The procedure to remove the appendix is called an appendectomy. This surgical operation is typically performed when a patient has appendicitis, an inflammation of the appendix that can cause severe abdominal pain and may lead to serious complications if left untreated. An appendectomy can be performed as an open surgery or using laparoscopic techniques, which are less invasive and often result in quicker recovery times. Patients usually return home within a day or two following the surgery, depending on the method used and their overall health condition.