abbreviated laparotomy
Truncated surgical procedure focusing on immediate life-threatening issues while deferring complex reconstructive work.
Full Definition
Abbreviated laparotomy is a damage control surgical approach that prioritizes rapid control of hemorrhage and contamination over anatomic restoration. This technique is employed when patients are physiologically exhausted and cannot tolerate prolonged operative procedures. The surgery focuses on essential maneuvers such as vascular clamping, organ packing, bowel stapling, and temporary closure, with definitive reconstruction planned for subsequent operations once the patient has recovered physiologically. This staged approach improves survival in critically injured patients by avoiding the 'lethal triad' of hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy that can result from prolonged initial surgery.
Usage
Usage note: Often used interchangeably with damage control laparotomy, though some surgeons distinguish between the terms.
In Context
- "The team performed an abbreviated laparotomy with hepatic packing and planned return to the OR in 24 hours." — trauma surgery operative report
- "Given the patient's acidosis, we opted for abbreviated laparotomy rather than immediate bowel reconstruction." — intraoperative decision documentation