The laparoscope allows doctors to perform both minor and complex surgeries with a few small cuts in the abdomen. There are a number of advantages to the patient with laparoscopic surgery versus an open procedure. These include reduced pain due to smaller incisions and shorter recovery time.
There are two types of laparoscopes:
1. A telescopic rod lens system, usually connected to a video camera (single chip or three chip)
2. A digital laparoscope where a miniature digital video camera is placed at the end of the laparoscope, eliminating the rod lens system.
