What is the medical term that describes a surgical operation in which the abdomen is opened to inspect for disease?

The medical term that describes a surgical operation in which the abdomen is opened to inspect for disease is known as a laparotomy. This procedure involves making a large incision in the abdominal wall to allow access to the abdominal cavity for diagnosis or treatment of various conditions.

While exploratory laparoscopy involves inspecting the abdominal cavity as well, it is performed using minimal incisions and a camera, which differentiates it from laparotomy. An appendectomy refers specifically to the surgical removal of the appendix, and a cholecystectomy is the removal of the gallbladder. Both of these procedures are definitive surgical treatments rather than diagnostic explorations of the abdomen. Thus, laparotomy is the correct terminology for an open surgical procedure aimed at inspecting the abdomen for disease.