Laparotomy is an operation involving a surgical incision in the anterior abdominal wall. It has other names, such as abdominal surgery, but it is referred to as abdominal surgery. Such an incision of the skin and muscles is necessary for the examination and subsequent treatment of the abdominal organs, a laparotomy is performed and for the diagnosis of problems associated with abdominal pain. As a rule, identified 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 abdominal surgery, the purpose of which is to open access to the 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 were not able to cope with it, the person simply died. Only with the development of antiseptics, doctors were able to significantly reduce the mortality among patients and apply this procedure much more often. Its development is associated with the name of Joseph Lister, whotook surgery to a whole new level. But laparotomy was still not very common. Only from 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 the abdominal organs are solved with its use. And modern antiseptic preparations almost completely exclude the occurrence of sepsis. In addition, such a surgical intervention leaves a slight scar, although healing is a long process.
Reason for holding
Usually, people who come to the hospital with abdominal pain are diagnosed easily. Standard tests and ultrasound are prescribed, but sometimes there is a need for a detailed study. The surgeon may need to pinpoint the location of a sudden break in the ulcer (perforation) or identify the cause of internal bleeding. A laparotomy is a great way to determine the exact cause of a person's complaints and prescribe the right treatment.
Before surgery
When the doctor has decided to perform this type of procedure, he needs to collect as much useful information about the patient as possible. Therefore, in order to avoid unpleasant consequences, answer the questions of the surgeon as reliably as possible. This also applies to lifestyle and habits, medication or diet. Before the operation, the doctor informs about 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 abstain from food for some time, and he 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 full 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 incisions are mainly used:
- Transverse, along the "bikini" line, it is considered cosmetic, as it is almost invisible. This operation is also called a Pfannenstiel laparotomy.
- Vertical, from the navel to the womb. It is used only in emergency situations, as it is very convenient for doctors.
After the organs become visible, they are carefully examined. If the surgeon managed to identify the problem, they solve it right there, but if the case is complicated,
may require a second operation. When finished, sutures are applied.
Recovery period and possible complications
After the patient returns to the room, he will be prescribed a dose of pain medication and daily bandaging. For the first two or three days, nutrition should be provided only by intravenous 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 operation when recovery is in progressslowly but surely, on average, the process takes from one to one and a half months. Complications rarely occur. These include infection, bleeding, scar tissue formation, and 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 this is where laparotomy is good. Feedback from people after operations suggests that the scar is small. It's 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 surgery that does not require an incision, but not all clinics can afford expensive equipment and highly qualified specialists who can handle it.
