(Literally: examination of the abdominal cavity.) Minimally invasive diagnostic surgery (mostly via the navel) to investigate the abdominal cavity and its organs (e.g. intestine, liver, ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus). The diagnostic intervention can be extended (check of patency of the fallopian tubes by ascending blue test). Surgery can be carried out by introduction of suitable instruments (surgical laparoscopy; minimally invasive surgery). Today, laparoscopy is generally performed under video control.