Laparoscopy is an operation performed in the abdomen or pelvis using small incisions (usually 0.5–1.5 cm) with the aid of a camera. Laparoscopic surgery, also called minimally invasive surgery (MIS), band-aid surgery, or keyhole surgery, is a modern surgical technique. There are number of advantages to the patient with laparoscopic surgery versus an exploratory laparotomy. These include reduced pain due to smaller incisions, reduced haemorrhage and shorter recovery time. The key element is the use of a laparoscope, a long fibre-optic cable system that allows viewing of the affected area by snaking the cable from a more distant, but more easily accessible location.