abdominal surgery

abdominal surgery, any one of a number of procedures that involve the surgical management of the abdomen or abdominal organs. An open procedure requires a surgical incision that is closed with staples or sutures. Laparoscopic and robotic procedures require small incisions in which instruments are placed through long, hollow tubes attached to a camera. Kinds include appendectomy, cholecystectomy, laparotomy. See also acute abdomen.