What does laparoscopy mean?
Laparoscopy is a medical procedure in which a surgeon inserts a laparoscope—a slender viewing instrument—through a small incision in the abdomen to examine internal organs and, when necessary, perform surgery. It is minimally invasive compared with an open operation, usually involving several small incisions rather than one large one. The technique is associated with less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery, although its suitability depends on the condition and the patient's circumstances. In everyday medical language, “laparoscopy” can mean either the examination alone or the broader procedure in which diagnosis and treatment take place. The related term “laparoscopic” is ubiquitous in descriptions of operations involving the gallbladder, appendix, and other abdominal structures.
nounAn examination of the abdominal cavity, or certain organs within it, using a laparoscope inserted through a small incision. The term may also refer to minimally invasive surgery performed with a laparoscope.
- Medical examination of the abdominal cavity or its organs through a laparoscope, often also involving treatment during the same procedure.
"The surgeon used a laparoscopy to examine the patient's abdomen before removing the inflamed appendix."
"She underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy after imaging tests suggested a possible abdominal disorder."
"The operation was completed as a laparoscopy, avoiding the pain and recovery time associated with open surgery."
The plural is grammatically possible but uncommon; writers often use “laparoscopic examinations” or the relevant anatomical term instead.
"The hospital records include several laparoscopies performed during the year."
Thanks to laparoscopy, many abdominal operations that once required large incisions can now be performed through a few small keyhole-sized openings.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does laparoscopy come from?
The word was formed in the early 20th century from Greek roots meaning “abdomen” or “flank” and “to examine.” The combining form laparoscope follows the same development: the scope is an instrument for viewing a body cavity. Laparotomy, an older surgical term, shares the abdominal root but refers to an operation through a large incision rather than a minimally invasive examination.
Related word forms
How laparoscopy is actually used
In contemporary medical usage, laparoscopy may refer either to the examination itself or, more broadly, to surgery performed through laparoscopic instruments. The associated adjective is commonly used in forms such as “laparoscopic surgery” and “laparoscopic removal.”
Easily confused with laparoscopy
A laparoscopy uses small incisions and a viewing instrument, whereas a laparotomy is an operation involving a larger abdominal incision.
Endoscopy is a broad term for examining the interior of the body with an endoscope, while laparoscopy specifically refers to the abdomen or pelvic organs.