What's a Laparoscopic Appendectomy?

When a child has appendicitis, the appendix is blocked and infected and needs to be removed.

A laparoscopic appendectomylets surgeons remove the appendix with the help of a tiny video camera called a laparoscope. It lets them see inside the body while looking at a special TV monitor.

The surgeon makes a small incision (cut) in the belly button and inserts the thin tube of the laparoscope. The laparoscope acts as the surgeon's "eyes" as it is guided to the appendix. The surgeon makes two more small incisions for the medical instruments.

Using the instruments, the surgeon carefully cuts the appendix away from the large intestine and removes it. The incisions are closed with dissolvable stitches and covered with small bandages.