| A laparotomy is a surgical incision into the abdomen in order to view its internal organs including the stomach, small and large intestine, kidneys, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and parts of the female reproductive system. The procedure is used for exploratory purposes, to take samples of abdominal tumors for cancer staging, to make or confirm a diagnosis, and to repair internal organs damaged due to disease or trauma.
Although a laparotomy is a common procedure, its use has declined in recent years due to improvements in noninvasive diagnostic procedures such as medical imaging and sonography. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| A laparotomy is frequently performed as an exploratory procedure to assist in determining a cause of abdominal pain. Other reasons for laparotomy include making an accurate identification and/or removal of malignant or benign growths (neoplasms), identifying an ectopic pregnancy (a fertilized egg that is trapped in the fallopian tube), correcting twisted intestines (volvulus), taking samples (biopsies) of abdominal tissue or tumors in order to determine the stage of a cancer, draining infection, and stopping bleeding.
A laparotomy is performed when internal organs such as the appendix, intestines, esophagus, stomach, colon, or gallbladder are torn apart (perforated) due to disease or trauma. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| The individual is given a general anesthesia. An incision is made in the lower abdominal area. Incisions can be midline between the breastbone (sternum) and lower abdomen (pubis) or transverse across the lower part of the abdomen, depending on the suspected condition or area of trauma. However, in the individual with unclear pathology or diffuse symptoms, a midline incision is used for complete abdominal exploration.
The incision reaches down through the skin and muscle layers and is spread open so the abdominal cavity can be directly visualized. After the source of the problem is located and corrected using standard surgical procedures, the incision is closed with surgical thread (suture) or metal staples. The problem may not be able to be corrected during the laparotomy, and a subsequent surgery may be necessary. If the stomach or intestines are affected, the individual may have a rubber or plastic tube inserted through the nose and esophagus into the stomach to drain the contents while the affected area heals. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| The outcome following a laparotomy depends on the underlying reason for surgery, the individual's general health condition, extent of tissue damage, age, obesity, loss of blood due to trauma and any other disorders such as emphysema or heart disease. Complete recovery typically takes approximately 4 weeks. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| Complications include allergy or abnormal responses to anesthesia, unintentional perforation of an organ, excessive bleeding, wound or systemic infection, or internal scarring and chronic pain. If peritonitis is present and not treated rapidly, it can lead to multisystem failure and death. Delayed laparotomy in the instance of trauma can lead to excessive or fatal bleeding. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| No restrictions or special accommodations are necessary for healthy individuals resuming light to medium work. Resumption of heavy work and lifting should be delayed until healing is complete and medical clearance received. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| Marx, J. A., et al., eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier, Inc., 2004. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor