A minimally invasive surgical technique that uses a thin, lighted camera (laparoscope) inserted through small incisions in the abdomen to examine or operate on internal organs. It results in less pain, scarring, and recovery time compared to open surgery.
From Greek 'lapara' (the soft part of the body between ribs and hip, meaning flank or loin) and 'skopein' (to look or examine). The technique was developed in the early 20th century, revolutionizing abdominal surgery.
Laparoscopy transformed surgery from large, traumatic incisions to 'keyhole surgery' using incisions smaller than a dime - imagine performing complex operations inside the body while watching on a TV screen! This technique has made procedures like gallbladder removal so routine that patients often go home the same day, compared to weeks of recovery with traditional surgery.
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