This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Finding appendix

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Once adequate access to the peritoneal cavity has been obtained, the appendix is delivered into the wound. Usually, this is achieved by insertion of an index finger laterally along the paracolic gutter, posterior to the caecum. The caecum is hooked and then drawn anteriorly. With the caecum delivered, then the taenia coli are followed distally until they converge at the appendix.

If the appendix is difficult to locate, the following should be considered:

  • grasping the caecum, ideally under direct view, with non-toothed forceps
  • tilting the patient so that the right side is more inferior
  • displacing loops of small bowel medially with a retractor
  • dividing the adhesions on the lateral side of the caecum if the appendix is potentially retrocaecal

To prevent prolapse of the appendix back into the wound, it is secured at the first opportunity with Babcock's tissue forceps. However, these should not be used to apply traction to the viscus as this may precipitate peforation.


Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.