Laparoscopy

Last updated September 2009
Edited by: Guy Slowik, FRCS

Putting It All Together

Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to laparoscopy:

  • Laparoscopy is surgery on the abdomen performed through very small incisions in the body. It is used to diagnose and treat many different conditions and diseases.

  • Doctors perform laparoscopy with a pencil-thin instrument called a laparoscope a thin fiber optic telescope equipped with a video camera, light, and other devices that allows the surgeon to see into the abdominal cavity through very small incisions. It has a strong light and a miniature camera that sends images of the surgery area to a video monitor above the operating table.

  • Laparoscopy is called minimally invasive surgery surgery done through very small incisions with miniature instruments because the incisions are so small. Common non-technical names for the procedure are belly button surgery a common name for laparoscopy, minimally invasive surgery on the abdomen and Band-Aid surgery surgery done through very small incisions that sometimes are covered with adhesive bandage strips; a common name for minimally invasive surgery.

  • For minimally invasive operations on the abdomen, incisions may be only half an inch long, compared to four to six inches for traditional "open" surgery.

  • Minimally invasive surgery has many advantages. Individuals remain in the hospital for a shorter period, experience less discomfort, heal quicker, and can return to daily activities faster than is possible with traditional "open surgery."

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