RESUMO
The history of laparoscopy started as a primitive diagnostic procedure and it took close to a century before it became an effective therapeutic tool in the management of surgical problems. In this review, we examine the history of laparoscopy, methods of access, and the current application of minimally invasive surgery for the management of common gastrointestinal surgical problems. An evidence based review was utilized with emphasis on systematic reviews published from 1987 to 2009. Following the wide spread use of laparoscopic techniques for gall bladder removal, the benefits of laparoscopic surgery was established in the management of common gastrointestinal surgical problems. Laparoscopic management of colorectal cancer, morbid obesity, and gastroesophageal reflux diseases [GERD] are examined in this review based on the current review of the literature