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Can an appendectomy be performed during a cesarean section?

Jun 17, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Lu
Introduction
A normal cesarean section primarily aims at delivering the fetus and suturing the uterus. As the surgical incision site differs from the location of the appendix, performing an appendectomy simultaneously would require either enlarging the existing incision or making an additional incision, thereby increasing the surgical trauma area, prolonging the operation time, and raising the risk of infection. It may also interfere with uterine contraction and affect postpartum recovery. Therefore, under normal circumstances, it is not recommended to perform both procedures concurrently.

Cesarean section, also known as cesarean delivery, generally does not recommend simultaneous appendectomy. It is only considered to perform appendectomy during cesarean delivery if acute appendiceal lesions such as suppuration or perforation are discovered during the operation, following appropriate evaluation. If there are concerns, it is recommended to seek medical consultation in advance. Detailed explanation is as follows:

The primary objectives of a routine cesarean delivery are fetal delivery and uterine suturing. The surgical incision used in cesarean delivery is located at a different anatomical site than the appendix. Performing appendectomy concurrently would require either enlarging the existing incision or making an additional incision, thereby increasing surgical trauma, prolonging operative time, and raising the risk of infection. It may also interfere with uterine contraction and postpartum recovery. Therefore, under normal circumstances, combining these two procedures is not recommended.

If acute appendicitis is identified during cesarean delivery, performing appendectomy at this time is considered an "emergency intervention." This is because delaying the appendectomy until after delivery could increase the risk of worsening appendicitis, perforation, and the need for a second surgery, which would impose additional physical burden on the mother. In such cases, obstetricians and surgeons should jointly evaluate the patient's general condition and severity of inflammation. If surgical safety can be ensured, the inflamed appendix should be removed simultaneously to prevent disease progression.

Postoperative care for the mother should focus on infection prevention and recovery support. Close monitoring of abdominal signs is necessary to ensure proper healing of all surgical wounds.

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What three types of food should be avoided after appendectomy?
Spicy hot pot contains a large amount of spicy seasonings such as chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns. After surgery, the intestinal function is relatively weak; consuming these can irritate the intestinal mucosa, increase the burden on the intestines, potentially cause discomfort such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, and affect wound healing. French fries are high-fat, hard-to-digest foods. After surgery, digestive capacity has not fully recovered; consuming them can slow intestinal motility.
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What Three Types of Vegetables Should Not Be Eaten During the Recovery Period After Appendectomy?
Spicy hot pot contains a large amount of chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, and other pungent seasonings, which are highly irritating. The intestinal mucosa remains delicate during the recovery period, and consumption can cause strong intestinal stimulation, possibly leading to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and hindering the recovery of intestinal function. Celery has coarse and tough fibers, which become firm and difficult to chew after quick stir-frying. During the recovery phase, intestinal motility and digestive capacity have not yet fully returned to normal, and consumption may easily cause intestinal motility disorders.
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How long after appendix surgery can one eat candy?
Patients generally can consume candy about 1 to 2 weeks after appendectomy. If gastrointestinal function recovers slowly after surgery, or symptoms such as abdominal distension or indigestion occur, the time for eating candy may be delayed, for example until around 2 weeks post-operation. These patients have weaker intestinal motility, and consuming sugar too early may加重 the gastrointestinal burden and cause discomfort; therefore, they should wait until their intestinal function has fully recovered before consuming candy.
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How long after appendectomy can one resume physical labor?
If the surgical wound is large, an open abdominal surgery is performed, or complications such as infection or poor wound healing occur after surgery, the required convalescence may be longer, for example, 3 to 4 weeks post-operation. Patients in this category recover more slowly, and engaging in physical labor too early may lead to wound dehiscence or increased physical strain. Labor should not be resumed until the wound has fully healed and basic physical functions have recovered.
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How long after appendectomy can one eat barbecue?
If the surgical wound is large, an open abdominal surgery was performed, or gastrointestinal function recovers slowly after surgery, the time required before being able to eat barbecue may be longer, such as 5 to 6 weeks post-operation. Barbecue foods are greasy and difficult to digest; patients with weakened gastrointestinal function may experience increased digestive strain, leading to discomfort such as bloating and abdominal pain if consumed too early. It is advisable to wait until gastrointestinal function has fully recovered before consuming small amounts.
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How long after appendectomy can one swim?
If the surgical wound is large, an open abdominal surgery was performed, or complications such as infection or poor wound healing occur after surgery, the time required before resuming swimming may be longer, such as 6 to 8 weeks post-operation. Patients in this category require more time for wound recovery. Due to the complex water quality in swimming pools, swimming too early may easily lead to wound infection. Swimming should be postponed until the wound is fully healed and physical function has recovered satisfactorily.
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How long after appendectomy can one take a shower?
Patients generally can take a shower 7 to 10 days after appendectomy. If the surgical wound is large, an open abdominal surgery was performed, or the wound heals slowly, showering may need to be delayed until 9 to 10 days postoperatively. In these patients, wound recovery tends to be slower, and getting the wound wet too early may easily lead to infection. Patients should wait until the wound has completely healed and all scabs have fallen off before showering, and should avoid direct water pressure on the wound.
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