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Abdominal exploration

Exploratory surgery; Laparotomy; Exploratory laparotomy

 

Abdominal exploration is surgery to look at the organs and structures in your belly area (abdomen). This includes your:

  • Appendix
  • Bladder
  • Gallbladder
  • Intestines
  • Kidney and ureters
  • Liver
  • Pancreas
  • Spleen
  • Stomach
  • Uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries (in women)

Surgery that opens the abdomen is called a laparotomy.

Description

 

Exploratory laparotomy is done while you are under general anesthesia. This means you are asleep and feel no pain.

The surgeon makes a cut into the abdomen and examines the abdominal organs. The size and location of the surgical cut depends on the specific health concern.

A biopsy can be taken during the procedure.

Laparoscopy describes a group of procedures that are performed with a tiny camera placed inside the abdomen. If possible, laparoscopy will be done instead of laparotomy.

 

Why the Procedure is Performed

 

Your doctor may recommend a laparatomy if imaging tests of the abdomen, such as x-rays and CT scans , have not provided an accurate diagnosis.

Exploratory laparotomy may be used to help diagnose and treat many health conditions, including:

  • Cancer of the ovary, colon, pancreas, liver
  • Endometriosis
  • Gallstones
  • Hole in the intestine (intestinal perforation)
  • Inflammation of the appendix ( acute appendicitis )
  • Inflammation of an intestinal pocket ( diverticulitis )
  • Inflammation of the pancreas ( acute or chronic pancreatitis )
  • Liver abscess
  • Pockets of infection (retroperitoneal abscess, abdominal abscess , pelvic abscess)
  • Pregnancy outside of the uterus ( ectopic pregnancy )
  • Scar tissue in the abdomen ( adhesions )

 

Risks

 

Risks of anesthesia and surgery in general include:

  • Reactions to medicines, breathing problems
  • Bleeding, blood clots, infection

Risks of this surgery include:

  • Incisional hernia
  • Damage to organs in the abdomen

 

Before the Procedure

 

You will visit with your health care provider and undergo medical tests before your surgery. Your provider will:

  • Do a complete physical exam.
  • Make sure other medical conditions you may have, such as diabetes, high blood pressure , or heart or lung problems are under control.
  • Perform tests to make sure that you will be able to tolerate the surgery.
  • If you are a smoker, you should stop smoking several weeks before your surgery. Ask your provider for help.

Tell your provider:

  • What medicines, vitamins, herbs, and other supplements you are taking, even ones you bought without a prescription.
  • If you have been drinking a lot of alcohol, more than 1 or 2 drinks a day
  • If you might be pregnant

During the week before your surgery:

  • You may be asked to stop taking drugs that make it hard for your blood to clot. Some of these are aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), vitamin E, warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), or ticlopidine (Ticlid).
  • Ask your doctor which drugs you should still take on the day of your surgery.
  • Prepare your home for your return from the hospital.

On the day of your surgery:

  • Follow your provider's instructions about when to stop eating and drinking.
  • Take medicines your provider told you to take with a small sip of water.
  • Arrive at the hospital on time.

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

You should be able to start eating and drinking normally about 2 to 3 days after the surgery. How long you stay in the hospital depends on the severity of the problem. Complete recovery usually takes about 4 weeks.

 

 

References

D'Souza RE, Novell R. Laparotomy: elective and emergency. In: Novell R, Baker DM, Goddard N, eds. Kirk's General Surgical Operations . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2013:chap 4.

Squires RA, Postier RG. Acute abdomen. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery . 19th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 47.

 
  • Digestive system - illustration

    The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.

    Digestive system

    illustration

  • Pelvic adhesions - illustration

    Pelvic adhesions are bands of scarlike tissue that form between two surfaces inside the body. Inflammation from infection, surgery, or trauma can cause tissues to bond to other tissues or organs.

    Pelvic adhesions

    illustration

  • Abdominal exploration - series

    Presentation

  •  
    • Digestive system - illustration

      The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.

      Digestive system

      illustration

    • Pelvic adhesions - illustration

      Pelvic adhesions are bands of scarlike tissue that form between two surfaces inside the body. Inflammation from infection, surgery, or trauma can cause tissues to bond to other tissues or organs.

      Pelvic adhesions

      illustration

    • Abdominal exploration - series

      Presentation

    •  

    A Closer Look

     

      Talking to your MD

       

        Self Care

         

          Tests for Abdominal exploration

           

             

            Review Date: 2/27/2016

            Reviewed By: Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, general surgery practice specializing in breast cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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