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Appendectomy Center - Metairie, LA

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Metairie, Louisiana

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Appendectomy

What is the appendix?

The appendix is a closed-ended, narrow tube that attaches to the cecum (the first part of the colon) like a worm. (The anatomical name for the appendix, vermiform appendix, means worm-like appendage.) The inner lining of the appendix produces a small amount of mucus that flows through the appendix and into the cecum. The wall of the appendix contains lymphatic tissue that is part of the immune system for making antibodies. Like the rest of the colon, the wall of the appendix also contains a layer of muscle.

What is appendicitis?

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. It is thought that appendicitis begins when the opening from the appendix into the cecum becomes blocked. The blockage may be due to a build-up of thick mucus within the appendix or to stool that enters the appendix from the cecum. The mucus or stool hardens, becomes rock-like, and blocks the opening. This rock is called a fecalith (literally, a rock of stool). At other times, the lymphatic tissue in the appendix may swell and block the appendix. Bacteria which normally are found within the appendix then begin to invade (infect) the wall of the appendix. The body responds to the invasion by mounting an attack on the bacteria, an attack called inflammation. (An alternative theory for the cause of appendicitis is an initial rupture of the appendix followed by spread of bacteria outside the appendix.. The cause of such a rupture is unclear, but it may relate to changes that occur in the lymphatic tissue that line the wall of the appendix.)

If the inflammation and infection spread through the wall of the appendix, the appendix can rupture. After rupture, infection can spread throughout the abdomen; however, it usually is confined to a small area surrounding the appendix (forming a peri-appendiceal abscess).

Sometimes, the body is successful in containing ("healing") the appendicitis with...

Recommended Reading Related to Appendectomy

The Digestive System »

Digestion Introduction

"Just a spoonful of sugar... " goes the song. But what happens to that sugar once you swallow it? In fact, how is it that you are able to swallow it at all? Your digestive system performs amazing feats every day, whether you eat a double cheeseburger or a stalk of celery. Read on to learn what exactly happens to food as it makes its way through your digestive system.

What Is Digestion?

Digestion is the complex process of turning the food you eat into the energy you need to survive. The digestion process also involves creating waste to be eliminated.

The digestive tract (or gut) is a long twisting tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the anus. It is made up of a series of muscles that coordinate the movement of food and other cells that produce enzymes and hormones to aid in the breakdown of food. Along the way are three other organs that are needed for digestion: the liver, gallbladder, and the ...

Emergency Contact for Metairie

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Metairie Hospitals *

Tulane-Lakeside Hospital
4700 I-10 Service Rd
Metairie, LA 70001
(504)780-8282

Ochsner Foundation Hospital
1516 Jefferson Hwy
New Orleans, LA 70121
(504)842-3000

East Jefferson General Hospital
4200 Houma Blvd
Metairie, LA 70006
(504)454-4000

LSU Hospital
2021 Perdido St
New Orleans, LA 70112
(504)903-3000

St Teresa Specialty Hospital
4200 Houma Blvd
Metairie, LA 70006
(504)780-3041

Ochsner Baptist Medical Center
2700 Napoleon Ave
New Orleans, LA 70115
(504)899-9311

Southeast Louisiana Veterans Healthcare System
1601 Perdido St
New Orleans, LA 70112
(800)935-8387

De Paul Tulane Behavioral Health Center
1415 Tulane Ave
New Orleans, LA 70112
(504)988-5800

Tulane University Hospital & Clinic
1415 Tulane Ave
New Orleans, LA 70112
(504)588-5263

River Oaks Hospital
1525 River Oaks Rd W
New Orleans, LA 70123
(504)734-1740

Community Care Hospital
1421 General Taylor St
New Orleans, LA 70115
(504)899-2500

St Charles Surgical Hospital
1717 St Charles Ave
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504)529-6600

Children's Hospital
200 Henry Clay Ave
New Orleans, LA 70118
(504)899-9511

Kindred Healthcare New Orleans
3601 Coliseum St
New Orleans, LA 70115
(504)899-1555

Touro Infirmary
1401 Foucher St
New Orleans, LA 70115
(504)897-7011

New Orleans Adolescent Hospital
210 State St
New Orleans, LA 70118
(504)897-3400

St Joseph of Harahan Hospital
405 Folse St
Harahan, LA 70123
(504)738-7676

West Jefferson Medical Center
1101 Medical Center Blvd
Marrero, LA 70072
(504)347-5511

Louisiana Specialty Hospital
1111 Medical Center Blvd
Marrero, LA 70072
(504)349-2470

Ochsner Medical Center Westbank
2500 Belle Chase Hwy
Gretna, LA 70056
(504)392-3131

Ochsner Medical Center Kenner
180 W Esplanade Ave
Kenner, LA 70065
(504)468-8600

United Medical Healthwest Rehabilitation Hospital
3201-B Wall Blvd
Gretna, LA 70056
(504)433-5551

Specialty Hospital of New Orleans
14500 Hayne Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70128
(504)210-3000

Luling Rehabilitation Hospital
1057 Paul Maillard Rd
Luling, LA 70070
(985)331-2281

St Charles Parish Hospital
1057 Paul Maillard Rd
Luling, LA 70070
(985)785-6242

LaPlace Rehabilitation Hospital
508 W Fifth St
La Place, LA 70068
(985)653-8447

River Parishes Hospital
500 Rue De Sante
La Place, LA 70068
(985)652-7000

Southeast Louisiana Hospital
23515 Highway 190
Mandeville, LA 70448
(985)626-6300

Louisiana Medical Center & Heart Hospital
64030 Highway 434
Lacombe, LA 70445
(985)690-7500

Lakeview Regional Medical Center
95 E Fairway Dr
Covington, LA 70433
(985)867-3800

Doctors Hospital of Slidell
989 Robert Blvd
Slidell, LA 70458
(985)690-8200

Slidell Memorial Hospital & Medical Center
1001 Gause Blvd
Slidell, LA 70458
(985)643-2200

Gulf States LTAC Covington
20050 Crestwood Blvd
Covington, LA 70433
(985)875-7525

NorthShore Regional Medical Center
100 Medical Center Dr
Slidell, LA 70461
(985)649-7070

Ochsner St Anne General Hospital
4608 Highway 1
Raceland, LA 70394
(985)537-6841

Regency Hospital of Covington
195 Highland Park Plz
Covington, LA 70433
(985)867-3977

Greenbrier Hospital
201 Greenbrier Blvd
Covington, LA 70433
(985)893-2970

St Anne Rehabilitation Hospital
141 Twin Oaks Dr
Raceland, LA 70394
(985)537-7736

St Tammany Parish Hospital
1202 S Tyler St
Covington, LA 70433
(985)898-4000

St James Parish Hospital
1645 Lutcher Ave
Lutcher, LA 70071
(225)869-5512

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