Editing Abdominal surgery (section)

== Types ==
The most common abdominal surgeries are described below.

*[[Appendectomy]]: surgical opening of the abdominal cavity and removal of the [[vermiform appendix|appendix]].  Typically performed as definitive treatment for appendicitis, although sometimes the appendix is [[Preventive healthcare|prophylactically]] removed incidental to another abdominal procedure.
*[[Caesarean section]] (also known as C-section): a surgical procedure in which one or more incisions are made through a mother's abdomen ([[laparotomy]]) and [[uterus]] ([[hysterotomy]]) to deliver one or more babies, or, rarely, to remove a dead fetus.
*[[Inguinal hernia surgery]]: the repair of an [[inguinal hernia]].
*Exploratory [[laparotomy]]: the opening of the [[abdominal cavity]] for direct examination of its contents; for example, to locate a source of bleeding or [[Physical trauma|trauma]]. It may or may not be followed by repair or removal of the primary problem.
*[[Laparoscopy]]: a [[minimally invasive]] approach to abdominal surgery where rigid tubes are inserted through small incisions into the abdominal cavity. The tubes allow introduction of a small camera, surgical instruments, and gases into the cavity for direct or indirect visualization and treatment of the abdomen. The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide gas to facilitate visualization and, often, a small video camera is used to show the procedure on a monitor in the operating room.  The surgeon manipulates instruments within the abdominal cavity to perform procedures such as [[cholecystectomy]] ([[gallbladder]] removal), the most common laparoscopic procedure.  The laparoscopic method speeds recovery time and reduces blood loss and infection as compared to the traditional "open" method.