The appendix is a small pouch that is connected to the colon. Appendicitis is an infection of the appendix which can be life-threatening. When appendicitis occurs, the appendix can burst within the abdominal cavity, causing a serious infection. An appendectomy, or removal of the appendix, is the standard treatment for appendicitis. Danny Shouhed, M.D. is a board-certified gastrointestinal surgeon in Los Angeles who can perform an appendectomy for patients experiencing appendicitis.
Appendicitis can occur at any time and at any age. While it is common for children to have appendicitis and undergo an appendectomy, adults may experience this condition as well. Once symptoms of appendicitis occur, the appendix could rupture in as little as 72 hours. Appendectomy is one of the most common types of emergency surgeries performed on both children and adults.
Removing an infected appendix is a common surgery, but it still has risks of complications. Adults are more prone to serious complications from appendix removal surgery than children. The procedure can be performed with open surgery, which requires a 2-4 inch incision in the lower left abdomen to access the appendix and colon. It can also be performed laparoscopically, which can help reduce risks and speed recovery time.
Dr. Danny Shouhed specializes in robotic and minimally-invasive surgery, including laparoscopic appendectomy. Using tiny incisions in the lower left abdomen, Dr. Shouhed can remove an infected appendix without the need for a large incision or scar. This can reduce the risk of excessive bleeding or infection, plus reduce scarring on the stomach.
If you or your child need an appendectomy in the West Hollywood or Los Angeles area, request the surgical services of Dr. Danny Shouhed. Whenever possible, Dr. Shouhed uses minimally-invasive surgical methods to reduce the risks of an appendectomy while shortening the hospital stay and recovery time. Contact our office in Los Angeles if you need an experienced GI surgeon for an emergency appendectomy.