Surgical Incisions

Question 1

Midline

Answer 1

• Incision made through linea alba
• Blood loss is minimal – linea alba is an avascular structure
• Used for access to abdominal cavity

Question 2

Paramedian

Answer 2

• Incision performed lateral to linea alba
• Provide access to more lateral structures (e.g. kidneys, spleen, adrenals)
• Can cause muscle atrophy due to ligation of blood vessels and nerves to abdominal muscles

Question 3

Kocher

Answer 3

• Incision begins inferior to xiphoid and extends inferolaterally in parallel to RIGHT costal margin
• Used mainly for access to gallbladder and biliary tree pathology (e.g. cholecystectomy)

Question 4

Rooftop

Answer 4

• Incision begins inferior to xiphoid and extends inferolaterally in parallel to LEFT costal margin
• Used for:
  1) Oesophagectomy
  2) Gastrectomy
  3) Hepatic resections
  4) Liver transplantation
  5) Adrenalectomy

Question 5

McBurney

Answer 5

• Performed 2/3 distance from umbilicus to ASIS (McBurney’s point)
• Used for appendicectomy