HealthWise KnowledgeBase
Surgery for Chronic Pelvic Pain
Surgery Overview
Laparotomy is a surgical procedure that is done by making an incision in the lower abdomen. This allows the surgeon to see and inspect the abdominal cavity for structural problems, sites of Reference endometriosis Opens New Window (implants), and scar tissue (Reference adhesions Opens New Window). The surgeon can then remove implants and adhesions. The surgeon can also correct structural problems that interfere with an organ's normal function, such as removing adhesions from the bowel wall.
Many of the procedures that required a laparotomy in the past can now be done with Reference laparoscopy Opens New Window, which uses a smaller incision. Ask your surgeon why laparotomy is required.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: October 30, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
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