Appendicitis

Nebraska Medicine gastroenterologists diagnose and treat a variety of gastroenterology (GI) problems, including appendicitis. An appendicitis attack involves inflammation of the appendix and is a medical emergency. In this type of situation, Nebraska Medicine offers emergency treatment to safely remove the appendix. If you wait too long to seek treatment, your appendix can rupture and spill infectious material into the abdomen. Although the appendix produces a bacteria-destroying protein called immunoglobulins that help fight infection, its function is not essential.

Why choose Nebraska Medicine for the treatment of appendicitis:

A quick and accurate diagnosis

Since our gastroenterologists understand the symptoms of appendicitis, which can be vague and often may mimic other medical issues, they can quickly run the necessary tests to determine whether or not you have appendicitis. This way your doctor can safely remove the appendix before it bursts.

Minimally invasive options

To remove your appendix, our doctors always use minimally invasive surgical procedures. In fact, Nebraska Medicine is a pioneer in this field and has even perfected it, making surgery less demanding and more comfortable for each patient. The procedure involves making three very small incisions. Using specialized techniques such as miniature cameras with microscopes, tiny fiber optic lights and high definition monitors, surgeons can remove the appendix without requiring the patient to undergo major surgery or large incisions. Other benefits include less pain, less preoperative time, quicker return to normal activity, fewer complications and reduced risk of herniation or wound separation.

Our expertise and experience sets the standards

We have performed thousands of minimally invasive procedures with a success rate often three times better than the national average. Doctors at Nebraska Medicine have published papers about how to perfect minimally invasive procedures and make them safer for our patients. Because of our findings, centers around the country have changed how they perform these procedures. Our expertise and advanced training prevent possible complications.

Highly ranked care

Nebraska Medicine is ranked among the nation’s best. Each year, U.S. News and World Report surveys the nation’s roughly 5,000 hospitals to come up with the year’s list of Best Hospitals. Just 3 percent of the hospitals analyzed for Best Hospitals earn national ranking in even one specialty.

We are proud of our past recognitions as a high-performing hospital in Gastroenterology in the 2011-12 , 2013-14 and 2016-17 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals ranking as well as ranked nationally in Gastroenterology in the 2012-13 and 2014-15 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals ranking.