What is Minimally Invasive (or Laparoscopic) Surgery?
The term minimally invasive surgery is used to describe abdominal surgery performed without making a large incision through the skin and muscle to open the abdomen. Instead, a scope is inserted through a trochar inserted into the abdomen through a 1/2 inch incision. The abdomen is insufflated with CO2 gas to distend it like a tent, allowing visualization of the abdominal organs.
