The development of laparoscopy in children is designed to decrease the risks of this technique by respecting certain rules (particularly open laparoscopy). The indications are beginning to be well defined for certain frequent diseases (appendicitis, impalpable testes, gastro-oesophageal reflux) suitable for prospective studies, but remain much more subjective in other indications (splenectomy, lumboscopy) due to the limited paediatric series.