What surgical procedure examines the abdomen using a laparoscope?

Laparoscopy is the surgical procedure that utilizes a laparoscope, a small, thin tube with a camera and light, to examine the abdominal cavity. This minimally invasive technique allows for direct visualization of the organs inside the abdomen without the need for a large incision, which is a significant advantage in terms of recovery and postoperative pain management. During laparoscopy, the surgeon can also perform various procedures such as biopsies, appendectomies, or surgery on reproductive organs, all done through small incisions.

In contrast, colposcopy involves examining the cervix using a special magnifying instrument called a colposcope, primarily for evaluating cervical abnormalities. Hysteroscopy, on the other hand, is the examination of the inside of the uterus using a hysteroscope, which is not applicable to abdominal assessment. Laparotomy refers to a more traditional surgical procedure that involves making a larger incision in the abdominal wall to gain access to the abdomen, which does not utilize the laparoscope and is therefore less minimally invasive than laparoscopy.