Anyone get their appendix out?

[captain58sailin]

While mine tried to kill me too, I don't hold a grudge. Spent 8 months after a hernia surgery trying to figure out why it wouldn't heal, nearly dead, when they pulled my appendix, I walked out the next day under my own power. If I had been at sea, I probably would have died, but that is a risk that I accept as a part of living on the ocean.

[Group9]

I flew on a rescue mission to retrieve a commercial fisherman with a bad appendix. It was a rough night and we flew over the boat all night because it was deemed a high risk rescue. We were on the radio all night with a doctor relaying his temperature ever 45 minutes while they hurried back to a port with the idea that if his temperature suddenly spiked, we were going to have to pull him off the boat and beat feet back to Miami. They finally made it into Matthewtown where a life flight was waiting.

On another occassion, when I was cruising in the Exumas, a young girl on a boat had to be airlifted out because of appendicitis. She only had a doctor attending her because there was a Canadian ER doctor who was on his boat and heard their call over the VHF, and sped out to their boat in the middle of the night on the high speed tender of a yacht that was near him. He ended up flying back to Miami with her on the life flight.

It made me think.

[zeehag]

if it works, dont fix it.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Lucky for me mine was taken out years ago, but the pain was intense and I was told I was lucky then for getting to the hospital on time.

I recently watched a classic old movie "The Ghost Ship" that in one part shows a merchant seaman operated on by the third mate while at sea for appendicitis.

But, would I have it removed peremptorily when planning a circ?

While it would remove one thing to worry about, I think there are much more likely things to worry about, so I would NOT worry about this to the point of extraction.

Much more likely one will suffer a broken limb or severe infection, IMO.

[zeehag]

post op infection is a greater concern than a spontaneous rupture of appy.
if it works dont fix it

[Group9]

I wouldn't remove it, but I sure would make sure I had a sat phone.

[robert sailor]

Originally Posted by zeehag

post op infection is a greater concern than a spontaneous rupture of appy.
if it works dont fix it

She is right boys, I had a hell of a time fighting a local bug and had to be opened up again and left that way. Took 3 months to recover, not something to take lightly.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by robert sailor

She is right boys, I had a hell of a time fighting a local bug and had to be opened up again and left that way. Took 3 months to recover, not something to take lightly.

From her background I would think she would know.

I'm for having the thing out, as a fer instance there are many more elective hysterectomies than you might think, once of a certain age, the thing has no use and can cause severe problems.

[bill352]

"Owing to the perceived increased risk of acute appendicitis during Antarctic expeditions, prophylactic appendectomy for those spending the winter has been mandatory in the Australian program since 1950.26 Whereas prophylactic removal of the appendix has been avoided for U.S. explorers, Russia, United Kingdom, France, Chile and Argentina have each used this policy intermittently.4 Because of its relatively reduced risk, there is no report of routine prophylactic cholecystectomy for Antarctic, submarine or space flight expeditions."

Full discussion here:

Prophylactic surgery prior to extended-duration space flight: Is the benefit worth the risk?

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by bill352

"Owing to the perceived increased risk of acute appendicitis during Antarctic expeditions, prophylactic appendectomy for those spending the winter has been mandatory in the Australian program since 1950.26 Whereas prophylactic removal of the appendix has been avoided for U.S. explorers, Russia, United Kingdom, France, Chile and Argentina have each used this policy intermittently.4 Because of its relatively reduced risk, there is no report of routine prophylactic cholecystectomy for Antarctic, submarine or space flight expeditions."

Full discussion here:

Prophylactic surgery prior to extended-duration space flight: Is the benefit worth the risk?

Thanks for sharing this. I found it interesting reading as it considers risks in Mars mission, Antarctic, ISS, and submarine living or voyages.

[Idle]

The crude incidence of appendicites is 140 in every 100.000 population. 75% of cases are younger than 34 years old. The peak incidence is in age group of 10-19.
So over precaution is a disease itself.

[RTB]

If any of you cruisers out there are popping Tums or Rolaids, get checked out by a doc. I've had two perforated ulcers in my lifetime. Without surgery on the second one, I'd be long dead.


We've cruised for two years, and the only medical problem aboard was that my wife came down with shingles. Not very pleasant. If you are over 50, and have had chicken pox, get the vaccination.

Are there any symptoms of a bad appendix?

Ralph

[Group9]

Originally Posted by Idle

The crude incidence of appendicites is 140 in every 100.000 population. 75% of cases are younger than 34 years old. The peak incidence is in age group of 10-19.
So over precaution is a disease itself.

Good point. Of all of the people I have know who have had to have it removed, I can't think of one who was over 30 when it happened.

[robert sailor]

I was 57 at the time

[Group9]

Originally Posted by robert sailor

I was 57 at the time

Well, thanks for shooting that theory down.