Section III. PROCEDURES FOR A LAPAROTOMY
4-7.
GENERAL
A laparotomy is an opening made through the abdominal wall into the peritoneal
cavity. In Lesson 3, the setup and preparation for surgery are outlined. In the
Appendix, the procedures during surgery are outlined. The scrub should anticipate
what items the surgeon will require during a procedure and have the items ready for the
surgeon. The following information presents the requirements for a simple laparotomy
using the normal sequence of events as an example of what the scrub would do during
a laparotomy. The steps performed by the surgeon and the items furnished by the
scrub for each step are presented along with illustrations of the incision while dissecting
and while suturing. The instruments are also illustrated. Each doctor will identify his
requirements for instruments, sutures, and needles on a surgeon's preference card that
the scrub will use in preparing for the procedures. The Appendix illustrates one
example of a laparotomy.
4-8.
The Appendix illustrates the procedures used by the surgeon and the actions
taken by the scrub for a laparotomy, including the opening and closing of the peritoneal
cavity.
a. The steps for opening and closing the peritoneal cavity are numbered, each
beginning with Step 1.
b. Illustrations are not necessarily appropriate for each step and are so
indicated.
c. Illustrations of items furnished by the scrub are shown the first time that the
item is mentioned. Subsequently, reference is made to previous illustrations.
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