Exploratory laparotomy postoperative care
exploratory laparotomy postoperative care
The patient will remain in the postoperative recovery room for several hours where his or her recovery can be closely monitored. Discharge from the hospital may occur in as little as one to two days after the procedure, but may be later if additional procedures were performed or complications were encountered. The patient will be instructed to watch for symptoms that may indicate infection, such as fever, redness or swelling around the incision, drainage, and worsening pain.
Be guided by your doctor, but general suggestions include:
- Try to rest as much as possible for two weeks.
- Arrangements should be made for relatives or friends to help you around the house. You need to strictly avoid any heavy lifting, pulling or pushing.
- You may need a modified diet following discharge from hospital. Follow all dietary suggestions.
- Make sure you take your medications and follow instructions precisely.
- Continue with any exercises you were shown in hospital.
10 common questions about Exploratory laparotomy postoperative care
1How long does it take to recover from exploratory laparotomy?
2 to 6 weeks
Recovering From Laparotomy
This is due to the vast number of problems that make the surgery necessary. Generally speaking, an uncomplicated procedure that is a laparotomy and no additional procedure requires 2 to 6 weeks of recovery time before returning to normal activities
2What does exploratory laparotomy mean?
An exploratory laparotomy (also known as an ex-lap) is a surgical operation where the abdomen is opened and the abdominal organs examined for injury or disease.
3How is an exploratory laparotomy done?
Exploratory laparotomy is done while you are under general anesthesia. This means you are asleep and feel no pain. 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 concern
4How long does laparotomy swelling last?
Your Recovery
You will probably notice that your belly is swollen and puffy. This is common. The swelling will take several weeks to go down. You may take 4 to 6 weeks to fully recover.
5Is laparotomy major surgery?
A laparotomy is a surgical incision into the abdominal cavity. A laparotomy is performed to examine the abdominal organs and aid diagnosis of any problems. Possible complications include infection and the formation of scar tissue within the abdominal cavity.
6How long does your stomach stay swollen after laparoscopic surgery?
This is due to the small amount of gas that is pumped into the abdomen to make it easier to see. These side effects generally settle within a few days , but bloating can take several weeks to resolve in some people. As with any surgery, there is usually some pain following laparoscopic surgery
7How long does a exploratory laparotomy take?
The average operating time for all cases was 76.9 min (range 10-400). In 38 cases (3.8%) the laparoscopic procedure was converted to laparotomy. The average operating time for treating ectopic pregnancy and tubal disease was approximately 60 min (range 13-240).
8Is a laparotomy dangerous?
There are risks associated with laparoscopy, though serious complications are rare. Laparotomy carries the general risks of surgery and use of anesthesia. Additional risks associated with laparotomy vary depending on the underlying problem or disease that the procedure is meant to treat
9How long do you stay in hospital after a laparotomy?
How long you will need to stay in the hospital will depend on the reason you needed the laparotomy, your treatments, and how well you recover. This is often 5 to 10 days after you have the procedure.
10How long does pain last after laparoscopic surgery?
It may also cause some bloating. The discomfort should go away within a couple of days. You can usually resume all normal activities within a week. You'll need to attend a follow-up appointment with your doctor about two weeks after laparoscopy
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