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Laparotomy

: An operation to open the abdomen. The word "laparotomy" was first used to designate this operation in 1878 by an English surgeon, Thomas Bryant. The word has an interesting derivation. It was compounded from Greek roots "lapara" referring to "the soft parts of the body between the rib cage and the hips" and "tome" meaning "a cutting" = a cutting into that area.

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1. Incision into the loin. 2. SYN: celiotomy. [laparo- + G. tome, incision]

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lap·a·rot·o·my .lap-ə-'rät-ə-mē n, pl -mies surgical section of the abdominal wall

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a surgical incision into the abdominal cavity. The operation is done to examine the abdominal organs as a help to diagnosis; for example, to establish the spread of a tumour (exploratory laparotomy) or as a prelude to major surgery, for example in abdominal trauma.

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lap·a·rot·o·my (lap″ə-rotґə-me) [laparo- + -tomy] surgical incision into the abdominal cavity. Called also celiotomy and peritoneotomy.

Medical dictionary. 2011.