Exploratory or exploratory laparotomy is a diagnostic exam in which a cut is performed in the abdomen to look at the organs and identify the cause of a particular symptom or alteration of imaging tests. This procedure should be performed in the operating room with the sedated patient, as it is an invasive procedure.
It is recommended that the person stay in the hospital to be accompanied and recover more quickly from the procedure, as well as reduce the risk of complications, such as bleeding and infections.
- Exploratory laparotomy is performed for diagnostic purposes and is performed when there are signs of changes in the abdominal organs.
This is usually an elective procedure, but it can also be considered in emergencies, such as serious car accidents, for example, so this review may be indicated to investigate:
In addition, exploratory laparotomy can also be used to investigate certain conditions in women, such as endometriosis, ovarian and cervical cancer, and ectopic pregnancy, for example; however, in most cases, instead of laparotomy, a laparoscopy is performed, in which small holes are performed in the abdominal area that allow the passage of a medical instrument that attaches to a microchamber, allowing real-time visualization without requiring a wider cut. Understand how videolaparoscopy is performed.
During the laboratory, if changes are observed, a tissue sample may be taken and sent to the laboratory for biopsy; In addition, if any problems are identified during the examination, a therapeutic laparotomy may also be performed, which corresponds to the same procedure but with the aim of treating and correcting the impaired.
The scanning laparotomy is performed in the operating room, with the patient under general anesthesia and lasts between 1 and 4 hours depending on the purpose of the exam, anesthesia is important so that the person does not feel anything during the procedure, but it is normal that once the effect of anesthesia has passed, the person feels pain and discomfort.
Após aplicação da anestesia e início do efeito, é realizado um corte na região do abdômen cujo tamanho varia de acordo com o objetivo do exame, podendo, em alguns casos, ser realizado corte em quase todo o comprimento abdominal. Em seguida, o médico realiza a exploração da região, avaliando os órgãos e verificando qualquer alteração.
The abdomen is then closed and the person must stay in the hospital for a few days to be closely monitored to avoid complications.
As this is an invasive procedure that requires general anesthesia, there may be complications related to the procedure, as well as bleeding problems, an increased risk of bleeding and infections, hernia formation and damage to any organ located in the abdominal area.
These complications, although rare, are more common when an emergency laparotomy is necessary or when the patient is a smoker, people who drink alcoholic beverages frequently or who have chronic diseases, such as diabetes or obesity, for example.Therefore, in the presence of any of these factors, it is important to tell your doctor so that the procedure is done with caution and complications are avoided.