What are LAP Sites?

nursedawn67, LPN · Oct 8, 2006

I'm just wondering.. What are lap sites? I read on a pt. kardex and it says "Lap Sites x3 OTA w/ steri strips" And what does OTA means? o.O??

OTA=open to air

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2006

Lap sites are small incisions that accomodate the scope and instruments used during a laproscopic procedure. We call them lap sites for short. They may have a couple steri strips over them when the patient returns from surgery. They could have tegaderm covering or dermabond to close them. It just depends on the doctors preference.

So the kardex note you read was referring to the patients incisions from the laproscopic procedure were steri stripped and open to air (meaning they didnt have any dressing on them)

Larry77, RN · Oct 8, 2006

I'm just wondering.. What are lap sites? I read on a pt. kardex and it says "Lap Sites x3 OTA w/ steri strips" And what does OTA means? o.O??

Lap sites would be where the surgeon went in with a laparoscopy scope during surgery...usually a small site about 1/2inch in length.

solumedrol · Oct 8, 2006

OTA=open to air

Oh i see. Thanks!

solumedrol · Oct 8, 2006

Lap sites are small incisions that accomodate the scope and instruments used during a laproscopic procedure. We call them lap sites for short. They may have a couple steri strips over them when the patient returns from surgery. They could have tegaderm covering or dermabond to close them. It just depends on the doctors preference.
So the kardex note you read was referring to the patients incisions from the laproscopic procedure were steri stripped and open to air (meaning they didnt have any dressing on them)

Oh I see. Thanks for the information.

Another question. How do I manage and care for the Lap sites? Just take out the old steri strips and clean the site with a 2x2 gauze damped in normal saline or sterile water? And then put steri strips again on it?

solumedrol · Oct 8, 2006

Lap sites would be where the surgeon went in with a laparoscopy scope during surgery...usually a small site about 1/2inch in length.

I see. thanks for the information. this forum is really helpful!

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2006

Lap sites need no care from the nurse only observation. The patient can shower and pat dry. The steri strips and/or tegaderm will fall off by themselves eventually and shouldnt be taken off. If there is a lot of drainage from the site under a tegaderm you can cover it with a 4x4 or 2x2 to absorb the excess drainage until the doctor looks at it. Steri strips are left in place and again an absorbent dressing is applied if there is any drainage.

If you havent gone through med/surg yet you will learn these things, you wont be left to figure them out by yourself.