What is the surgical removal of the appendix called?

What is the surgical removal of the appendix called? The answer is appendectomy. An appendectomy is an operation that removes the vermiform appendix, a narrow, finger-shaped pouch attached to the cecum at the beginning of the large intestine. It is most commonly performed to treat appendicitis, when the appendix becomes inflamed and risks perforating.

Surgeons can perform the procedure through an open operation using one larger incision or laparoscopically through several small incisions with a camera and specialized instruments. Laparoscopic surgery often means smaller scars and a shorter recovery, although the best approach depends on the patient’s condition and the surgeon’s judgment.

The appendix is not essential for normal digestion, and most people live normally without it. The term appendicectomy is also used, particularly in British English. Appendectomy should not be confused with colectomy, which removes part of the colon; cholecystectomy, which removes the gallbladder; or tonsillectomy, which removes the tonsils. In some cases, antibiotics may be considered, but surgery remains a standard treatment for many cases of acute appendicitis.