A laparotomy is a surgical maneuver involving an incision through the abdominal wall to gain access into the abdominal cavity. It is also known as coeliotomy. A typical modern surgery operation For other meanings of the word, see Surgery (disambiguation) Surgery (from the Greek cheirourgia - lit. ... The abdomen (from the Latin word meaning belly) is the part of the body between the pelvis and the thorax. ... The abdominal cavity is the cavity of the human body (and other animal bodies) that holds the bulk of the viscera and which is located below (or posterior to) the thoracic cavity. ...

In a diagnostic laparotomy, the nature of the disease is unknown, and laparotomy is deemed the best way to identify the cause. In therapeutic laparotomy, a cause has been identified (e.g. peptic ulcer, colon cancer) and laparotomy is required for its therapy. Usually, only diagnostic laparotomy is referred to as a surgical operation by itself; and when a specific operation is already planned, laparotomy is considered merely the first step of the procedure. I LOVE BIBI ... Diagram of the stomach, colon, and rectum Colorectal cancer includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix. ...

Depending on incision placement, it may give access to any abdominal organ or space, and is the first step in any major diagnostic or therapeutic surgical procedure of these organs, which include:

• the lower part of the digestive tract (the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon)
• the liver, pancreas and spleen
• the bladder
• the female reproductive organs (the uterus and ovaries)
• the retroperitoneum (the kidneys, the aorta, abdominal lymph nodes)

The most common incision for laparotomy is the midline incision, a vertical incision which follows the linea alba. The upper midline incision usually extends from the from the xiphoid process to the umbilicus, while a typical lower midline incision is limited by the umbilicus superiorly and by the pubic symphysis inferiorly. Sometimes a single incision extending from xiphoid process to pubic symphysis is employed, especially in trauma surgery. Midline incisions are particularly favoured in diagnostic laparotomy, as they allow wide access to most of the abdominal cavity. For the Physics term GUT, please refer to Grand unification theory The gastrointestinal or digestive tract, also referred to as the GI tract or the alimentary canal or the gut, is the system of organs within multicellular animals which takes in food, digests it to extract energy and nutrients, and... In anatomy, the stomach (in ancient Greek στόμαχος) is an organ in the alimentary canal used to digest food. ... In anatomy of the digestive system, the duodenum is a hollow jointed tube that connects the stomach to the jejunum. ... Diagram of the Human Intestine In anatomy of the digestive system, the jejunum is the central of the three divisions of the small intestine and lies between the duodenum and the ileum. ... In anatomy of the digestive system, the ileum (not to be confused with the ilium, a pelvic bone), is the final section of the small intestine. ... In anatomy of the digestive system, the colon or large intestine is the part of the intestine from the cecum to the rectum. ... The liver is an organ in vertebrates, including humans. ... The pancreas is a retroperitoneal organ that serves two functions: exocrine - it produces pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes endocrine - it produces several important hormones // Anatomy The pancreas is a retroperitoneal organ located posterior to the stomach on the posterior abdominal wall. ... The spleen is a ductless, vertebrate gland that is not necessary for life but is closely associated with the circulatory system, where it functions in the destruction of old red blood cells and removal of other debris from the bloodstream, and also in holding a reservoir of blood. ... A bladder is a pouch or other flexible enclosure with waterproof or gasproof walls. ... Female internal reproductive anatomy The uterus or womb is the major female reproductive organ of most mammals, including humans. ... Human female internal reproductive anatomy Ovaries are a part of a female organism that produces eggs. ... Retroperitoneal is an anatomical term that refers to the relationship of the contents of the abdominal cavity to the peritoneal space. ... Kidneys viewed from behind with spine removed The kidneys are bean-shaped excretory organs in vertebrates. ... The largest artery in the human body, the aorta originates from the left ventricle of the heart and brings oxygenated blood to all parts of the body in the systemic circulation. ... Structure of the lymph node. ... The linea alba is a fibrous structure that runs down the midline of the abdomen in humans and other animals. ... The xyphoid process or xiphoid process is a small cartilaginous extension to the lower part of the sternum which may become ossified in the adult. ... An umbilicus which appears as a depression in the abdomen is referred to as an innie. The umbilicus (commonly called a navel, or belly or tummy button), is essentially a scar caused at birth by the removal of the umbilical cord from a newborn baby. ... An umbilicus which appears as a depression in the abdomen is referred to as an innie. The umbilicus (commonly called a navel, or belly or tummy button), is essentially a scar caused at birth by the removal of the umbilical cord from a newborn baby. ... The pubic symphysis is the midline cartilaginous joint uniting the superior rami of the left and right pubic bones (pubis). ... The xyphoid process or xiphoid process is a small cartilaginous extension to the lower part of the sternum which may become ossified in the adult. ... The pubic symphysis is the midline cartilaginous joint uniting the superior rami of the left and right pubic bones (pubis). ...

Other common laparotomy incisions include:

• the Kocher (right subcostal) incision (after Emil Theodor Kocher); appropriate for operations on the liver, gallbladder and biliary tract;
• the Davis or Davis-Rockey "muscle-splitting" right lower quadrant incision for appendectomy;
• the Pfannenstiel incision, a transverse incision below the umbilicus and just above the pubic symphysis, most often employed for cesarean section;
• Lombotomy consists of a lumbar incision which permits access to the kidneys (which are retroperitoneal) without entering the peritoneal cavity. It is a common operative approach in renal surgery.

A related procedure is laparoscopy, where cameras and other instruments are inserted into the peritoneal cavity via small holes in the abdomen. For example, an appendectomy can be done either by a laparotomy or by an laparoscopic access. Emil Theodor Kocher (August 25, 1841 - July 27, 1917), Nobel Prize winner in 1909 for his work on the physiology, pathology and surgery of the thyroid gland Born in Bern. ... The liver is an organ in vertebrates, including humans. ... The gallbladder (or cholecyst) is a pear-shaped organ that stores bile (or gall) until the body needs it for digestion. ... A bile duct is any of a number of long tube-like structures that carry bile. ... An appendicectomy (or appendectomy) is the surgical removal of the vermiform appendix. ... An umbilicus which appears as a depression in the abdomen is referred to as an innie. The umbilicus (commonly called a navel, or belly or tummy button), is essentially a scar caused at birth by the removal of the umbilical cord from a newborn baby. ... The pubic symphysis is the midline cartilaginous joint uniting the superior rami of the left and right pubic bones (pubis). ... A caesarean section (cesarean section AE), is a surgical incision through a mothers abdomen (laparotomy) and uterus (hysterotomy) to deliver one or more fetuses. ... In anatomy, lumbar is an adjective that means of or pertaining to the abdominal segment of the torso, between the diaphragm and the sacrum (pelvis). ... Kidneys viewed from behind with spine removed The kidneys are bean-shaped excretory organs in vertebrates. ... Retroperitoneal is an anatomical term that refers to the relationship of the contents of the abdominal cavity to the peritoneal space. ... In higher vertebrates, the peritoneum is the membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal cavity - it covers most of the intra-abdominal organs. ... Urology is the field of medicine that focuses on the urinary tracts of males and females, and of the male reproductive system. ... Laparoscopic surgery, also called keyhole surgery (when natural body openings are not used), bandaid surgery, or minimally invasive surgery (MIS), is a surgical technique. ... In higher vertebrates, the peritoneum is the membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal cavity - it covers most of the intra-abdominal organs. ... An appendicectomy (or appendectomy) is the surgical removal of the vermiform appendix. ...