Current Capabilities of Laparoscopic Surgery in Pediatric Practice

Laparoscopic procedures have become the standard of care for many surgical diseases in children owing to low tissue trauma, rapid recovery and a good cosmetic result. Aim: to summarize the current capabilities of laparoscopic surgery in pediatric practice, its indications, technical features, possible complications and development prospects. Materials and methods. An analytical review of the scientific literature was performed, with data systematized by the main sections of pediatric surgery. The anatomical and physiological features of the child that influence laparoscopy are described, along with the main areas of application (acute appendicitis, splenic diseases, oncological and urological operations, pathology of the gastrointestinal tract and inguinal region), complications and their prevention, and the role of robot-assisted technologies. Laparoscopy in childhood is safe and effective with adequate equipment, surgeon training and careful patient selection; its further development is connected with miniaturization of instruments, digital visualization, robotics and specialist training.