What is the purpose of a laparotomy?

A laparotomy is a surgical procedure that involves making an incision into the abdominal cavity. The primary purpose of this procedure is to allow access to the internal organs for various diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

In the context of the options provided, performing a laparotomy can encompass multiple objectives. It can indeed be used to remove foreign objects from the abdomen, particularly if they pose a risk to the patient's health or are causing obstruction.

Additionally, laparotomy is critical for diagnosing abdominal issues. Surgeons may use it to explore the abdomen, allowing them to assess conditions such as tumors, infections, or other abnormalities directly.

Moreover, the procedure also facilitates biopsies of internal organs. Surgeons can take tissue samples from suspicious areas during the laparotomy, enabling accurate diagnosis of diseases, including cancers.

Since laparotomy can serve all these functions—removing foreign objects, diagnosing abdominal problems, and performing biopsies—it is accurate to say that the purpose of a laparotomy can include all of the mentioned options. This comprehensive capability to address multiple needs makes the correct choice inclusive of all the possibilities.