What surgical procedure involves inspecting the abdominal cavity using a scope?

The procedure that involves inspecting the abdominal cavity using a scope is exploratory laparoscopy. This minimally invasive surgical technique allows surgeons to visualize the inside of the abdomen and pelvic region by inserting a laparoscope, a thin tube equipped with a camera and light, through small incisions in the skin. This method is typically used to diagnose conditions such as appendicitis, ovarian cysts, or endometriosis, and can also facilitate various therapeutic interventions without the need for larger, more invasive surgical incisions.

In contrast, a laparotomy refers to a more invasive surgical procedure where a larger incision is made in the abdominal wall to gain access to the abdominal cavity, primarily for more extensive examinations or surgeries. Colonoscopy is a procedure that focuses on inspecting the colon and rectum using a flexible scope, thus providing limited insight regarding abdominal cavity conditions. Aortography, on the other hand, is a type of imaging study used to visualize the aorta and does not involve inspecting the abdominal cavity directly. Therefore, exploratory laparoscopy is the correct choice for the procedure described.