A brief historical review of the laparoscopy is made. The technique was introduced by Kelling in 1901 and remained only exploratory during a long time and was used mainly by internists and gynecologic surgeons. Nevertheless the operative laparoscopy is being used since 1970. The general surgeons have ignored its use in the treatment of digestive or abdominal surgery. The technological development with the use of computer chips and microcamera coupled to the laparoscopy made possible the first cholecystectomy by Mouret in 1987. Since that time, in the history of surgery, very few procedures have transformed so quickly and drastically the practice of the surgeons. The laparoscopic surgery is now effective and accurate to be employed in almost all the abdominal operations done before only by conventional way. The authors make a review of the physiological alterations occurred by the use of pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic surgery, the limitations and the factors the can restrict the use of the technique, the present indications and the complications.
Laparoscopy; Laparoscopic surgery; Complications