Abdominal exploration

Alternative names:

exploratory laparotomy; laparotomy

Definition:

Surgery to open the abdomen (laparotomy), to explore (exploratory laparotomy), examine, and treat problems.

Description:

The abdomen contains many vital organs: the stomach, the small intestine (ileum), the large intestine (colon), the liver, the spleen, the gallbladder, the pancreas, the uterus, the Fallopian tubes, the ovaries, the kidneys, the ureters, the bladder, and many blood vessels (arteries and veins). Some problems inside the abdomen can be easily diagnosed, but many require surgery to "explore" the abdomen (exploratory laparotomy).

While the patient is deep asleep and pain-free (general anesthesia), the surgeon makes an incision into the abdomen and examines the abdominal organs. Tissue samples (biopsies) can be taken and diseased areas can be treated. When the treatment is complete, the incision is closed.

Indications:

An exploratory laparotomy may be recommended when there is abdominal disease from an unknown cause (to diagnose).

Diseases that may be discovered by exploratory laparotomy include:

• inflammation of the appendix (acute appendicitis)
• inflammation of the pancreas (acute or chronic pancreatitis)
• pockets of infection (retroperitoneal abscess, abdominal abscess, pelvic abscess))
• presence of uterine tissue (endometrium) in the abdomen (endometriosis)
• inflammation of the Fallopian tubes (salpingitis)
• scar tissue in the abdomen (adhesions)
• cancer (of the ovary, colon, pancreas, liver)
• inflammation of an intestinal pocket (diverticulitis)
• hole in the intestine (intestinal perforation)
• pregnancy in the abdomen instead of uterus (ectopic pregnancy)
• to determine the extent of certain cancers (Hodgkin's lymphoma)