The term comes from the Greek word λᾰπάρᾱ <unk> ara) 'the soft part of the body between the ribs and hip, flank' and the suffix -tomy, from the Greek word τομή (tome) '(surgical) cut'. In diagnostic<unk>  (most often referred to as an exploratory<unk>  and abbreviated ex-lap), the nature of the disease is unknown, and<unk>  is deemed the best way to identify the cause. In therapeutic<unk> , a cause has been identified (e.g. colon cancer) and the operation is required for its therapy. Usually, only exploratory<unk>  is considered a stand-alone surgical operation. When a specific operation is already planned,<unk>  is considered merely the first step of the procedure.
Laparotomy
Escharotomy
Preperitoneal packing
Abdominal decompression
Whole bowel irrigation
Infiltration analgesia
Enterostomy
Chromopertubation