What Is an Exploratory Laparotomy?
An exploratory laparotomy is a surgery that involves making an incision to open the abdomen. This allows surgeons to directly see the organs in your midsection, including the stomach, liver, spleen, and intestines. The main goal is to explore the area to find the cause of a serious medical problem.
Think of it as a necessary look “under the hood” when other tests aren’t giving clear answers.
Why Is This Surgery Needed?
A doctor will perform an exploratory laparotomy to find the source of acute (sudden and severe) abdominal pain, especially after an injury or recent surgery. It’s usually considered an emergency procedure.
Common Causes for an Exploratory Laparotomy
The most common reason for this surgery is an abdominal injury caused by blunt force. This means the abdomen was hit hard, but the skin wasn’t necessarily broken.
Common causes of such injuries include:
- Car accidents (the leading cause)
- Falls from a significant height
- Bicycle accidents
- Serious sports injuries
- Workplace or mechanical accidents
These events can damage internal organs, leading to internal bleeding, bruising, or tears in the liver, spleen, or intestines.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms?
Diagnosing the need for this surgery can be challenging because the symptoms aren’t always clear. A patient might have:
- Bleeding
- Unstable vital signs (like blood pressure or heart rate)
- Signs of peritonitis (a painful inflammation of the abdominal lining)
During a physical exam, a doctor might find bruises from a seatbelt, abdominal swelling, or tenderness when touching the belly. If peritonitis is present, the abdomen may feel rigid and extremely painful to the touch.