Laparoscopic Surgery (Appendicitis)

Operative findings seen by the optical system of a laparoscope. In the middle of the picture the appendix runs transversally from the left to the right with vasodilatation of the serosa. With the aid of laparoscopy the abdominal findings are very distinctly recognizable; magnification and survey are the main reasons for that. Not only the vessels of the serosa of the appendix are increased but also those of the parietal wall in the background. The acutely inflamed appendix is rigid, swollen, and shows on the left side of the constriction band a slight protrusion which corresponds to an alvine calculus. (I owe this picture to D. Cholewa, Department of Pediatric Surgery (Prof.Z.Zachariou), Inselspital CH-Bern).