In most cases, abdominal surgery involves general anesthesia, or narcosis: during the intervention, the patient sleeps and does not feel pain. For certain operations, regional anesthesia may be used or several methods of pain relief may be combined. The anesthesiologist chooses the optimal option taking into account the type and extent of the intervention, the patient's condition, and the presence of concomitant diseases.
The duration of the intervention depends on the diagnosis and its complexity. For example, appendectomy for uncomplicated appendicitis usually takes less time than operations on the intestine that require removal of part of it or elimination of severe complications. It is not always possible to determine the exact duration in advance, since the extent of the operation is sometimes clarified during the intervention.
After the operation, the patient is transferred to the postoperative ward, where blood pressure, pulse, breathing, temperature, and general well-being are monitored. After complex or emergency interventions, observation in the intensive care unit may be required.
After minimally invasive operations, with a normal course of recovery, the patient may stay in the hospital for about 1–2 days. After major open interventions, hospitalization often lasts 7–10 days or longer, especially if the operation was performed urgently, there were severe complications, or the patient requires longer medical observation.