Editing Appendix (anatomy) (section)

===Surgery===

{{Main|Appendectomy}}

The surgical removal of the appendix is called an [[appendectomy]]. This removal is normally performed as an emergency procedure when the patient is suffering from [[acute (medical)|acute]] appendicitis. In the absence of surgical facilities, [[intravenous]] [[antibiotics]] are used to delay or avoid the onset of [[sepsis]]. In some cases, the appendicitis resolves completely; more often, an inflammatory mass forms around the appendix. This is a relative [[contraindication]] to surgery.

The appendix is also used for the construction of an efferent urinary conduit, in an operation known as the [[Mitrofanoff procedure]],<ref name=mingin>{{cite journal | vauthors = Mingin GC, Baskin LS | title = Surgical management of the neurogenic bladder and bowel | journal = International Braz J Urol | volume = 29 | issue = 1 | pages = 53–61 | year = 2003 | pmid = 15745470 | doi = 10.1590/S1677-55382003000100012 | url = http://www.brazjurol.com.br/january_february_2003/Baskin_ing_53_61.htm | doi-access = free }}</ref> in people with a [[neurogenic bladder]].

The appendix is also used as a means to access the colon in children with paralysed bowels or major rectal sphincter problems. The appendix is brought out to the skin surface and the child/parent can then attach a catheter and easily wash out the colon (via normal defaecation) using an appropriate solution.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.healthpoint.co.nz/default,169125.sm;jsessionid=1CD66A058B10550C51041E477C8E7075|title=Wellington Children's Hospital: Caring for an ACE or Chait Tube: Healthpoint|access-date=22 December 2016|archive-date=16 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016171448/https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/public/paediatrics/wellington-childrens-hospital-paediatric/caring-for-an-ace-or-chait-tube/|url-status=dead}}</ref>