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Appendicitis & Appendix Surgery

24×7 emergency evaluation and keyhole appendix removal — because appendicitis doesn’t wait for office hours, and neither do we.

Appendicitis

What is appendicitis?

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, a small finger-like pouch attached to the large intestine. It is one of the most common surgical emergencies at every age. Untreated, an inflamed appendix can rupture within days, spreading infection through the abdomen — which is why timely diagnosis matters more here than in almost any other abdominal condition.

Know the Signs

Experiencing any of these symptoms?

Common symptoms

  • ✓ Pain starting around the navel and shifting to the lower-right abdomen over hours
  • ✓ Pain worse on coughing, walking or pressing the area
  • ✓ Loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting
  • ✓ Low-grade fever
  • ✓ In children — irritability, refusal to eat, drawing up the legs

See a doctor urgently for

  • ✓ Severe or spreading abdominal pain
  • ✓ High fever with a rigid, board-like abdomen
  • ✓ Symptoms improving suddenly then worsening (possible rupture)

Emergency 24×7: 091551 00001

Diagnosis

How is it diagnosed?

Diagnosis combines clinical examination by an experienced surgeon with blood counts and ultrasound — all available in-house 24×7. CT is used selectively when the picture is unclear. Because we assess in one place, the time from door to diagnosis is short — and with appendicitis, hours matter.

Treatment Options

Your treatment options, honestly explained

Non-surgical management

Selected mild, early cases can occasionally be managed with antibiotics — but roughly one in three recur, and this suits only a narrow group. It is an honest option we discuss where appropriate, not a default.

Surgical treatment at Bawa Hospital

Laparoscopic appendectomy — removal of the appendix through three small keyholes — is our standard approach, including for many complicated cases. It means less pain, a shorter stay (usually 1–2 days), quicker return to school or work, and a much lower wound-infection rate than open surgery.

We recommend surgery only when it is genuinely the best option for you — and explain why, in plain language, before you decide.

Recovery

What recovery looks like

Day 0

Emergency evaluation, preparation and surgery — typically same day.

Day 1–2

Walking, eating and discharge for most uncomplicated cases.

Week 1

Back to school or desk work for most patients.

Week 2–4

Full normal activity; follow-up confirms complete recovery.

Timelines are typical for uncomplicated cases — your surgeon will give you a personalised plan.

Cost & Insurance

Transparent pricing, no surprises

What decides the cost?

The final cost depends on the technique used, the complexity of your case, the type of room you choose and your length of stay. After your consultation you receive a clear, itemised estimate — before you decide anything.

Using health insurance?

Bring your policy details or insurance card and our front-desk team will help you with the paperwork and coordination with your insurer from admission through discharge.

Serving North India

Patients travel to us from across the region

Bawa Hospital in Ludhiana treats patients from across Punjab — including Chandigarh, Mohali, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Patiala, Bathinda, Moga and Khanna — as well as Delhi NCR, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.

For outstation patients we plan the consultation, pre-operative tests and surgery to minimise trips — often completed in a single visit, with follow-up support on WhatsApp.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is appendicitis really an emergency?

Yes. The risk of rupture rises steeply after 48–72 hours of symptoms. A ruptured appendix turns a one-hour keyhole operation into treatment for abdominal infection with a longer stay. If the pain pattern fits, get seen the same day.

Can appendicitis be treated with antibiotics instead of surgery?

Sometimes, in selected early cases — but about a third come back with another attack, and antibiotics don’t suit complicated appendicitis. Surgery remains the definitive, once-and-done treatment.

Will my child be okay after appendix removal?

Completely. The appendix has no essential function, and children recover from keyhole appendectomy remarkably fast — often back at school within a week.

What if my appendix has already burst?

We still operate or drain as needed — laparoscopy is often still possible — with antibiotics and close monitoring. Recovery takes longer, which is exactly why coming early is better.

Medically reviewed by Prof. (Dr.) Ashvind Bawa, MS FACS — Director, Surgical Services · Last reviewed July 2026

Lower-right abdominal pain? Don’t wait

24×7 surgeon evaluation, in-house diagnostics and emergency keyhole surgery under one roof.