Which of the following surgical procedures would require a dressing after closure?

In surgical practice, the need for a dressing after closure often depends on the type of procedure and the expected level of exudate or the potential for contamination. Laparotomy, which involves making a large incision in the abdominal wall to access the abdominal cavity, typically results in a significant wound that can benefit from the application of a dressing.

Dressing is applied to protect the wound from infection, absorb any drainage that might occur postoperatively, and promote healing. Since laparotomy incisions are larger compared to other laparoscopic techniques, they generally require more careful management and external protection, making the use of dressing necessary.

In contrast, procedures such as laparoscopy involve smaller incisions that may not require dressings, as they can be closed with minimal exposure and typically do not have as much drainage. Similarly, craniotomy and cholecystectomy may or may not require dressings depending on the specifics of the case, but they are often managed with different wound care techniques due to their unique anatomical considerations and closure methods.