Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure to look at the organs inside the abdomen to check for signs of disease. Small incisions (cuts) are made in the wall of the abdomen and a laparoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted into one of the incisions. Other instruments may be inserted through the same or other incisions to perform procedures such as removing organs or taking tissue samples to be checked under a microscope for signs of disease.

Types of laparoscopies

Laparoscopic gynecological surgery

Use a laparoscope for minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of gynecological conditions.

Laparoscopic kidney surgery

Minimally invasive surgery in which the kidney is accessed through a series of small incisions in the abdomen.

Laparoscopic liver surgery

A minimally-invasive surgical technical suitable for treating a large number of liver diseases.

Laparoscopic lymphadenectomy

Minimally-invasive laparoscopic surgery to access, biopsy or remove the lymph nodes.

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

A less-invasive type of radical prostatectomy in which the prostate gland is removed through small incisions using a laparoscope (a long, flexible lighted tube with a video camera attached) and special long, thin surgical tools. This type of procedure is commonly performed by a surgeon using a robot to precisely maneuver surgical tools (robotic laparoscopic radical prostatectomy).

Additional resources