Summary:
One of the most common surgical emergencies globally is appendicitis. It appears that the incidence of appendicitis in North America has declined, but this is not so in other countries. In many developing countries, appendicitis still accounts for most surgical cases. For general surgeons, appendicitis can be a dilemma because the disorder frequently presents at night and during weekends. Fortunately, in most cases, appendicitis is uncomplicated and easily treated with a surgical procedure.
Objectives:
The goal of this continuing education program is to provide surgical technologists with information about how appendicitis presents, the role of surgery and possible complications. After you study the information presented here, you will be able to —
- Describe the anatomy of the appendix.
- Recognize the presentation of appendicitis.
- Discuss the complications of appendectomy.
- List the contraindications for laparoscopic appendectomy.
- Describe the surgical steps in both an open and laparoscopic appendectomy.
Approval Information
This course is intended for surgical techs.
This continuing education activity is approved for 1.75 CE credits by the Association of Surgical Technologists, Inc., for continuing education for the Certified Surgical Technologist and Certified Surgical First Assistant from April 1, 2012 through March 31, 2015. This recognition does not imply that AST approves or endorses any product or products that are discussed or mentioned in enduring material.