What Is an Incision of the Duodenum Called?

A duodenal incision or laparotomy is an incision made in the abdominal wall to examine the duodenum, the first section of the small intestine. It can also refer to any incision made for the purpose of examining the abdominal organs.

Medical Conditions

• Among the medical conditions affecting the duodenum that a laparotomy is used to treat are peptic ulcers, intestinal cancer, intestinal perforations, diverticulitis and abdominal scar tissue.

Surgery

• A laparotomy is usually performed with the patient under general anesthesia.

Size and Location

• The specific medical condition the patient has determines the size and site of the laparotomy.

Risks

• According to the National Institutes of Health's Medline Plus Encyclopedia, the laparotomy procedure may sometimes lead to bleeding and infection, or an incisional hernia.

Diagnosis

• There are a number of diagnostic procedures, such as x-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, that can be performed to determine if a laparotomy is needed.