Is exploratory laparotomy and staging laparotomy the same thing?

Exploratory laparotomy and staging laparotomy are not the same, although they are related procedures. An exploratory laparotomy is a surgical operation performed to investigate the abdominal cavity for potential causes of symptoms or conditions, often without a specific diagnosis. In contrast, staging laparotomy is specifically conducted to determine the extent of cancer spread, usually in patients with known malignancies, to guide treatment decisions. While both involve opening the abdomen, their purposes and contexts differ.