Abdominal exploration

Definition

Abdominal exploration is surgery to examine the abdomen (belly area). Surgery that opens the abdomen is called a laparotomy. Laparotomy may also be done to treat certain health problems and conditions.

Alternative Names

Laparotomy; Exploratory laparotomy

Description

The abdomen contains many organs:

• Stomach
• Small intestine (jejunum and ileum)
• Large intestine (colon)
• Liver
• Spleen
• Gallbladder
• Pancreas
• Uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries (in women)
• Kidneys, ureters, and bladder

Some problems inside the abdomen can be easily diagnosed with imaging tests such as x-rays and CT scans, but many problems require surgery to obtain an accurate diagnosis.

An abdominal exploration (laparotomy) is done while you are under general anesthesia, which means you are asleep and feel no pain during the procedure. 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 issue. A biopsy can be taken during the procedure. This surgery may also be used to treat diseased areas of the abdomen.

Indications

Abdominal exploration may be used to help diagnose many diseases and health problems, including:

• Inflammation of the appendix (acute appendicitis)
• Inflammation of the pancreas (acute or chronic pancreatitis)
• Pockets of infection (retroperitoneal abscess, abdominal abscess, pelvic abscess)
• 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 outside of the uterus (ectopic pregnancy)

This surgery may also be used to determine the extent of certain cancers, such as Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Risks

Risks for any anesthesia include the following:

• Reactions to medications
• Problems breathing

Risks for any surgery include the following:

• Bleeding
• Infection

Additional risks include incisional hernia.

Expectations after surgery

The outcome from the surgery depends upon the findings.

Convalescence

Usually, patients can resume normal eating and drinking about 2 - 3 days after the surgery. How long you stay in the hospital depends on the severity of the underlying problem. Complete recovery usually takes about 4 weeks.