The concept of laparoscopy is to place a laparoscope (camera) and specialized instruments into the body through small ¼-inch incisions. Carbon dioxide is introduced into the body cavity to distend the body wall to create more working room. Once the camera and instruments are in place, the operation performed is identical to the open procedure except it is done much less invasively.

For example, a patient undergoing a procedure to remove a kidney (nephrectomy) or piece of kidney with tumor (partial nephrectomy) using an open surgical technique will require a 8-18 inch incision. The same operation performed laparoscopically requires only three to four incisions each less than ¼ inch and a small 3-inch extraction incision hidden just above the patient's pubic bone. These smaller incisions cause significantly less trauma to the body and allow the patient to heal faster and return to work and/or normal activities more quickly.

Open surgery leaves a large scar		Laparoscopic surgery involves only small incisions

The da Vinci System (robotics) adds further advantages to the laparoscopic technique by providing 3D stereoscopic optics, computer elimination of tremor, six degrees of instrument wrist motion and scale down of movement. This allows for more precision within a smaller operative field and is particularly useful in procedures which involve extensive suturing and reconstruction.