laparoscopy

Examination of the contents of the abdominopelvic cavity with a laparoscope passed through the abdominal wall. SEE ALSO: peritoneoscopy. SYN: abdominoscopy.L. first became clinically practicable with the development of fiberoptics in the 1960s and of high-intensity, low-heat halogen bulbs in the 1970s. The technique has become standard, in selected cases, for many routine surgical procedures formerly requiring laparotomy, such as appendectomy, cholecystectomy, inguinal herniorrhaphy, oophorectomy, a second look after excision of an ovarian tumor, and diagnostic evaluation of endometriosis and female infertility. The peritoneal cavity is first inflated with CO₂ gas, and the laparoscope passed through a small incision in the abdominal wall. A second incision is usually required to provide surgical access to the area of interest. An elaborate armamentarium of surgical instruments has been developed to perform incision, drainage, excision, cautery, ligation, suturing, and other procedures with the laparoscope. The risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications, the cost of treatment, and hospitalization time are generally less with laparoscopic surgery than with traditional open procedures.

- closed l. l. performed after insufflation of the abdominal cavity using a percutaneously placed needle.

- open l. l. performed after insufflation of the abdomen using a trocar placed under direct vision after making a small celiotomy incision.

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lap·a·ros·co·py .lap-ə-'räs-kə-pē n, pl -pies

1) visual examination of the inside of the abdomen by means of a laparoscope called also peritoneoscopy

2) an operation (as tubal ligation or gallbladder removal) involving laparoscopy

lap·a·ro·scop·ic -rə-'skäp-ik adj

lap·a·ro·scop·i·cal·ly -i-k(ə-)lē adv

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(peritoneoscopy)

n.

examination of the abdominal structures (which are contained within the peritoneum) by means of an illuminated tubular instrument (laparoscope). This is passed through a small incision in the wall of the abdomen after injecting carbon dioxide into the abdominal cavity (pneumoperitoneum). In addition to being a diagnostic aid, it is used when taking a biopsy, aspirating cysts, and dividing adhesions. Surgery, including cholecystectomy, fundoplication, colectomy, hemicolectomy, and the occlusion of Fallopian tubes for sterilization, can also be performed through a laparoscope, using either a laser or diathermy to control bleeding (see also minimally invasive surgery). The laparoscope is also used for collecting ova for in vitro fertilization and in performing certain gynaecological operations using a laser (laser laparoscopy).

• laparoscopic adj.

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lap·a·ros·co·py (lap″ə-rosґkə-pe) [laparo- + -scopy] examination of the interior of the abdomen by means of a laparoscope. Called also abdominoscopy, celioscopy, and peritoneoscopy.