Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique that provides access to the abdominal and pelvic cavities through small incisions using a laparoscope, a rigid telescope coupled to a camera and light source. The cavity is distended with insufflated carbon dioxide to create a working space, or pneumoperitoneum,…
Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique that provides access to the abdominal and pelvic cavities through small incisions using a laparoscope, a rigid telescope coupled to a camera and light source. The cavity is distended with insufflated carbon dioxide to create a working space, or pneumoperitoneum, after which fine instruments are introduced through trocar ports to allow inspection, biopsy, and operative manipulation under magnified video guidance. Originally diagnostic, laparoscopy now underpins a broad range of therapeutic procedures across general, gastrointestinal, gynaecological, and urological surgery, including cholecystectomy, colorectal resection, and operations on the bladder, ovary, and small bowel, and it is increasingly applied in emergency and oncological settings. Compared with open laparotomy it typically reduces incisional trauma, postoperative pain, and recovery time, though it demands specific skills and carries risks related to port placement, insufflation, and the physiological effects of pneumoperitoneum on cardiorespiratory function. Adaptations include diagnostic staging laparoscopy, laparoscopic repair of injuries and herniations, and management of obstructive conditions such as volvulus. The approach is also established in veterinary surgery, where comparisons of laparoscopic and open techniques inform anaesthetic and physiological management. As a foundational modality of contemporary surgery, laparoscopy continues to expand in indication and technical sophistication.
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