Education and Training -- Commentary -- Access to the Abdomen -- Commentary -- Establishing Pneumoperitoneum: The Ideal Gas and Physiological Consequences -- Commentary -- Laparoscopy in the Acute Abdomen -- Commentary -- Laparoscopy in Special Conditions: Previous Abdominal Surgery, Pregnancy and Liver Disease -- Commentary -- Laparoscopy in Abdominal Trauma -- Commentary -- Laparoscopy in Abdominal Malignancy -- Commentary -- Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery -- Commentary 1 -- Commentary 2 -- Needlescopic Surgery -- Commentary -- Robotic Surgery -- Commentary -- Hiatal Hernia -- Commentary -- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease -- Commentary -- Achalasia -- Commentary -- Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy -- Commentary -- Gastric Resection for Advanced Gastric Cancer -- Commentary -- Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB) for Morbid Obesity -- Commentary -- Vertical Banded Gastroplasty for Morbid Obesity -- Commentary -- Gastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity -- Commentary -- Biliopancreatic Diversion for Morbid Obesity -- Commentary -- Cholecystectomy -- Commentary -- Choledocholithiasis -- Commentary -- Cystic Parasitic and Nonparasitic Liver Disease -- Commentary -- Liver Surgery for Solid Tumors -- Commentary -- Splenectomy -- Commentary 1 -- Commentary 2 -- Adrenalectomy -- Commentary -- Donor Nephrectomy -- Commentary -- Pancreatic Surgery -- Commentary -- Colorectal Surgery -- Commentary -- Appendectomy -- Commentary -- Incisional and Ventral Hernia Repair -- Commentary -- Inguinal Hernia Repair -- Commentary -- Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery -- Commentary.

This is not designed to be yet another textbook in laparoscopic surgery. Instead, its purpose is to specifically address topics of controversy in this rapidly evolving field. The book is aimed not only at the 'dedicated' laparoscopic surgeon, but also at general surgeons and surgical trainees. The aim of each chapter is to define, sharpen and emphasize issues of controversy, using the available evidence. Each chapter has been written by a leading, internationally recognised laparoscopic surgeon and is followed by a critical-'balancing comment' by another expert in the field, not necessarily a laparoscopic.