Appendectomy (Appendix removal)

An Appendectomy is a procedure to treat appendicitis, a painful swelling of the appendix. The appendix is a small, thin pouch about 5 to 10cm connected to the large intestine.

Causes of Appendicitis 

You can get appendicitis at any age but it is most common in children and young people aged between 10 and 30 years. Nobody knows exactly what the appendix does, but removing it is not harmful.

The Procedure

Removal of the appendix is a very common procedure, usually done laproscopically (keyhole surgery), whereby several small cuts are made in the abdomen, allowing special surgical instruments to be inserted.

Open surgery, where a larger, single cut is made in the abdomen, is usually used if the appendix has burst or access is more difficult.

Post-Operative Recovery

It usually takes a couple of weeks to make a full recovery after your appendix has been removed. If you have open surgery it may take 2 to 4 weeks.

Need Help?

Appendectomy surgery is available at One Ashford Hospital in Kent and One Hatfield Hospital in Hertfordshire.

You can use your private medical insurance or pay for your Appendectomy (Appendix removal) treatment. We offer competitive, fixed price packages. If you are using your health insurance, please contact your insurer first for approval and let them know you’d like to be treated at One Hatfield Hospital.

Why One Hatfield

• Modern purpose-built hospital opened in December 2017
• 0% and low finance options**
• Fast access to diagnostics including MRI, X-ray and Ultrasound
• Private, spacious, en-suite rooms
• Specialist physiotherapy and nursing teams
• Little or no waiting time
• ‘Ultra clean air’ theatres
• Freshly prepared food
• Calm, dignified experience

**Terms and conditions apply

Contact us and find out more

If you are based in and around Hertfordshire, St Albans, Stevenage, Watford, Barnet, North London, Welwyn or Bedfordshire and would like to visit the One Hatfield Hospital please click here.