Health Guide

	Health Encyclopedia
	Lab Tests

Drug Guide

	DrugNotes
	Spanish DrugNotes
	Detailed Drug Information
	Alternative Medicine

Images

Digestive syste

Pelvic adhesion

 

Abdominal exploration

Definition

Abdominal exploration is surgery to examine the contents of the abdomen. 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

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.

Why the Procedure Is Performed

The abdomen contains many organs:

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

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

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

• Cancer of the ovary, colon, pancreas, liver
• Endometriosis
• Hole in the intestine (intestinal perforation)
• Inflammation of the appendix (acute appendicitis)
• Inflammation of the fallopian tubes (salpingitis)
• Inflammation of an intestinal pocket (diverticulitis)
• Inflammation of the pancreas (acute or chronic pancreatitis)
• Pockets of infection (retroperitoneal abscess, abdominal abscess, pelvic abscess)
• Pregnancy outside of the uterus (ectopic pregnancy)
• Scar tissue in the abdomen (adhesions)

Risks

Risks of any anesthesia include the following:

• Severe medication reaction
• Problems breathing

• Bleeding
• Infection

After the Procedure

The outcome from the surgery depends upon the findings.

Outlook (Prognosis)

You should be able to start eating and drinking normally about 2 - 3 days after the surgery. How long you stay in the hospital depends on the severity of the problem. Complete recovery usually takes about 4 weeks.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

---