A telescope with a video camera is introduced through one incision and operating instruments are introduced through one or more other incisions. The operation is performed by the surgeon who watches the image on a television monitor. Many operations in different surgical specialities can now be performed using keyhole techniques. In general surgery a number of operations have become routine. These include gallbladder surgery, hernia surgery, hiatus hernia surgery and an operation to prevent excessive sweating.
All operations carry a complication rate and laparoscopic surgery is no exception.
Complications are rare but can occasionally be serious. Damage to bowel or blood vessels can occasionally occur during introduction of the instruments although great care is always taken to minimise the risks. Damage to intra-abdominal structures can also occur during the surgery and some specific complications are discussed in the sections on individual operations. If any of these serious complications does occur it may be necessary to convert to an open operation. Wound infections are now a rare event with laparoscopic operations as compared with conventional open surgery, as are incisional hernias.