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Exploratory surgery was a medical procedure performed by a surgeon with the intent of discovering the cause of a health problem. This was generally done only when other non-invasive means were unrevealing. One example of exploratory surgery was fundoscopic examination. (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)

Upon first examining Geordi La Forge in 2364, Doctor Beverly Crusher suggested performing exploratory surgery on him to possibly desensitize his brain to the pain caused by the use of his VISOR. La Forge declined, as either doing so or using painkilling drugs would affect how the VISOR worked. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint")

In 2367, believing Ambassador Odan's male host to have a parasitic infection, Crusher told him of the need for exploratory surgery to facilitate his diagnosis and treatment. He begged her not to, placing the preservation of Odan, the symbiont, over his own. (TNG: "The Host")

In 2371, Quark asked Doctor Julian Bashir to perform exploratory surgery on Grand Nagus Zek in order to determine the cause of his unusually generous behavior, which was later found to be caused by the Bajoran Prophets. His request was prompted by Bashir's inability to find anything wrong with the Nagus using various medical equipment. Bashir refused Quark's request, believing it to be unnecessary. (DS9: "Prophet Motive")

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