Definition

Noun: A surgical procedure involving an incision through the abdominal wall, typically performed to gain access to the abdominal cavity for examination, diagnosis, or treatment of internal organs.

Examples

• The surgeon performed a laparotomy to investigate the cause of the patient's severe internal bleeding.
• An exploratory laparotomy revealed an unexpected tumor on the liver.
• The procedure evolved from a minimally invasive laparoscopy to a full laparotomy when complications arose.

Advanced Usage

• Exploratory laparotomy: A specific type of laparotomy performed to diagnose a condition when other tests are inconclusive. The surgeon examines the abdominal organs directly.
  • The team decided an exploratory laparotomy was necessary to find the source of the infection.
• The term is often used in contrast to laparoscopy, which is a less invasive "keyhole" surgery.

Variants and Related Words

• Laparoscopic (adj): Pertaining to laparoscopy, a minimally invasive surgical technique using small incisions and a camera.
• Coeliotomy (n): A synonymous medical term for a surgical incision into the abdominal cavity.

Synonyms

• Abdominal incision
• Celiotomy (variant spelling)
• Surgical exploration (in context)

Notes on Meaning

The word specifically denotes the act of making the surgical incision to open the abdominal wall. While the procedure is often followed by an internal operation (e.g., removal of an organ), the term laparotomy itself refers to the initial step of gaining access.

Noun

1. surgical incision into the abdominal wall; often done to examine abdominal organs