With this technique, an instrument equipped with a small camera and light is used to let the surgeon clearly see inside the abdominal cavity.

The surgeon makes 3 to 5 small incisions (cuts) in the abdomen that are 1 to 2 centimetres long. During the surgery, carbon dioxide is pumped into the abdomen to expand its walls and let the surgeon see into the cavity. The gas is then pumped out after the surgery.

With this technique, the surgeon opens the abdominal wall with a 10- to 20-centimetre vertical or horizontal incision.