What is laproscopy?

Laparoscopy, also known as diagnostic laparoscopy, is a surgical diagnostic procedure used to examine the organs inside the abdomen. It is a low-risk, minimally invasive procedure. Only small incisions are made.
Laparoscopy uses an instrument called a laparoscope to look at the abdominal organs. A laparoscope is a long, thin tube with a high-intensity light and a high-resolution camera at the front. The instrument is inserted through an incision in the abdominal wall. As it moves along, the camera sends images to a video monitor.
Laparoscopy allows your doctor to see inside your body in real time, without open surgery. The doctor also can obtain biopsy samples during this procedure.
Physicians  may recommend laparoscopy to examine the following organs:
•    appendix
•    gallbladder
•    liver
•    pancreas
•    small and large bowel
•    spleen
•    stomach
•    pelvic or reproductive organs

By observing these areas with a laparoscope, doctors can detect:
•    an abdominal mass or tumor
•    fluid in the abdominal cavity
•    liver disease
•    the effectiveness of certain treatments
•    the degree to which a particular cancer has progressed