The patient will be given a general anaesthetic and will be asleep during the operation. Once the patient is asleep, the surgeon inserts a small metal tube called a cannula into his/her tummy button. A telescope, with a miniature video camera mounted on it, is inserted into this tube to project a very high quality video image onto a television screen. The abdomen is then inflated with carbon dioxide to create space in which the surgeon can operate. The operation is performed by inserting specialised instruments which are passed through small hollow tubes which are inserted through separate very small incisions. There may be two or more small incisions required to perform the operation. Once the operation is over, the surgeon will stitch up the inside of the holes and the patient will be taken to the recovery room to wake up from the anaesthetic.
