SummaryThe authors have studied 57 cases of Hodgkin’s disease in which laparotomy was performed (46 primary and 11 recurrent cases).They consider that laparotomy is indispensable for a more precise diagnosis of the disease and particularly of its extent and degree which is usually difficult to assess by clinical examination alone. They specify when it is indicated and suggest the contraindications.Finally, they are of the opinion that laparotomy is irreplaceable in designing an adequate treatment.In the framework of radiotherapy as the primary treatment of Hodgkin’s disease, the placing of metallic clips during the laparotomy reduces the volume which will be irradiated and an anatomo-pathological examination permits the immediate initiation of chemotherapy if there is an invasion of the liver or as required if stabilisation does not occur in cases of lympho-histio-plasmocytic infiltration of the liver.Laparotomy also has the advantage of allowing ovary pexis in a zone which is not irradiated. This is interesting both from a therapeutical as well as a psychological point of view.