During the last 35 years, gynecologic laparoscopy has evolved from a limited surgical procedure used only for diagnosis and tubal ligations to a major surgical tool used to treat a multitude of gynecologic indications. Today, laparoscopy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed by gynecologists.

For many procedures, such as removal of an ectopic pregnancy, treatment of endometriosis, or ovarian cystectomy, laparoscopy has become the treatment of choice. Compared with laparotomy, multiple studies have shown laparoscopy to be safer, to be less expensive, and to have a shorter recovery time. The advantages of laparoscopy for other procedures, including laparoscopically assisted hysterectomy and the staging and treatment of gynecologic cancers, continue to be elucidated.