A laparoscope is a long narrow telescope introduced into the abdominal cavity to view the abdominal and pelvic organs. This is done by inflating the abdomen with gas and introducing the telescope. When a laparoscopy is done only to diagnose any pathology, it is called a diagnostic laparoscopy. Operative laparoscopy is when surgery is performed using a laparoscope to treat cysts or adhesions in the pelvis.