Enema before Appendicitis surgery?

One of my female friends last night came down with appendicitis. She was taken to the hospital and was given an enema. Is that a standard procedure done before appendix surgery? Also is inserting a urethral catheter before her surgery normal too?

When I had appendicitis surgery I had no enema. But that was more than 35 years ago and surgical techniques have changed.

I had my "appy" in 1957 at age 12. My Ped. told mom to give me a qt. of tap water before taking me to Children's Hosp. for my surgery. Back then, EVERYONE going for any surgery that called for a general anesthetic, got a pre-op. enema. Usually a qt. SSE.

I later read in some medical books to NEVER do that for fear of having the appendix burst from the pressure of the enema.

"50% of what you learn in medical school is wrong, but we don't know which half is right."

Eric

I had mine out in 66 and no enema before surgery but they sure as hell made sure I was "squeaky clean" when I went home!

Had mine taken out a couple of years ago. No enema. Did have a catheter but apparently done after I was put under.

Update: I asked this because my friend specifically said to me, "They gave me something in my vagina that made me feel like I was going to pee myself" I don't know if that was an enema or a catheter. Usually catheters are administered under anesthesia but she was conscious when she said this. So that's why I'm asking. What's more normal? An enema or a catheter insertion while awake before appendiceptomy?

I don't know about enemas but I know when I had appendectomy many moons ago I woke with with a catheter that I didn't recall being present when I went down.

I can't imagine having enema when suffering with pain of appendicitis and not sure they would.

Over 40+ years of nursing, no enema before a diagnosis of appendicitis. Rarely during a workup with vague symptoms, a barium enema might have been ordered but it was rare. With the advent of Ct scans and ultrasounds, easier diagnosis.

A urinary cath is used when laproscopic appie is done It's to deflate the bladder before the scope is inserted.

Pt's usually go home in a day or so, so BM is on their own.

Years ago when people weee in the hospital for days after surgery, after the third day without a BM, a SSE or tap water was given.

I just had an emergency appendectomy this week. By the time surgery came around I hadn't had food or water for about 16 hours (I did have a saline IV), and they just made sure I emptied my bladder before taking me downstairs.

If I hadn't voided on my own post surgery, they would have given me a catheter before letting me leave. I was expecting similar with a BM and enema, but they just sent me home with stool softeners and said to use a suppository if things didn't get moving on their own.

All in all the experience didn't live up to my fetish expectations, but honestly I was just glad to go home healthy.

But I did keep my gown for personal use. 😃

They use to back in the 50's and 60's that was part of the prep. I had my appendix out in the 1989 and the only prep I got was to shave the surgical area. When I woke up later in my hospital room I wasn't even catherized either, because I remember having to pee so bad I kept calling the nurses with my call button I really thought I was going to have a accident because they were taking so long to respond, then a nurse finally came and gave me a bedpan to go in. I was only in the hospital for 3 days but never received an enema 😢 and sent me hope with a rx for a stool softener and pain pills for the pain.

I was 7. Got tonsils out. Night before surgery a nurse gave me a big enema. My first. Wow what a feeling.

When I was 16, I stuffed myself with a couple of footlong hotdogs after football practice. I hung out with friends until quite late, and went home with horrible gut pains. My parents had just got home also. My mom figured I was just constipated/impacted and I found myself receiving a couple of large enemas as I desperately needed relief.

While I had learned to enjoy enemas by then, these enemas were truly needed under the circumstances. I was in no position to get satisfactory enjoyment. Needless to say, I suffered all night and didn't sleep. By morning, my mom finally called the doctor. I heard one side of the discussion and mom told the doctor she had given me a couple of enemas.

I was told that I was to get dressed for a trip to the ER. At the ER, I was poked, prodded, and quizzed about my circumstances. I was asked if the enemas had given me any relief and I answered that they had not. After discussing my abdominal pain, enemas, and all manner of health issues, I was wheeled into a prep room. There I was shaved totally and told that my appendix was the likely culprit. Since I hadn't eaten anything else for nearly 18 hours, no more enemas were advised. My white cell count was through the roof.

I had my appendix removed in the 60's, the old fashioned way. The incision was about 5 inches long. I languished in the hospital for several days and had to be catheterized several times to pee. After 3 days, I still hadn't pooped, and not allowed to eat until my bowels were functional. My mom was irritated as it appeared I'd be there for a few more days. She was constantly telling the nurses to give me an enema.

This occurred in front of 3 other guys in the ward. Two were much older, and the other just about my age. The two older guys said they expected an enema any time because they had hemorrhoid surgery and couldn't go without the help. The other kid had no clue what to expect himself.

Finally, enema day came about. The bubbly nurse came into the ward and announced that we'd all be getting an enema that morning. She would be doing the honors and each of our doctors had given the okeydokey. The old guys got theirs first. It was apparently a painful thing due to their surgery. They shared their complaints with all in proximity.

My turn came up and the nurse quietly said she knew I was experienced with enemas and asked if I would be a good example for the other kid who was apprehensive. She prepared a soapy enema in front of us both and drew the curtain as she had me roll to my side. She rubbed me down with lotion and was quite vocal asking how I was feeling. She lubricated me and inserted the tubing. As the flow started, she asked again if that was comfortable. I found that enema very comfortable and my involuntary reactions didn't disagree.

In any case, when it was finished, I emptied and got a favorable inspection of the results. I was going to go home that afternoon. I listened to my roomie get his enema and he was no worse for the wear. I reminded myself discretely, that an enema would still work for my libido.

Mom wasn't done with me after I was convalescing at home. I got to eat, but sure was kept regular while taking those pain killers.

It depends on the situation. I had been to taken out my appendix at my 4 but no enema was given to me, because it already has been ruptured so it was an urgent operation. But a friend of mine got the enema before his operation and doctors often used to empty the bladder with catether because of safety - some organs can be moved during the operation and it is much safer to have the bladder empty.

I just had an emergency appendectomy this week. By the time surgery came around I hadn't had food or water for about 16 hours (I did have a saline IV), and they just made sure I emptied my bladder before taking me downstairs.

As I recall, my female friend said she was given a liquid that made her feel like she was going to pee. And that she had an IV tube that went into her vagina but when saying that, she pointed to her arm IV port, so I don't know if that was a catheter or not as usually they would not cathetertize while conscious right?

Clark, the "peeing your pants" feeling comes from the IV contrast medication we inject for a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis. CT is the "gold standard" for diagnosing appendicitis. It makes you warm fingertips to toenails, can cause a metallic taste, and almost everyone says they felt like they were peeing in their pants! I ALWAYS warn my patients about those sensations so they don't freak out about it. EVERY CT tech should warn their patients about these normal reactions! I've been doing X-ray for 45 years, CT scans almost 10 years.

Catheters are often placed while the patient is awake, and most patients don't get a Foley catheter. They're usually unnecessary and can cause urinary tract infections, an exrta problem which can easily be avoided.

I've not heard about anyone getting an enema before any belly surgery in MANY, MANY years. They simply aren't needed! An enema or a suppository may be used several days after surgery if the patient's bowels haven't "wakened" and produced a BM. I had major belly surgery in late Sep this year, including removal of almost 2 feet of small and large bowel segments, and was given a Dulcolax suppository after about 3 days. Half an hour later I started farting, but no BM. Another half hour later I suddenly filled my diaper! I couldn't move fast enough due to pain to reach the toilet. No problem, though, as the nurses had seen all this before and simply cleaned me up and changed me to a clean diaper!

Hope this helps a bit. Binkey

I had my appendix out some 40 years ago. The night before I was feeling awful so I did an enema myself to see if it would help. It didn't, so next morning I went to the college clinic where I was diagnosed as having appenticitus. Off to the hospital and surgery that evening. Never received an enema or catheter although I could of used the catheter As soon as I was awake after surgery I had to pee badly and was asking to go when I got the container to pee in. I did get the catheter when I went for a colon resection done while I was under. It was quite a shock to wake up with the catheter in place. I did not think it was very erotic at the time but now would look forward to having it done while I was awake just to see what it was like. I was discharged after a few days and went home to discover I had a purple penis!It shocked me so I called the doctor. The nurse said that was normal and would go away in time which it did.

Clark, the "peeing your pants" feeling comes from the IV contrast medication we inject for a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis. CT is the "gold standard" for diagnosing appendicitis. It makes you warm fingertips to toenails, can cause a metallic taste, and almost everyone says they felt like they were peeing in their pants!

Awesome, thank you for the insightful answer ! That must have been what it was. Either way I thougt it was kind of erotic haha. Appreciate the feedback.

I didn't get an enema prior to my operation. I recall having a surgeon pop her finger in my bottom and examine my tummy and external genitals. Didn't have any scan just blood tests and went to theatre. I was little at the time so guess they didn't want to use CT and it was late at night so again assume ultrasound department wasn't open.

I am just curius other than the obvious symptoms is constipation one of the symptoms of appendicitis? I know not the place for medical information etc. etc, sorry guys but just reading the posts here seems to be one thing all have in common so was just curious. Please accept my apologies if I have offended anyone. Just me

Can't speak for everyone but I had vomitting and diarrhoea rather then constipation but not sure what they"norm" is.

When I worked in a hospital in the late 80's it was standard practice for patients to have a more or less empty digestive system for ANY surgery. So patients weren't allowed food pre OP. Enemas were only given if the patient said they hadn't already had a regular bowel movement though. Surgery on the gastro-intenstinal tract required a more thorough cleansing.

With acute appendicitis it depends. When there's any danger that the appendix might burst, an enema might not be the best of ideas. Would be interesting to get some input by our medical professionals here. But as some users have posted, many people suffer from vomiting and diarrhoea with appendicitis, so there's no need to further empty your system.

When I worked in a hospital in the late 80's it was standard practice for patients to have a more or less empty digestive system for ANY surgery. So patients weren't allowed food pre OP. . . .

That was to prevent vomiting from the anesthesia.

Andrew1, For me, I had this painful pain that wouldn't go away. It was located, Find your belly button and go 2" to your right and then up 2" the sharpest pain was there and to a lesser degree the pain spread across my belly to my left side. I did have some diarrhea and bad nausea but I kept it down BC throwing up would have really hurt. They took my blood and found my white blood count up and did a DRE and cut the thing out of me. When I woke up I knew rite away the pain was gone and had a whole new pain from them cutting on me and that went away with time. No enemas or anything like that.

Hello.

I have no medical background but I can tell my own experiences when I had my appendix removed. Before surgery I got a tiny enema, an buttom injection and a suppository. I suppose injection and suppository were pre-medication for general anesthesia, but I'm not sure about that. After the surgery I had a bladder catheter for one or two days.

Kind regards.

Blume

I had no enema and no catheter when I had appendicits surgery. Maybe the reason is that I got a traditional belly incision and no modern laparoscopy.

I had both a tonsillectomy (about 1944) and an appendectomy (1961) and was never given an enema on either occasion that I remember, and would better remember the 1961 date with surgery. For the latter surgery I became very ill one night and crawled to a friend's house who took me to the college infirmary. A quick check by the doc earned me an ambulance ride to the nearest hospital and a hospital bed. I was given the usual high-fashion gown, shaven from nipples to dick and sent to the OR. I don't remember having been cathetered either. But I was pretty much out of it for several days, and it was long ago, so I may be mistaken.

I am just curius other than the obvious symptoms is constipation one of the symptoms of appendicitis?

I felt like I was constipated, but the feeling remained after normal bowel movements. I also felt some pressure on my bladder but it wasn't coming from my prostate and I still felt it after voiding. Most of the time I didn't feel anything at all -- just late at night I got enough pressure to wake me up thinking I needed to use the bathroom. I caught mine very early, so I actually felt much worse immediately after the surgery than I did before.

Once I had my surgery it took me 3-4 days to get my bowels moving again, and once they were going an enema helped me get past the backlog. After that it was just a matter of getting enough rest. I'm still a bit fatigued 5ish weeks later but even that is going away now.

I got one before my operation it wasn't an emergency though I think it can be dangerous if it is ruptured??

My wife and my daughter, 12 at the time, both had theirs out in the mid 80s. Neither got an enema before surgery. Back then they kept you in the hospital for 4 or 5 days. If you didn't have a bowel movement by that time they gave you a suppository. My wife couldn't wait. She requested an enema after the third day and lucky me got to watch the nurse administer it to her.