Laparoscopic surgery in children

In the last two decades, laparoscopy surgery has been progressively adopted to children. Cardiorespiratory changes induced have been understood and controlled. Abdominal and urological surgery have widely benefited from this technique. Immediate postoperative period is simpler. The risk of small bowel obstruction by bands and adhesions is limited. Nevertheless, laparoscopy is not indicated for all pathologies. In neonatal surgery, more studies are necessary. Maybe the future is robotic surgery. (c) 2005 Elsevier SAS. Tous droits reserves.