This lecture will provide practical tips and advice on when and how to perform a thorough exploratory laparotomy. It will include a detailed ‘visual tour’ of the clinically relevant anatomy, tips for biopsying abdominal organs and recommendations for how to open and close a large coeliotomy incision. It will help you to know when an exlap is indicated and what the essential considerations are before embarking on surgery; be able to describe the clinically relevant anatomy when performing a thorough exlap; learn surgical tips for performing biopsies of abdominal organs; know the current recommendations for opening and closing a large coeliotomy incision.