The impact of laparoscopy on modern urologic practice.

The original concept of laparoscopy developed as a branch of cystoscopy. Since the use of the Nitze cystoscope at its inception, laparoscopy has kept pace with the innovations in our cystoscopic inventory. The recently emerging interest of urologists in utility of the laparoscope for a variety of urologic surgery is a welcome renascence of this procedure, which has been used mainly by our gynecologic colleagues, in part because of our own lack of pursuit in its development. Laparoscopy should now become an integral part of our urologic teaching and practice.