Many other organs can now also be approached in a similar manner. These include the stomach, intestines, pancreas and spleen, kidneys and all the females organs. More recently operations have also been developed for diseases of the bladder and the prostate in men.

As new surgical instruments and better cameras and video display systems are developed, the frontiers for laparoscopic surgery will expand even further. Hopefully, in time the cost of this impressive technology should decrease - allowing surgeons in all corners of the global community to practice it.

The advantages of this method of operating are several. First, since the overall trauma to the skin and muscles is reduced, post operative pain is less - allowing patients to get out of bed sooner. They are often able then to walk and move around within a few short hours following their operations.

The second advantage is a reduced infection rate. This is because delicate tissues are not exposed to the air of the operating room over long periods of time - as they are when the body is wide open in traditional operations. Video magnification also offers surgeons better exposure of the diseased organ and its surrounding vessels and nerves. As a result, delicate maneuvers can be performed to protect these vital structures during the removal or repair of target organs.