Surgery might be defined as the treatment of medical problems by mechanical means. This often involves performing operations whereby malfunctioning or abnormal parts are removed or repaired. This has traditionally required making large incisions to get to the part that needs the attention. The incision is the part of the operation that causes all the pain and really contributes nothing to the patient's recovery.
Minimally invasive surgery is a new approach whereby the same operations are done using specialized instruments designed to fit into the body through several tiny punctures instead of one large incision. Instead of looking directly at the part of the body being treated, the physician monitors the procedure via a special video camera called a laparoscope inserted through one of the small punctures. By eliminating the large incision, much of the pain of recovery can also be eliminated.

STOMACH
Highly Selective vagotomy (for ulcers)
Nissen fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux

BARIATRIC SURGERY
ALL commonly performed bariatric operations are now performed laparoscopically. These include:
     Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
     Adjustable gastric band (Lap-band)
     Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
     Biliopancreatic diversion (Scopinaro operation)
     Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch

SMALL BOWEL
Lysis of adhesions for intestinal obstruction
COLON
Partial colon removal for diverticulosis or cancer

APPENDIX
Appendectomy

HEPATOBILIARY TRACT
Cholecystectomy (Gallbladder removal)
Common bile duct exploration (for stones)
Liver biopsy
Hepatic Resection
Staging of pancreatic cancer

ENDOCRINE
Adrenalectomy

SPLEEN
Splenectomy

HERNIA REPAIR
Groin and incisional (ventral) hernias

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
FEMALE
Hysterectomy (Removal of uterus)
Oophorectomy (Removal of ovaries)
Treatment of ectopic pregnancy
Repair of damaged Fallopian tubes
Treatment of endometriosis
Tubal ligation (tying tubes)
Presacral Neurectomy (for pelvic pain)

MALE
Lymph node dissection for staging of prostate cancer
Ligation of varicocele
Exploration for undescended testicles

ORTHOPEDIC/NEUROSURGICAL
Lumbar and Thoracic discectomy and spinal fusion
Artificial Disk Replacement

MISCELLANEOUS
Thoracic Sympathectomy for Hyperhidrosis Palmaris (Cutting sympathetic nerves to treat excessive sweating of the palms), or for excessive axillary sweating.