That got me thinking. Despite appendectomy being one of the surgical topics we cover in our workshops, we haven’t devoted a newsletter issue to it since 2013.
It turns out that, although appendectomy is a common procedure (performed more than 300,000 times annually in the U.S.) and has been around for almost 300 years (see below), the research world is still learning more about appendicitis and appendectomy. Scroll down to learn more.
And read on for an all-new crossword puzzle, jobs we’ve collected for you, and NIFA’s favorite links.
Take care.
Appendicitis / Appendectomy
The first record of a successful appendectomy dates from 1735, at St. George’s Hospital in London, when a surgeon removed the perforated appendix of an 11-year-old boy who had swallowed a pin. (Read more in History of Medicine, The Mysterious Appendix, from Columbia University.) At left is a photo of an appendectomy at the French Hospital in Tblisi, Georgia, in 1919.
Most appendectomies, of course, are done to treat appendicitis—inflammation of the appendix—rather than because people make a habit of swallowing pins. According to the Merck Manual, more than 5 percent of the U.S. population develops appendicitis at some point. The standard treatment is treatment with antibiotics plus appendectomy, either through an open incision in the belly (laparotomy) or through smaller incisions with the help of cameras (laparoscopy). Some cases may be treatable with antibiotics alone.
Photo: Appendectomy at the French Hospital in Tiflis (Dartigues 1919). Public domain.
News
Acute Appendicitis Does Not Quarantine: Surgical Outcomes of Laparoscopic Appendectomy in COVID ?19 Times
This project studied the effects of delay in consultation on postoperative outcomes of acute appendicitis. This new (July 2020) report appeared in the British Journal of Surgery, Wiley Online Library.
Read more . . .
First Incisionless Appendectomy
A manufacturer of minimally invasive devices announced in June its first incisionless appendectomy, in which their device attached to a traditional, standard endoscope, which “helps stabilize the device’s movements and the surrounding organ, allowing the procedure to be performed completely within the intestine.”
Read more . . .
The Case Against Appendectomies
Long considered a useless vestige of evolution, “the appendix is turning out to contain biologically useful tissue that may help prevent nasty gastrointestinal ills,” writes Jane E. Brody, in this New York Times article.
Read more . . .
Long-term Follow-up of Antibiotics for Appendicitis
But not all medical professionals support the idea of avoiding appendectomies when possible. A retired surgeon writing in Physician’s weekly believes “Treating appendicitis with antibiotics is the number 1 risk factor for needing a subsequent appendectomy.”
Videos
Laparoscopic Appendectomy
The Mount Sinai Surgical Film Atlas Laparoscopic Appendectomy provides a step-by-step, narrated instructional video about the procedure. Watch video . . .
Open Appendectomy
Open Appendectomy for acute appendicitis from MovieSurg.com. Available at YouTube, or on the Moviesurg.com website, where it appears with detailed treatment remarks.
In the Spotlight: Stephanie Filali Moutei
Stephanie Filali Moutei, Admissions Assistant at NIFA, has now had her writing featured in two books and is cutting back to part-time work at our office as she launches her nonprofit program, the My Fairy Godmother Project (visit it on Facebook or Instagram). It is a resource center connecting victims of domestic abuse with the resources they need to get out safely.
A survivor of domestic abuse, Stephanie wrote about her experience in the book “Ready to Fly: Stories of Strength and Courage to Inspire Your Journey Forward, Volume 1,” compiled by Crystal Blue. The book is an anthology of writings by “women who have thrived through personal traumas and found their path upward.” A third volume in the series has just been published, and it includes another chapter by Stephanie, this time focusing on a rape she experienced at age 17. (She wrote both chapters under the pseudonym Jennifer Knoble.) Click here to see ways to order the books.
“When you are undergoing domestic abuse, you’re not very resourceful,” Stephanie says. “You can only see one step ahead. Sometimes victims are brainwashed and told all the reasons they can’t leave. It really helps to have someone who can guide and talk you through it, help you realize that there are options, that you don’t have to stay. I wanted to create a safe place for women in that situation. I’m a really resourceful person, and wanted to create this for others who may not have the resources.”
Read more . . .
Autologous Tissue Management Crossword Puzzle
Test your knowledge of Autologous Tissue Management procedures with this month’s all-new crossword puzzle.
When you’re ready to check your answers, follow this link to see how well you did. Good luck!
NIFA – Office Hours
Monday-Thursday, 8:00am – 4:00pm
Friday, 8:00am – 3:00pm
Practice Resources
Here are several of the most-in-demand sites for our students, prospective students and grads:
MD Edge Surgery News: Specialty News and Commentaries, Videos and More
RNFA Scope of Practice by State (PDF)
ACS List of Cases that Require an Assistant at Surgery, 2018 (PDF)
Perioperative Nurse Links (state nursing boards & professional associations)
APRN Nurse Links
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this newsletter are strictly those of their respective authors and do not necessarily represent the views of NIFA. NIFA does not give any express or implied warranty as to the accuracy of statements made by our contributors and does not accept any liability for error or omission. It is the responsibility of all perioperative personnel to work within and adhere to their facility bylaws and individual scope of practice.
