About the surgery

You have had keyhole surgery in the abdomen.
During the surgery, we found that:

☐ your appendix was inflamed
☐ your appendix was inflamed and had perforated into the abdominal cavity
☐ your appendix was inflamed and there was an abscess in the abdominal cavity

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During the surgery, you received:

☐ antibiotics and do not need any further treatment
☐ antibiotics and must continue with intravenous antibiotics (through a cannula) for 3 days after the surgery
☐ antibiotics and must take antibiotic tablets for 3 days after the surgery. If you are given Metronidazole, you should not drink alcohol for 3 days after your last dose, as it may cause flushing, nausea, vomiting and severe headache.

Discomfort or pain

Continue taking pain relief

You should continue taking pain relief as long as you are in pain. For most people, this is about 3 days. We recommend that you take the medicine at fixed times for 3 days after the surgery:

Do not take ibuprofen if you have chronic bowel disease (Crohn’s disease), have had a stomach ulcer, or if your own doctor advises against it for other reasons.

In some cases, you may need stronger pain relief, which you will receive to take home from the hospital.

You may have shoulder pain

After the surgery, some people experience pain in the right shoulder. This is because air was pumped into the abdominal cavity during the procedure. The air can irritate the diaphragm, which may feel like shoulder pain. This is normal and will go away on its own after a few days. The more you get up and move around, the faster the pain will disappear. A heat pad can also help relieve the pain.

Care and hygiene

Eat and drink as usual

After the surgery, you may eat and drink as you normally do.

Only take showers 

After 24 hours, you may take a shower. However, you must avoid swimming in the sea, taking a bath or going to a swimming pool for the first 10 days, as this increases the risk of infection.

Use a plaster if needed

You do not need to wear a plaster when you return home. If there is fluid coming from the wound, you can apply a plaster. You can also use a plaster if you feel the need for other reasons. If you use a plaster, you must change it every day and if it gets wet.

Avoid constipation

If you have not had a bowel movement 2–3 days after the surgery, we recommend that you take 2 tablets of Magnesia before going to bed. Magnesia is available over the counter. Remember to drink plenty of fluids – ideally 1½–2 litres per day – and to stay as active as possible. If you get diarrhoea, you must stop taking Magnesia.

Take your usual medicine after the surgery

If you were taking regular medicine before the surgery, you can continue taking it as usual. 

Help your body recover

After your surgery, movement, diet, smoking and alcohol all play an important role in how quickly you regain your strength and how well your wound heals. 
You can read about how to support your recovery at www.bispebjerghospital.dk/patientguiden (in Danish only). Search for 'livsstil' (lifestyle).

Movement and rest

Return to your daily activities

When you return home, you may resume your usual daily activities and move around as you normally do. Listen to your body and take a break if you feel pain that is not relieved by your pain medicine.

Avoid heavy lifting

You must avoid heavy lifting until your stitches have been removed.

Resume sexual activity when you are ready

You can resume sexual activity when you feel ready and have the energy. It will not harm you, but listen to your body if you feel pain around the wound.

Practical information

Important precautions for the first 24 hours

After having general anaesthesia, there are some precautions you must follow during the first 24 hours. Please note that you:

• must not drive a car or other vehicles 
• must not operate machinery
• should not drink alcohol.

Stitch removal

You must have your stitches removed by your own doctor 10–12 days after the surgery, unless you are told otherwise. You need to book the appointment yourself.

Sick leave

Whether you need sick leave depends on your individual situation. If you do need sick leave for a period, you can get a sick leave notice from your own doctor.

You may need a follow-up appointment

After the surgery, we will assess whether you need a follow-up appointment. If we have not already scheduled an appointment at the hospital, you will receive one via Digital Post or regular post.

When to seek medical attention

Contact us if you notice signs of infection (Open phone contact)

During the first 3 days after the surgery, you can contact Kirurgisk Modtageafsnit KMO (Surgical Admissions Unit (KMO)) directly without calling your own doctor first. We call this open phone contact. Please contact us if you experience:

• redness, warmth, swelling or tenderness around the wound
• increasing pain 
• a temperature above 38°C

If it happens more than 3 days after the surgery, please contact your own doctor or call the emergency helpline 1813 outside your doctor’s opening hours.