How many incisions are made for laparoscopic surgery?

September 23, 2025 •

3 min read

Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery has revolutionized modern medicine. For example, a standard laparoscopic appendectomy is completed in roughly 30 to 60 minutes, using a few small incisions instead of one large opening, drastically reducing recovery time.

Quick Summary

The number of incisions for laparoscopic surgery typically ranges from one to four, depending on the specific procedure, surgical technique, and patient factors. Most standard laparoscopic procedures use 3 to 4 small incisions to accommodate the camera and instruments.

Key Points

Typical Incisions: Standard laparoscopic procedures use 3 to 4 small incisions, typically a quarter to half an inch in size.
Single-Incision Option (SILS): Some advanced techniques, like SILS, use just a single incision, often hidden within the belly button.
Factors Influence Count: The exact number of incisions depends on the type of surgery, patient anatomy, and the surgeon's technique.
Minimally Invasive Benefits: Fewer incisions result in less pain, less scarring, and a significantly faster recovery compared to open surgery.
Robotic Surgery: This advanced technique can sometimes use more ports, often 4 or more, for the robotic instruments.
Improved Cosmesis: The shift to smaller incisions has a major cosmetic benefit, often leaving minimal or no visible scarring.

Understanding Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopic surgery, often called 'keyhole surgery,' is a minimally invasive technique that allows a surgeon to perform procedures inside the abdomen without making large cuts. The term 'laparoscopy' itself refers to the use of a laparoscope—a slender, telescopic rod with a high-resolution video camera and a light source at the end. This instrument provides a magnified, real-time view of the surgical field on a monitor, enabling precise movements with specialized tools inserted through other small incisions.

The Standard Multi-Port Technique

In a standard laparoscopic procedure, a surgeon makes several small incisions, usually between 5 and 10 millimeters in size. These are strategically placed to give the surgeon the best access to the internal organs. A typical setup includes:

One incision for the laparoscope: This is often placed in or near the belly button (umbilicus) to provide an optimal central viewpoint.
Two to three additional incisions: These are used for inserting specialized surgical instruments, such as forceps, scissors, staplers, and other devices needed to complete the operation.

The number and placement of these 'ports' are not arbitrary. They are carefully chosen based on the specific anatomical targets of the surgery and the need for proper triangulation, a technique that allows for a wide range of motion and angles for the surgical instruments.

Single-Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS)

Advancements in surgical technology have led to single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS). This technique is a variation of the traditional approach where a surgeon performs the entire procedure through a single incision, usually made in the umbilicus. This single cut, while slightly larger than a standard laparoscopic port incision, can be concealed within the natural folds of the belly button, resulting in virtually no visible scarring. SILS is not suitable for all procedures or patients, but it offers enhanced cosmetic benefits for those who qualify.

Factors That Determine Incision Count

The final number of incisions is not a fixed rule but varies based on several clinical factors:

Type of Procedure: A simple diagnostic procedure might require only one or two incisions, whereas a more complex surgery like a laparoscopic hysterectomy might need three or four.
Patient Anatomy: A patient's body size, previous abdominal surgeries (which can cause scar tissue or adhesions), and the location of the target organ all play a role.
Surgical Instrumentation: The number of instruments required for the procedure directly influences how many ports are necessary.
Surgeon's Expertise: A surgeon's experience and specific training with single-port or advanced laparoscopic techniques can also affect the number of incisions made.

A Comparison of Surgical Incision Types

To help illustrate the differences, here is a comparison of various surgical techniques based on the number and size of incisions.


Feature	Traditional Open Surgery	Standard Laparoscopic Surgery	Single-Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS)
Incision Count	One large incision	3 to 4 small incisions	One incision
Incision Size	5 to 7+ inches	0.25 to 0.5 inches	0.5 to 1 inch
Visible Scarring	Highly visible	Minimal, small scars	Often no visible scar
Recovery Time	Longer hospital stay and recovery	Shorter hospital stay and faster recovery	Potentially faster recovery

The Recovery Benefits of Fewer Incisions

The primary advantage of fewer, smaller incisions is the minimal trauma to the body's tissues. This translates into significant benefits for the patient post-operation:

Reduced Pain: Less cutting of skin, muscle, and connective tissue leads to less post-operative pain.
Lower Risk of Infection: Smaller incisions mean less exposure to the external environment, reducing the risk of infection.
Faster Recovery: Patients can often return to their normal daily activities much sooner than with open surgery.
Improved Cosmesis: The smaller, less visible scars are a major cosmetic advantage for many patients.

For more detailed information on minimally invasive procedures, you can consult an authoritative source like the Cleveland Clinic.

Conclusion: Modern Surgical Advancements

While the answer to how many incisions are made for laparoscopic surgery? is not a single number, the defining characteristic is the move towards fewer and smaller access points. This evolution in surgical technique has fundamentally improved the patient experience, offering less pain, faster recovery, and better cosmetic outcomes. Patients considering laparoscopic surgery should discuss the specific procedure and incision plan with their surgeon to understand what to expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, generally, fewer and smaller incisions lead to less tissue trauma, which often results in a faster and less painful recovery period compared to traditional open surgery.

No, the number of incisions can vary widely. Factors like the type and complexity of the procedure, the specific surgical tools needed, and the surgeon's preferred technique all play a role.

Yes, for certain procedures, Single-Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) is an option. It is typically performed through a single entry point in the belly button, offering enhanced cosmetic results. Your surgeon will determine if you are a candidate.

For abdominal procedures, one incision is often made in or near the belly button for the camera. The others are strategically placed on the lower or side abdomen to allow instruments access to the surgical site.

Yes, a surgeon may decide to convert to an open procedure if they encounter unexpected complications, extensive scarring from previous surgeries, or if the anatomy is difficult to visualize.

Most incisions for standard laparoscopic surgery are quite small, generally ranging from 5 to 10 millimeters, or about a quarter to a half an inch.

While small, a series of small scars are common with standard laparoscopic surgery. However, they tend to fade significantly over time. Techniques like SILS can result in virtually no visible scarring.

Yes, the small incisions are typically closed with a few stitches, staples, or surgical glue. In many cases, dissolvable sutures are used for convenience.