Publication:

Re-laparotomy in OBG: a clinical study

Background If laparotomy done within 60 days of primary surgery for the original disease it is called re-laparotomy. Aim of this study was to determine the risk factors causing re-laparotomy, the indications, management and outcomes of re-laparotomy.

Methods The study was conducted in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital, Bellary, Karnataka. It is a 2 year prospective observational study of all the patients with re-laparotomy following operation done for obstetric or gynaecological indications.

Results Total 4105 patients underwent major surgery in two years between October 2013 to September 2015. Re-laparotomy was done in 10 cases. The incidence of re-laparotomy was 0.25% which is mainly for subacute intestinal obstruction, intraperitoneal haemorrhage, burst abdomen, PPH, rectus sheath hematoma.

Conclusions Hemorrhage, burst abdomen, infections are the main reasons for re-laparotomy after obstetric and gynaecological surgeries. Though the incidence of re-laparotomy is low and the outcome is favourable, several measures must be undertaken to prevent re-laparotomy such as careful surgical technique, meticulous hemostasis and strict asepsis should be maintained.