Open surgery

Open surgery refers to the traditional type of surgery in which large incisions are made using a scalpel. During the procedure, Dr Webner will make incisions that range from 3-4 inches to very large, depending upon the procedure being performed.

Open surgeries are less common than they used to be due to the introduction of minimally invasive surgical techniques that involve smaller incisions. Although minimally invasive surgery has become increasingly popular, there are a number of situations in which open surgery is still more suitable.

Open surgery may be required if:

• A patient has adhesions or scars from prior procedures
• Tumours or growths are located in more compromising places
• The growth or tumour is too significant for MIS techniques to remove or treat them properly.

Types of open surgeries 

Thoracotomy

A thoracotomy is a procedure in which a cut is made between the ribs to reach and view the lungs or other organs in the thorax or chest. A thoracotomy is performed on the right or left side of the chest. The procedure is performed for the diagnosis or treatment of disease and allows doctors to visualise, biopsy or remove tissue as needed.

Laparotomy

A laparotomy is a surgical incision made into the abdominal cavity. Dr Webner uses the laparotomy technique to look inside the abdominal cavity to diagnose or treat abdominal health conditions. In many cases, once the problem is identified, it can be fixed during the laparotomy. Females may have a laparotomy to remove the uterus, ovaries or fallopian tubes.

Recovery

The recovery time for open surgery is usually much longer than the recovery time for minimally invasive surgery.

As people can undergo open surgery for a number of reasons, the recovery time may vary significantly among individuals. Factors such as the person’s age and overall health will determine how long it takes them to feel better.

You can take the following steps at home to feel better:

• Rest as much as possible for days to weeks, depending on Dr Webner's recommendation
• Continue to move around and do any exercises that Dr Webner advises
• Follow all dietary guidelines from Dr Webner
• Take medication as Dr Webner prescribes
• avoid all heavy lifting, including pulling or pushing items, sexual activity, and swimming for 6 weeks