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Appendectomy - Medical Animation
MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: Removal of the appendix, called appendectomy, is performed when appendicitis is suspected. Right lower abdominal pain, fever, and elevated white blood cell count are common symptoms and signs of appendicitis, which usually occurs when a blockage develops between the appendix and the intestine. This leads to infections, swelling, and distension. If the appendix is not removed it can lead to a life threatening perforation or rupture. The most common treatment for appendicitis is appendectomy, which is almost always performed on an emergency basis. Laparoscopic techniques require only tiny keyhole incisions or puncture wounds. To get inside your abdomen, your surgeon will make a small keyhole incision near your belly button, known as an umbilical port, with a tube called a trocar. Gas will then be pumped through this port to puff up your abdomen so its contents can be viewed more easily. Next, your surgeon will insert a laparoscope through this port. The laparoscope is a thin tube with a tiny camera on the end of it that projects images onto a monitor to guide your surgeon's work. Using the laparoscope, your surgeon will examine images of your appendix on the monitor to confirm that it's red and swollen. If your appendix needs to be removed, additional ports will be created. Your surgeon will pass surgical instruments through these other ports to grasp the appendix. Another instrument will be used to separate the appendix from the intestine and close the ends with staples. The appendix will be placed into a specimen bag and removed through one of the ports. At the end of the procedure, the laparoscope and surgical instruments will be removed. A port valve will be left in place briefly to allow the gas to escape from the abdomen. The incisions will be closed with sutures, followed by skin glue or skin closure tape. If your appendix can't be removed laparoscopically, your surgeon will switch to an open procedure. Reasons for switching to an open procedure include-- an extensive infection or abscess, a perforated appendix, which means there is a hole in it, obesity, dense scar tissue from previous abdominal surgery, difficulty viewing the organs with the laparoscope, and bleeding problems during the operation. An open appendectomy is done directly through a slightly larger abdominal incision over your appendix or through a lower midline incision as needed. The surgeon will tie off the appendix with sutures and remove it. Then, the incision will be closed with sutures or staples.
"I wanted to take some time out to let you know what a wonderful job you did
with the 'collapsed lung/fractured rib' illustrations. They were both
detailed and accurate. My medical expert was comfortable working with them
and he spent at least an hour explaining to the jury the anatomy of the
lungs, the ribs and the injuries depicted in the illustrations. Needless to
say, the jury was riveted to the doctor during his testimony.
The jury returned a verdict for $800,000.00 and I'm sure we would not have
done so well if not for the visualizations we were able to put forth with
your assistance. Lastly, my special thanks to Alice [Senior Medical
Illustrator] who stayed late on Friday night and patiently dealt with my
last minute revisions."
Daniel J. Costello
Proner & Proner
New York, NY
"It is my experience that it's much more effective to show a jury what
happened than simply to tell a jury what happened. In this day and age where
people are used to getting information visually, through television and
other visual media, I would be at a disadvantage using only words.
I teach a Litigation Process class at the University of Baltimore Law Schooland use [Medical Legal Art's] animation in my class. Students always saythat they never really understood what happened to [to my client] until theysaw the animation.
Animations are powerful communication tools that should be used wheneverpossible to persuade juries."
Andrew G. Slutkin Snyder Slutkin & Kopec Baltimore, MD
"I wanted to thank you for the terrific job you did illustrating my client's
injuries. The case was settled at the pre-suit mediation, and I believe a
good part of the success we had was due to the medical legal art you
prepared.
Your work received the ultimate compliment at the conclusion of the mediation. The hospital risk manager took the exhibit with them at the
conclusion of mediation, and will be using it to train nurses on how to
prevent bed sores..."
Steven G. Koeppel Troy, Yeslow & Koeppel, P.A. Fort Myers, FL
"I thought you might want to know that after we sent a copy of your
illustration to the defendants, with a copy to
the insurance company, they increased their offer by an additional million
dollars and the case was settled for $1,900,000.00.
I appreciate your help!"
O. Fayrell Furr, Jr.
Furr, Henshaw & Ohanesian
Myrtle Beach, SC
www.scmedicalmalpractice.com
Medical Legal Art creates medical demonstrative evidence (medical
illustrations, drawings, pictures, graphics, charts, medical animations,
anatomical models, and interactive presentations) for use during legal
proceedings, including research, demand letters, client conferences,
depositions, arbitrations, mediations, settlement conferences, mock jury
trials and for use in the courtroom. We do not provide legal or medical
advice. If you have legal questions, you should find a lawyer with whom you
can discuss your case issues. If you have medical questions, you should seek the advice of a healthcare provider.
