Laparoscopy and laparotomy
These tests are used to look for abnormal changes in the organs in your abdomen (tummy area), such as your liver, pancreas, stomach or reproductive organs.
What is a laparoscopy?
A laparoscopy is a type of keyhole surgery, where a thin, flexible tube with a mini-telescope and a light goes in through a small cut (incision) in your abdomen (tummy). This lets the doctor look at your organs.
Your doctor may make another cut in the tummy if a small sample of tissue (biopsy) needs to be taken. This sample can be tested for cancer cells. You will have some stitches in your abdomen after the test.
You won't be able to eat or drink for a few hours before the test.
You will have a general anaesthetic.
No. You will be asleep because of the general anaesthetic.
The test takes about 30 minutes.
After a laparoscopy you will have 2 or 3 stitches at the wound site. Usually they dissolve and disappear as your wound heals, so you won't need to have them removed.
Once the effects of the anaesthetic wear off, you will be able to get up and usually can go home the same day. You will not be able to drive, so you will need to be collected.
You may have uncomfortable wind (stomach cramps) and/or shoulder pains for 3 or 4 days. This is caused by carbon dioxide gas, which is passed into your abdomen during the test to let your doctor see more clearly. Walking about or taking sips of peppermint water often eases the pain.
What is a laparotomy?
A laparotomy is like a laparoscopy, but your doctor makes a bigger cut in your abdomen (tummy) and doesn’t use a camera. Again, this lets your doctor check for abnormal changes. A laparotomy can sometimes lead to more surgery, depending on what your doctor finds.
You won’t be able to eat or drink for a few hours before the test.
You will have a general anaesthetic.
No, you will be asleep because of the general anaesthetic.
The test takes a few minutes, but it will take a few hours to recover from the anaesthetic. You may need to stay overnight in hospital.
Remember, you won’t be able to drive for 24 hours after a general anaesthetic, so make sure you have a lift home from the hospital.
A laparotomy is major surgery so you will remain in hospital afterwards to recover. You will have tubes attached to drain fluid from your body and you will be given pain relief. You will be assisted to stand up and walk around a bit each day. It usually takes around 6 weeks for your incision to heal.
Talk to a Cancer Nurse
Support Line
Our Daffodil Centres
