Pronounced: LAP-uh-ROT-uh-mee
This is an open surgery of the abdomen to view the organs and tissue inside.
This procedure is done to evaluate problems in the abdomen.
Problems that may need to be examined with an exploratory laparotomy include:
Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a laparotomy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the procedure.
Leading up to your procedure:
The doctor will make one long incision in the skin on your abdomen. The organs will be examined for disease. The doctor may take a biopsy . If the problem is something that can be repaired or removed, it will be done at this time. The opening will be closed using staples or stitches.
About 1-4 hours
Anesthesia will prevent pain during the procedure. For pain and soreness after surgery, you will get medicine.
Several days—If you have problems, you may need to stay longer.
It may take several weeks for you to recover.
After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
In case of an emergency, call 911.
RESOURCES:
American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp/
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/index.htm/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Digestive Health Foundation
http://www.cdhf.ca/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php
References:
Abdominal exploration. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia website. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002928.htm. Updated October 2008. Accessed August 8, 2009.
Carson-DeWitt R. Spinal and epidural anesthesia. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=81. Updated July 2009. Accessed August 8, 2009.
Laparoscopic surgery. Women's Surgery Group website. Available at: http://www.womenssurgerygroup.com/treatments/laparoscopic.asp. Accessed August 8, 2009.
Testing biopsy and cytology specimens for cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ped/content/ped_2_3x_testing_biopsy_and_cytology_specimens_for_cancer.asp?sitearea=ped. Updated December 2007. Accessed June 5, 2008.
Last reviewed October 2009 by Marcin Chwistek, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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