Ans: The laparotomy procedure involves making incisions into the abdominal wall to gain access to the intra abdominal organs. Depending on the organ to be accessed, incisions can be of different types. The standard incision also known as the midline incision runs through the linea alba. The Paramedian incision runs on the side of the midline and can be used to access kidneys and adrenal glands. Pfannenstiel incision is a cut below the umbilicus and is required to access the pelvic region. A transverse or horizontal incision is often preferred as it heals faster. Apart from this, the subcostal and Chevron incisions are made to treat the liver and the spleen.