rarely before a vowel lapar-, combining form of Gr. λαπάρᾱ flank, f. λαπαρός soft, in mod. terms of Anat., Surg., etc. Laparectomy [Gr. ἐκτομ-, ἐκτέμνειν to cut out], ‘an excision or cutting out of a portion of the intestine at the side’ (Syd. Soc. Lex., 1888). Laparocele [Gr. κήλη tumor], † (a) ventral hernia at the flank or side of the belly; (b) lumbar hernia. Laparotome [Gr. -τόμος cutter], an instrument for performing laparotomy (1855 in Mayne, Expos. Lex., s.v. Laparotomus). Laparotomy [Gr. -τομία cutting], a cutting through the abdominal walls into the cavity of the abdomen; hence (in some recent Dicts.) Laparotomic a., pertaining to laparotomy; Laparotomist, one who performs laparotomy; Laparotomize v. trans., to perform laparotomy upon. Also prefixed to the names of various surgical operations to denote that they are performed by cutting through the abdominal wall, as in laparo-colotomy, -enterotomy, -hysterectomy: for these and many similar terms see Mayne, Expos. Lex. (1855), and Syd. Soc. Lex. (1888).
1802–19. Rees, Cycl., Laparocele, a term, in Surgery, denoting a swelling, or hernia, at the side of the belly.
1878. T. Bryant, Pract. Surg., I. 630. In Laparotomy the abdomen should be opened in the median line below the umbilicus.
1879. J. M. Duncan, Lect. Dis. Wom., viii. (1889), 49. The laparotomy enthusiasm of recent times.
1885. Lancet, 26 Sept., 566. It indicates the real value of laparotomy as an aid to herniotomy.
