Laparotomy is an operation involving a surgical incision of the anterior abdominal wall. It has other names, such as
abdominal surgery, and refer it to
abdominal surgery. Performing such a cut of the skin and muscles is necessary for research and subsequent treatment of abdominal organs, a laparotomy is performed and for the diagnosis of problems associated with abdominal pain. As a rule, detected defects or deviations are corrected during the operation, but sometimes a second intervention is required.
History and Development
The word itself, translated from Greek, means laparotomy, the purpose of which is to open access to internal organs with subsequent treatment. In the old days, laparotomy was considered extremely dangerous. They tried not to resort to it at all. This is primarily due to the infection, since the doctors did not know how to cope with it, the person simply died. Only with the development of antiseptics, doctors were able to significantly reduce mortality among patients and apply such a procedure much more often. Its development is associated with the name of Joseph Lister, who brought surgery to a new level. But laparotomy was still not too common. Only since the end of the 19th century, such operations began to be carried out everywhere. At the moment, this is the most common procedure in medical practice, and it is with it that the practical training of specialists begins. Any problems associated with abdominal organs are solved with its use. And modern antiseptic drugs almost completely eliminate the occurrence of sepsis. In addition, such surgical intervention leaves a minor scar, although healing is a long process.
Reasons for
Typically, people who come to the hospital with abdominal pain are not diagnosed with difficulty. Standard tests and ultrasound are prescribed, but sometimes there is a need for a detailed study. The surgeon may need to pinpoint the site of the sudden breakthrough of the ulcer (perforation) or to identify the cause of internal bleeding. Laparotomy is a great way to determine the exact causes of a person’s complaints and prescribe the right treatment.
Before surgery
When the doctor decided to carry out this type of procedure, he needs to collect as much useful information as possible about the patient. Therefore, in order to avoid unpleasant consequences, answer the surgeon's questions as reliably as possible. This also applies to lifestyle and habits, medication or diet. Before the operation, the doctor reports on the need for a number of procedures, and also gives a prognosis for the postoperative period. Laparotomy is primarily an action on the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, so the patient must refrain from eating for some time, and they can also be given an enema. Next, the anesthesiologist must make sure that the person is ready for surgery.
Process description
All actions are carried out under complete anesthesia. The surgeon, in order to ensure the visibility of all the internal organs he needs, makes only one incision. In traditional medicine, only two types of cuts are used mainly:
- Cross, along the line of "bikini", it is considered cosmetic, since it is almost invisible. This operation is also called laparotomy according to Pfannenstiel.
- Vertical, from the navel to the bosom. It is used only in emergency situations, as it is very convenient for doctors.
After the organs became visible, they are thoroughly examined. If the surgeon managed to fix the problem, they solve it right away, but if the case is complicated,
repeated surgery may be required. At the end of the stitching.
Recovery period and possible complications
After the patient returns to the ward, he will be prescribed a dose of pain medication and daily dressing. The first two to three days, nutrition should be made only by intravenous administration of fluids. After a successful operation, you need to breathe deeply and stretch your legs, after a week you need to add short walks. Laparotomy is the type of surgery when recovery is slow, but true, on average, the process takes from one to one and a half months. Complications are rare. These include infection, bleeding, the formation of scar tissue, abdominal pain. Although the latter is directly related to the processes of wound healing. The presence of a scar sometimes worries people, especially women, but it is in this regard that a laparotomy is good. Reviews of people after operations suggest that the scar is small. It is easy to hide. But such is the laparotomy according to Pfannenstiel, while the vertical incision has a less aesthetic appearance. There is a similar type of operation where an incision is not required, but not all clinics can afford expensive equipment and highly skilled specialists who can handle it.