A laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used for both operative and diagnostic purposes. These operations are done under anesthesia through tiny incisions on the abdomen. A laparoscope is a thin tube with a light and tiny camera. Various surgical tools are available to perform laparoscopy.

Laparoscopy is appropriate in most cases of ectopic pregnancy. Laparoscopic myomectomy has been technically possible since the early 1980s. Ovarian cystectomy is also done by operative laparoscopy. For many years, endometriosis and affiliated pelvic disease were primarily managed by laparotomy. However, studies now indicate that even advanced forms of endometriosis can be treated by laparoscopy. Pelvic adhesions impair fertility by disrupting normal tubal-ovarian relationships. Both microsurgical and laparoscopic techniques are used to treat pelvic adhesions.

Laparoscopic surgery is comparatively expensive but has better quality-of-life outcomes than open surgery.