Question:
Anyone Wake up to find an OPEN procedure was done, that was expecting Lap?

My friend was expecting to have a lap procedure. When she woke she found that they had missed the correct incision site by 2 inches and had to open her up to finish it. Has anyone else had this happen? Has anyone else woke up to find this procedure was done for other reasons as well?    — continuedmoon (posted on December 26, 2005)

December 26, 2005
It is my understanding that any lap patient can end up being an open patient. There isn't any guarentee that a surgeon will end up doing lap s/he does not know until they put the instuments into you. A doctor may encounter anatomy problems with anyone when they start a surgery.
   — ChristineB

December 26, 2005
Christine is right. There is never a guarantee. My surgeon was practically through with my surgery when a staple caused a bleed that could not be stopped. They had to open me up, remove my spleen, and then took the gal bladder for good measure. My anatomy was part of the problem. I hope your friend recovers easily. It isn't fun - but still accomplishes the same results! ;-) Kimberly surgery July 18, 2005 Loss of 80 pounds so far. Only 20 more to go! ;-)
   — Southgrim

December 26, 2005
Thanks for your response. I know it is totally possible, I was kind of trying to get a sample of how many people this had happened to and how they dealt with the situation. I think it would be much more frustrating. Thanks Again.
   — continuedmoon

December 27, 2005
I was advised, well in advance, that my Lap procedure may become Open if my surgeon's view was impeded by scar tissue. (I've had three c-sections) I was pleasantly surprised when I awoke to find it had been completed Lap AND my gall bladder was gone. I fully expected it to be Open. There are numerous reasons it may not work out Lap and even the best surgeon cannot predict or guarantee until he is doing the procedure.
   — LauraA

December 28, 2005
Oh Boy, talk about an Open procedure!! I was scheduled for a lap procedure but when the surgeons took a look around they HAD to open me up! My intestines were completely encased in a ball (adhesions). They had to open that, only to find that I had a possible congenital defect with my intestines leaving them twisted and my appendix malformed. They had to go through everything and untwist my intestines, remove my appendix, as well as, do the surgery. So actually, the surgery was a blessing in disguise!!! If my intestines HAD twisted off - I would have been in emergency surgery with possible dead bowel or intestine!! Believe me, everyone is different - when you are on the operating table there is no telling what the surgeons may find or may need to do to carry out the scheduled procedure.
   — bjfretz