Laparotomy is vision of the abdominal content by direct eyesight through an abdominal incision. Laparoscopy achieves the same or better result with an optic device placed into the abdomen through special introducers. Exploration, part or complete procedures, can be performed with much less postoperative morbidity; thishas instilled a new sense of optimism in both the community and surgical ranks. Suddenly it appeared that the old "sacred" rules of traditional surgery had been buried under a thick layer of dust.