Surgical experts have warned against granting approval for voluntary removal of the appendix when it is not inflamed to avoid complications associated with surgery.
They said though such request was possible, but that a very cogent reason must be established before such a surgical procedure could be carried out.
According to Mayo Clinic, an online health site, the appendix is a small pouch attached to the intestine and it is located in the lower-right abdomen, while appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix.
It notes that appendicitis causes pain in the lower right abdomen, but that in most people, pain begins around the navel and then moves to other areas.
“As the inflammation worsens, appendicitis pain typically increases and eventually becomes severe. Your doctor’s recommended treatment plan for appendicitis will most likely involve antibiotics, followed by surgery to remove the appendix, which is known as appendectomy,” Mayo Clinic explained.
A neurosurgeon at the Ahmadu Bello Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Kaduna, Dr Ajayi Abass, said an appendix could be considered for removal when it was inflamed or diseased.
He said, “I don’t think it is necessary for one to just request for surgical removal of the appendix. Aside from the fact that some people might need to have prophylactic appendectomy, which is the surgical removal of an appendix, there is really no reason for the removal.
“For those travelling to remote parts of the world, especially to mountainous regions or on missions, and have fears that if they develop appendicitis, the risk of not getting appropriate surgical care is high, they may request for voluntary removal of the appendix.”
Ajayi said the appendix was not a useless organ as many had been made to believe, as it contained immune cells that help to fight infections in the intestines.
“The appendix is useful in certain reconstructive neurological surgeries like in the urinary tract,” he added.
The neurosurgeon said there was no specific known cause for appendicitis and that it was a common surgical emergency that could happen to anyone.
He, however, said it occurred more in young adults possibly due to heightened activities.
Ajayi stated, “There are some factors that can predispose an individual to develop appendicitis. Those who have had the condition and used antibiotics can still develop it in the future.
“There is no particular susceptibility, but it has been noted that it is rarely seen in children and very elderly persons, probably due to the size of their intestines.
“It is found more in young adults, possibly because that is the age of high activity. They eat a lot of things and the immune cells around the appendix might swell up and cause blockage of the appendix tube. Once it is blocked, it gets infected and the infection will cause appendicitis.”
On how to detect appendicitis and avoid it from becoming a medical emergency, he urged individuals to visit the hospital as soon as they feel any pain in the lower right side of the abdomen.
He said, “Majorly, when you notice you have pain in your abdomen, especially at the lower right side, quickly see a doctor to get appropriate treatment.
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