Appendectomy – How Much Does Appendix Surgery Cost?

You’re probably thinking you have a problem with your appendix and will like to know the appendix surgery cost in Nigeria if you’re on this post. The truth is, the appendix surgery cost varies from hospital to hospital, especially among the private hospitals. The appendix surgery is medically called Appendectomy.

Appendectomy is the most common treatment for appendicitis – which is the inflammation of the appendix. It is the most common stomach pain related surgery in the United States of America, and it is mostly done in emergency situations to avoid the bursting of the appendix.

This article’s objective is to provide you with the current appendix surgery cost, otherwise called appendectomy. It will also provide you with pertinent information about appendix, appendicitis, and appendectomy.

What is Appendectomy?

Appendectomy is one of the many treatments available to relieve an individual who is plagued with stomach pain caused by appendicitis. It is the most common treatment for this condition and it involves the surgical removal of the appendix before it bursts and introduces bacteria to the gut, causing further problems.

It is usually done in cases of emergency, when the appendix is close to bursting. However, it is the most common and fastest treatment. It involves less risk to perform this surgery than most other surgeries and it improves the lives of the affected individuals than leaving appendix untreated.

Why is Appendix Surgery Necessary?

The purpose of appendix surgery is to remove the appendix when it is inflamed and swollen before it bursts and spills its content into the gut. Which may cause infection of the gut in a condition called Peritonitis.

When the appendix gets swollen, it continually gains size due to the multiplication of the bacteria it contains. This leads to the formation of pus which causes the pain in the lower right part of the abdomen and around the navel. When it approaches its breaking limit, which when reached, the organ bursts and introduces its content – fecal particles and bacteria into the gut, leading to infection of the gut, a more complex problem and more difficult to treat.

Appendectomy, helps to address the issue of appendicitis once and for all and helps to prevent the infection of the gut, saving the patient and doctor a grueling task of treating gut infection. Therefore, considering the safety, appendix surgery cost is irrelevant.

Does Appendix Surgery Affect Anything in the Body?

Appendix surgery – the removal of the appendix – has no negative impact on the body. As a matter of fact, recovery from this surgery is usually rapid and usually has no complications. This is probably due to the fact that it is one of the commonly performed surgeries around the world.

The Appendix is an organ that contains bacteria but its function is still unknown. The presence of bacteria is probably associated with the digestion but this is just speculation. Since its function in the body is not established and it has been removed at every complication it has caused in the body, it is safe to remove it than leave it in the body till it introduces its content into the gut.

Some individuals have claimed that they’ve had their appendix removed even though it has not caused them any problems. It is however unknown if this is acceptable in the medical profession.

Symptoms of Appendicitis

If you have the following symptoms, you may have an inflamed appendix. However, you may require further tests to ascertain the accuracy of this diagnosis.

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Constipation and Indigestion
• Loss of appetite
• Pain around the navel and the lower right abdomen
• Pain in the upper abdomen
• Low-grade fever.

While you may not experience all the symptoms above, or your fever may be slightly more severe, you may have appendicitis, with slightly different but similar symptoms.

Diagnosis of Appendicitis

Your doctor might need more tests to proof that you have an inflamed appendix before coming to a conclusion on your diagnosis. To reach a better judgement of your symptoms, some tests such as Complete blood count – which helps to eliminate the possibility that your symptoms are as a result of bacterial infection; Urine test – to eliminate the possibility that your symptoms are as a result of a urinary tract infection or that it may be kidney stones. Pelvic exams and pregnancy tests are also done to eliminate the possibility of ectopic pregnancy or pelvic inflammatory diseases.

However, when these possibilities have been eliminated, your doctor may have to do some abdominal imaging tests that can be done through CT scans, X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI scan.

Appendix Surgery Cost in Nigeria

Appendix surgery is a common surgery that does not have so much complications or risks attached to it. Therefore, it is not as costly as most surgeries. On average, a federal government owned hospital, popularly called General Hospital or State-owned hospital offer this surgery at a lower cost compared to private hospitals.

In government-owned hospitals, you may incur test costs that may run to about 30,000 to 50,000 naira, while the surgery itself is in the range of 50,000 to 70,000 naira only, making a total of about 80,000 to 120,000 naira. However, in a private hospital, that price may reach double of the government-owned hospital.

Appendix surgery cost is relatively affordable in government hospitals.

Appendicitis Treatment Alternative

Appendix surgery isn’t the only treatment available for appendicitis, although it is the most efficient and advisable. In cases where surgery isn’t the immediate option as decided by your doctor, treatments such as these are involved before ultimately performing the surgery.

• Pus drainage using needle
• IV fluids when you have to be off food
• Liquid diet
• Antibiotics

These treatments are usually done either after the appendix has burst and the bacteria it has introduced into the gut has to be taken care of first, or when the appendix is not fully inflamed and the patient needs to be off solid food prior to the surgery.

In summary, these treatments are not meant to remove the inflamed appendix, but help to reduce the pain and treat the infection the bacteria may cause before appendectomy.

Conclusion

Appendicitis is a common abdominal issue that is treated majorly with surgery. It is one of the most common surgeries performed in the world, with a lesser risk and complication percentage. The surgery performed to remove the appendix to avoid the infection of the gut by the bacteria it contains, is called appendectomy.

In Nigeria, the appendix surgery cost ranges between 80,000 naira and 120,000 naira in government hospitals, including tests, while private hospitals can be as high as 300,000 naira.