AAGL | Patient Education Topics

Patients & Consumers

Patient Education Topics

Gathered here are a collection of incisive articles, created for women, to focus on subjects relating to women's physical and emotional health and well-being. Topics under gynecologic conditions include causes, diagnosis, symptoms and possible treatment options of various issues in gynecologic health. Topics under the treatment category include a description of techniques and procedures in treatment options of gynecologic conditions.

It is our hope that this section may serve as a resource, helping you to be an informed partner in your own healthcare. The information is not intended for diagnostic or therapeutic treatment. While the information has been carefully reviewed, it is not intended to take the place of a discussion with your physician. The AAGL encourages you to contact your own physician for the appropriate care and treatment of your health.

The development of this patient education was supported by unrestricted educational grants by the healthcare companies listed below. We appreciate their support in allowing the AAGL to continue its mission to educate you about the quality healthcare options that are available.

American Medical Systems
Boston Scientific
Conceptus
Ethicon Endo-Surgery
Ethicon Women's Health & Urology
Intuitive Surgical
Karl Storz Endoscopy, America

CONDITIONS | TREATMENTS

Cryotherapy
Cystectomy
D&C
Endometrial Ablation
Fibroid Treatments
Hysterectomy
Hysteroscopy
Incontinence Treatments
Laparoscopic Surgery
Laparoscopy
Laparotomy

Laparotomy

Laparotomy is open abdominal surgery performed under either general or epidural anesthesia. It involves a 2 to 6 inch incision that is made either vertically, between the navel and the pubic bone, or horizontally, the so-called “bikini” incision just above the pubic bone. It requires a hospital stay and takes four to six weeks for complete healing.

Prior to the advent of minimally invasive and laparoscopic techniques, laparotomy was the principal approach for problems such as ectopic pregnancy and endometriosis. It is still used when an operation may be complicated by scar tissue from previous surgeries, previous infection or endometriosis. It is almost always used to remove cancer, because it gives the surgeon the ability to inspect both the cancerous areas and the surrounding tissues both visually and by touch. This is important to be sure the cancer has not spread. Many of these procedures are now performed laparoscopically as well.

References

MedicineNet.com. Definition of laparotomy. www.medterms.com/script/main/art/asp?articlekey=6212.
Parker WH. A Gynecologist’s Second Opinion. 2003; A Plume Book; Published by the Penguin Group, New York, NY.

Reviewed: March 2008.

Laser Surgery
LEEP (Loop Exectrosurgical Excision Precedure)
Oophorectomy
Operative Hysteroscopy
Ovarian Vein Embolization
Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) Treatment
Polypectomy
Presacral Neurectomy
Sterilization
Transcervial Resection of The Endometrium