This animation may only be used in support of a single legal proceeding and for no other purpose. Read our License Agreement for details. To license this animation for other purposes, click here.
If animation does not play, download and install the latest free Flash Player plugin.
Order by phone: (800) 338-5954 Item #ANCE00183 — Source #1136
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.
"For us, the defining feature of effective demonstrative evidence is
whether, by itself, the piece will tell the story of the case. Medical legal
Art provides our firm with illustrations and animations that are clear and
persuasive. Their exhibits tell the story in a way that allows the jury to
understand a very complex subject, very quickly."
James D. Horwitz Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder, P.C. Bridgeport, CT
"Our firm was able to settle our case at an all day mediation yesterday and
I am confident that the detail and overall appearance of the medical
illustrations significantly contributed to the settlement. When we require
medical illustrations in the future, I will be sure to contact [MLA]."
Noel Turner, III
Burts, Turner, Rhodes & Thompson
Spartanburg, SC
"Your firm is great to work with and, most importantly for me, you get the
job done on time and with the utmost professionalism. You should be proud of
all those you employ, from KJ to Ben B. I've been especially pleased over
the years with the work of Brian and Alice, both of whom seem to tolerate my
idiosycratic compulsion to edit, but I've not found a bad apple in the bunch
(and, as you know, I've used your firm a bunch!).
I look forward to our continued professional relationship."
Kenneth J. Allen Kenneth Allen & Associates
Valparaiso, IN
"Whether it's demonstrating a rotator cuff tear, neck movement a few
milliseconds after rear impact, or a proposed lumbar fusion, the Doe Report
represents an instant on-line database of medical illustration for
health-care and legal professionals.
Illustrations can be purchased 'as is' or modified within hours and sent
either electronically or mounted on posterboard. An illustration is worth a
thousand words, as juries perk up and look intently to capture concepts
that are otherwise too abstract. Start with good illustrations, a clear and
direct voice, a view of the jury as 12 medical students on day one of
training, and your expert testimony becomes a pleasure, even on cross
examination. An experienced trial lawyer should also emphasize these
illustrations at the end of trial, as a means of visually reinforcing key
concepts covered.
As a treating physician, I also use these accurate illustrations to educate
my own patients about their medical conditions. The Doe Report is an
invaluable resource, and its authors at MLA have always been a pleasure to
work with."
Richard E. Seroussi M.D., M.Sc.
Diplomate, American Boards of Electrodiagnostic Medicine and PM&R
Seattle Spine & Rehabilitation Medicine
www.seattlespine.info
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.
