Laparoscopes

A laparoscope is a long, thin instrument with a light source and a camera at the end, used to view the inside of the abdomen or pelvis. In laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgery, the instrument is inserted through small incisions, allowing surgeons to inspect the cavity, diagnose disease, or perform operations with less trauma than open surgery.

The laparoscope is part of a broader system that includes trocars or access ports, a video monitor, a light source, and specialized surgical instruments that pass through the trocars. The abdominal cavity is often inflated with carbon dioxide to create a working space and improve visualization during the procedure.

History and development date back to early 20th century experiments by Georg Kelling, with modern laparoscopic techniques gaining widespread use in the late 1980s. The first laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in the mid-1980s, and the approach quickly spread to a wide range of abdominal and pelvic operations.

Common indications include diagnostic laparoscopy and procedures such as cholecystectomy, appendectomy, hernia repair, gynecologic operations (for example tubal ligation, oophorectomy, or hysterectomy), and colectomy, among others. Laparoscopy is also used for elective and emergency abdominal surgery, as well as certain cancer procedures.

Advantages over open surgery typically include smaller scars, reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, less postoperative pain, and faster recovery. Risks, although generally low, include injury to organs, bleeding, infection, complications from anesthesia, and port-site hernias. Proper training, case selection, and adherence to safety protocols are essential for optimal outcomes.