Open up and say ahhhhhpendix: New surgery technique for appendectomy

Imagine having an appendectomy and being able to do sit-ups two days later. Doesn't seem likely, does it? When stomach muscles are cut, they often take weeks to heal. A San Diego man recently went under an unusual appendectomy, however, one that left his abdomen intact. Doctors removed his appendix through his mouth, a first time for this type of procedure.

During the surgery, surgeons went down through the esophagus into the stomach. The made a small incision in the stomach to access the appendix. A small cut was also made in the belly button for additional access. The patient reported that he had a mild sore throat but little other pain the day after surgery.

The procedure is not without risks, however, and so surgeons are working carefully to develop the technique.