In the past decade laparoscopic surgery replaced many open operations in general surgery. Apart from therapeutic uses in cholecystectomy, appendectomy, hernia surgery, gastric fundoplication, and increasingly also large intestine surgery, it is indicated diagnostically first of all for unclear abdominal findings and for staging of intra-abdominal malignancies. To date laparoscopy has been used occasionally for diagnosis and therapy of mesenteric ischemia. Patients suffering from mesenteric ischemia are usually old and have comorbid conditions. Quick diagnosis and therapy are necessary due to the pathogenesis of the disease. The low rate of morbidity as well as the easy availability of laparoscopy in principle favor the employment of laparoscopy also for mesenteric ischemia. Against the background of increasing experience in the area of laparoscopic surgery, this study gives an overview of the present value of laparoscopy for mesenteric ischemia.