preoperative preparation

Last reviewed 01/2018

The preoperative preparation of the patient for appendicectomy should entail:

  • keeping the adult patient nil by mouth for at least 4 hours prior to anaesthesia
  • positioning a nasogastric tube if there is:
    • vomiting
    • signs of peritonitis
  • intravenous access with fluid resuscitation in response to the deficit as judged by history and examination
  • antibiotic prophylaxis