abbreviated laparotomy
A rapid, life-saving abdominal procedure focusing only on hemorrhage control and contamination source control.
Full Definition
A surgical approach that prioritizes immediate life-threatening issues over comprehensive repair during emergency abdominal surgery. The procedure involves rapid identification and temporary control of bleeding sources, removal or bypass of contaminated or devitalized tissue, and temporary abdominal closure. Definitive repairs are deferred until the patient's physiology has been optimized. This approach is fundamental to damage control surgery principles and significantly improves survival in critically injured patients.
Usage
Usage note: Often used interchangeably with 'damage control laparotomy' but emphasizes the abbreviated nature of the procedure.
In Context
- "An abbreviated laparotomy was performed with packing of liver lacerations and spleen removal." — operative report
- "The principles of abbreviated laparotomy guided the surgical approach in this unstable patient." — surgical literature