A laparoscopy is a type of surgical procedure that allows a surgeon to access the inside of the abdomen and pelvis without having to make large incisions in the skin. It is also known as keyhole surgery.
Laparoscopy is minimally invasive. This is made possible with an instrument called a laparoscope.
Laparoscope
A laparoscope is a small tube that consists of a light source and a camera. The camera relays images of the inside of the abdomen or pelvis to a television monitor.
The surgeon makes a small incision in the skin and passes the laparoscope through it to study the organs and tissues inside the abdomen or pelvis.
Read more about how a laparoscopy is performed.
The advantages of this technique over traditional open surgery are that people who have a laparoscopy have:
- a faster recovery time
- less pain after the operation
- minimal scarring
What is a laparoscopy used for?
A laparoscopy can be used to help diagnose a wide range of conditions that develop inside the abdomen or pelvis, such as:
As well as being used to see clearly inside the body, laparoscopies can also be used to carry out surgical procedures. Small surgical instruments and devices, such as lasers, can be passed through incisions in the skin. They are used to perform procedures including removing a damaged or diseased organ, such as an appendix, or to take a biopsy.
Laparoscopy is most commonly used in:
- gynaecology – the study and treatment of conditions that affect the female reproductive system
- gastroenterology – the study and treatment of conditions that affect the digestive system
Read more about when a laparoscopy is used.
Safety
Laparoscopic surgery is very common and is generally regarded as very safe. Serious complications as a result of surgery are rare and occur in an estimated 1 in 1,000 cases.
Possible complications of a laparoscopy include:
- damage to organs, such as the bladder or bowel
- injury to a major artery
