A laparotomy's a surgical procedure involving an incision through the abdominal wall to gain access into the abdominal cavity. It's also known as coeliotomy. Terminology In diagnostic laparotomy (most often referred to as an exploratory laparotomy and abbreviated Ex-Lap), the nature of the disease's unknown, and laparotomy's deemed the best way to identify the cause. In therapeutic laparotomy, a cause has been identified (for example peptic ulcer, colon cancer) and laparotomy's required for it… (More on Laparotomy)