Laparotomy is a normal surgical operation or a dangerous intervention?

Laparotomy is an operation that involves a surgical incision of the anterior abdominal wall. It has other names, for example, a canal operation, but refer to abdominal surgery. This skin and muscle incision is necessary for research and subsequent treatment of abdominal organs, laparotomy is also performed to diagnose problems associated with abdominal pain. As a rule, identified defects or abnormalities are corrected during the operation, but sometimes repeated intervention is required.

History and development

The word itself in Greek means "belly-crossing", the goal of which is to open access to internal organs with subsequent treatment. In earlier times, the operation of laparotomy was considered extremely dangerous. We tried not to resort to it at all. This is primarily due to infection, because doctors could not cope with it, a person was simply dying. Only with the development of antiseptics, doctors have the opportunity to significantly reduce mortality among patients and apply this procedure much more often. Its development is connected with the name of Joseph Lister, who brought surgery to a new level. But the laparotomy was still not too common. Only at the end of the 19th century such operations began to be carried out everywhere. At the moment this is the most frequent procedure in medical practice, and it is from this that practical training of specialists begins. Any problems associated with the abdominal organs are solved with its application. And modern antiseptic drugs almost completely exclude the appearance of sepsis. In addition, such a surgical intervention leaves a slight scar, although healing is a long process.

Reasons for conducting

Usually, the diagnosis of people who turn to the hospital with abdominal pain does not cause complications. Assigned standard tests and ultrasound, but sometimes there is a need for detailed research. The surgeon may need to determine precisely the site of a 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 operation

When a doctor decides 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 surgeon's questions as accurately as possible. This applies to the characteristics of lifestyle and habits, taking medication or diet. Before the operation, the doctor reports the need for a number of procedures, as well as gives a forecast for the postoperative period. Laparotomy - is primarily an action on the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, so the patient must for some time refrain from food, and also he can put an enema. Next, the anaesthesiologist must make sure that the person is ready for the operation.

Process description

All actions are performed under complete anesthesia. The surgeon, in order to ensure the visibility of all the necessary internal organs, produces only one incision. In traditional medicine, basically only two types of cuts are used:

• Crosswise, along the line "bikini", it is considered cosmetic, since it is almost invisible. This operation is also called laparotomy according to Pfannenstil.
• Vertical, from the navel to the heart. It is used only in emergency situations, as it is very convenient for doctors.

After the bodies are visible, they are thoroughly examined. If the surgeon managed to establish a problem, it is solved immediately, but if the case is complicated, May require a second operation. Upon completion, seams are applied.

Period of recovery and possible complications

After the patient returns to the ward, he will be prescribed a dose of pain medications and a daily dressing. The first two or three days, food should be produced only by intravenous fluids. After a successful operation, you need to breathe deeply and knead your legs, after a week you need to add short walks. Laparotomy is the kind of operation where 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, and abdominal pain. Although the latter is directly related to the healing processes of the wound. The presence of a scar sometimes worries people, especially women, but this is where laparotomy is good. Reviews of people after surgery indicate that the scar is small. It's easy to hide. But such is the laparotomy according to Pfannensthil, the vertical incision is less aesthetic. There is a similar type of operation where an incision is not required, but not all clinics can afford expensive equipment and highly qualified specialists who can cope with it.