Question 1

how should a 5 day post-op laparotomy look?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Some patients will be close to discharge. Some will continue with nasogastric tube and Foley catheter. Okay to ask your surgery team about progress and recovery.

Question 2

anyone ever died during a laparotomy before?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Yes, but keep in mind that a laparotomy is simply the name for a procedure where the skin is incised with a scalpel making a traditional scar to gain access to the abdominal cavity.  It is done is many different circumstances including emergently after trauma, cancer surgery, exploratory surgery, etc. Very rare in low risk cases be assured.

Question 3

could you give me tips on exploratory laparotomy?

Accepted Answer

You are complex: Exploratory laparotomy indicates that something is wrong in your abdominal cavity and that you need surgery. The surgeon is not quite sure what will be encountered and what will be done to fix the problem.

Question 4

can they safely do a laparotomy on a 17 year old?

Accepted Answer

Yes: This procedure is less common today with the presence of ultrasound or ct scans. However, it is done routinely from infancy through late adulthood.

Question 5

i had a laparotomy and removed my appendix 6 weeks ago

Accepted Answer

Pain: Abdominal pain from an appendectomy would typically be gone by 6 weeks. Some people though for various reasons can have persistent scar pain. This can be from appendectomy or other surgical scars. Other possibilities would be infection such as cellulits or abscess or perhaps a seroma which is a collection of fluid beneath the scar. Let your surgeon know about your symptoms.

Question 6

what is recovery time for laparotomy to remove a dermoid?

Accepted Answer

At least 6 weeks: We usually say about 6 weeks, but healing continues even after that.  Only your doctor will be able to clear you for activities based on how you are healing and what specifically was done.

Question 7

what body systems are involved in an exploratory laparotomy?

Accepted Answer

Gastrointestinal: Primarily the GI system, but all intrabdominal organs are grossly inspected, visualized and palpated

Question 8

how long before i can start to do crunches after a laparotomy?

Accepted Answer

Call and ask: Please call your surgeon about this: many recommend 6 weeks but you should follow the instructions your doctor gives you, no one else.

Question 9

how long does it take for an oophorectomy with mini laparotomy?

Accepted Answer

Why: This should be done laparoscopically and if straight forward 20 minutes for the docs part.

Question 10

what are the chances i will need a laparotomy and not a laparoscop?

Accepted Answer

Depends: It depends on the skill of your surgeon and the concern over the possibility of cancer which relates to your age etc.  In our hands, in young patients with "big" cysts up to say 12 cm or so, we would almost always approach with laparoscopy unless a malignancy is strongly suspected.  This would be rare in the young age groups.  Depends on the planned surgery and the indication.

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Doctor answers about:

What rehab is needed after laparotomy

A member asked:

How should a 5 day post-op laparotomy look?

A member asked:

Anyone ever died during a laparotomy before?

A member asked:

Could you give me tips on exploratory laparotomy?

A member asked:

Can they safely do a laparotomy on a 17 year old?

A member asked:

I had a laparotomy and removed my appendix 6 weeks ago

A member asked:

What is recovery time for laparotomy to remove a dermoid?

A member asked:

What body systems are involved in an exploratory laparotomy?

A member asked:

How long before i can start to do crunches after a laparotomy?

A member asked:

How long does it take for an oophorectomy with mini laparotomy?

A member asked:

What are the chances i will need a laparotomy and not a laparoscop?

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