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Abstract

L
aparoscopy (Gr: Laparo-abdomen, scopein-to examine) is the art of examining the abdominal cavity and its contents. It requires insertion of a cannula through the abdomi¬nal wall, distention of the abdominal cavity with gas or air (pneumoperitoneum), and visualization and examination of the abdomen’s contents with an illuminated telescope. With the advent of videocameras and other ancillary instruments, laparoscopy rapidly advanced from a being a diagnostic procedure to one used in fallopian tubal occlusion for sterilization and eventually in the performance of numerous sur¬gical procedures in all surgical disciplines for a variety of indications.

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