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The following information is intended to provide parents with a clear explanation of how an appendectomy is performed on their child and what risks and aftercare measures they should be aware of. It supports families in accompanying the healing phase safely and recognising possible complications at an early stage.
As soon as the child is awake after the operation, it is allowed to drink something. If this is well tolerated, the child may also start to eat. As long as the child is not yet able to eat and drink enough, it will be given additional fluids via a venous access. No special diet is necessary in the further course of the operation.
The child may shower again from the 1st day after the operation. Bathing is only recommended after 1 week. The plastic plaster can be left in place for up to 7 days and only needs to be changed after showering if it has come loose or water has run under it. It is also necessary to change the plaster if it is visibly soiled.
How quickly a child is fit again and how long they have to stay in hospital varies from person to person and also depends on whether the appendix has burst or not. After uncomplicated appendicitis, the length of stay at UKBB is normally 2 to 3 days. If the child's appendix has burst, the child must stay in hospital for at least 5 days after the operation. The child will receive antibiotic therapy administered via the vein.
In order for a child to be discharged, it should
After discharge, an appointment should be made with a paediatrician 2 to 3 days later to check the wound. The stitches used during the operation dissolve by themselves so that no stitches need to be removed. The child can return to school or kindergarten when he or she feels well and no longer needs pain medication. This is usually the case around 1 week after the operation. Sports activities and lifting heavy weights should be avoided for the first 2 weeks after the operation.
Should the child after discharge
it is advisable to consult a paediatrician or call the UKBB on +41 61 704 12 12.
We wish your child all the best for the further healing process and a speedy recovery.
Every surgical procedure involves the risk of wound infection - even with the best possible technique and ideal conditions. For all surgical procedures at UKBB, all known precautionary measures are taken to prevent such infections.
In the interests of patient safety and quality control, wound infections following appendectomy are systematically recorded at UKBB as part of the joint national measurement programme of the National Centre for Infection Prevention (Swissnoso) and the National Association for Quality Development in Hospitals and Clinics (ANQ).
One month after the hospitalisation, a member of the UKBB staff will contact the parents by telephone and ask a few questions about the progress of the wound healing and the child's condition. With the parents' consent, further information will be obtained from the paediatrician or family doctor in individual cases.
No additional examinations are carried out for the monitoring programme and there are no additional costs for the patient or their health insurance company.
In principle, the personal data can only be viewed by the people at UKBB who are responsible for recording wound infections. Due to the review of data collection, individual data may be made accessible to Swissnoso employees within the hospital once a year as part of random sampling. All persons entrusted with the collection and control of patient data guarantee absolute confidentiality and secrecy. The data on the operation is not visible to other persons, or only in anonymised form.
Thank you for your support in recording the data. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the hospital hygiene staff on +41 61 704 27 80.
The Medgate Kids Line provides quick and uncomplicated medical advice if your child is unwell. The medical team of our partner Medgate is available to you by telephone around the clock.
For emergencies abroad: Call the emergency number of your health insurance company. You will find this number on your health insurance card.
More information: On the Page of the emergency ward you will find everything you need to know about behaviour in emergencies, typical childhood illnesses and waiting times.
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