Abdominal Exploration

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Abdominal Exploration: Indications

Exploratory laparotomy may be recommended for diagnosis when there is abdominal disease from an unknown cause.

Diseases that may be discovered by exploratory laparotomy include the following:

• Inflammation of the appendix (acute appendicitis)
• Inflammation of the pancreas (acute or chronic pancreatitis)
• Pockets of infection (retroperitoneal abscess, abdominal abscess, pelvic abscess))
• Presence of uterine tissue (endometrium) in the abdomen (endometriosis)
• Inflammation of the fallopian tubes (salpingitis)
• Scar tissue in the abdomen (adhesions)
• Cancer (of the ovary, colon, pancreas, liver)
• Inflammation of an intestinal pocket (diverticulitis)
• Hole in the intestine (intestinal perforation)
• Pregnancy outside of the uterus (ectopic pregnancy)

This surgery may also be used to determine the extent of certain cancers, such as Hodgkin's lymphoma.