Exploratory surgery for abdominal pain
exploratory surgery for abdominal pain
Exploratory laparotomy is surgery to open up the belly area (abdomen). This surgery is done to find the cause of problems (such as belly pain or bleeding) that testing could not diagnose. It is also used when an abdominal injury needs emergency medical care. This surgery uses one large cut (incision). The provider can then see and check the organs inside the abdomen. If the cause of the problem is found during the procedure, then treatment is often done at the same time. In some cases, a minimally invasive surgery called exploratory laparoscopy may be used instead. That method uses a tiny camera and several small incisions. But in many cases an exploratory laparotomy is preferred. Read on to learn more about this procedure.
Reasons For The Surgery
Organs that may be looked at during exploratory laparotomy include:
- Liver
- Gallbladder
- Spleen
- Pancreas
- Kidneys
- Stomach
- Small intestine (small bowel)
- Large intestine (colon or large bowel)
- Appendix
- Ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus (in women)
- Lymph nodes
- Abdominal blood vessels
- Membranes that line the abdominal cavity
10 common questions about Exploratory surgery for abdominal pain
1What is exploratory surgery of the abdomen?
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
2How long does it take to recover from exploratory surgery?
You should be able to start eating and drinking normally about 2 to 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
3Is diagnostic laparoscopy painful?
In the days following laparoscopy, you may feel moderate pain and throbbing in the areas where incisions were made. Any pain or discomfort should improve within a few days. Your doctor may prescribe medication to relieve the pain. It's also common to have shoulder pain after your procedure
4What happens during a diagnostic laparoscopy?
Diagnostic laparoscopy is a surgical procedure that doctors use to view a woman's reproductive organs. A laparoscope, a thin viewing tube similar to a telescope, is passed through a small incision (cut) in the abdomen. ... Your doctor might use laparoscopy to: Find the cause of pain in the pelvic and abdominal regions
5How 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.
6How long does it take for abdominal muscles to heal after surgery?
Depending on your state of health, it can be shorter or longer. An average time length that a lot of people say with an abdominal incision is about one to two months or even just six weeks to where you really want to let it heal and you try not to put too much pressure on your abdomen during that time
7Can I lay on my side after laparoscopic surgery?
Laparoscopy is usually done under general anaesthesia. Generally, a small incision is made near the belly button and the abdomen is filled with CO2 gas. ... Two other small incisions may be made in the abdomen so additional surgical instruments, such as a probe to move organs, can be used during the surgery.
8What is the purpose of exploratory surgery?
Exploratory surgery. Exploratory surgery is a diagnostic method used by doctors when trying to find a diagnosis for an ailment. It can be performed in both humans and animals, but it is far more common in animals. It is used most commonly to diagnose or locate cancer in humans.
9What is the recovery time for a diagnostic laparoscopy?
Recovery: what to expect in the next few weeks
Full recovery takes about two weeks to allow for internal healing. Some women have vaginal bleeding for a month after surgery. This is normal. Your cycle may be off a few weeks, and once it returns to normal, you may have heavier bleeding and more discomfort than usual
10How long does diagnostic laparoscopy take?
When laparoscopy is used to diagnose a condition, the procedure usually takes 30-60 minutes. It will take longer if the surgeon is treating a condition, depending on the type of surgery being carried out
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