【Abstract】Objective To investigate the value of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of small bowel diseases.Methods Data of thirtythree cases of small bowel diseases receiving laparoscopy in this hospital from May 2000 to February 2004 were analyzed retrospectively. Results All cases underwent laparoscopy successfully and no complication was observed. The mean operative time was 65 min.The mean intraoperative blood loss was 30 ml. Postoperative pain was mild. Flatus and feces were passed about 32 hours after treatment and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 7 days. The pathologic examination showed: 18 benign and 6 lowgrade malignant stromal tumors, 5 Meckel’s diverticula and 4 NonHodgkin’s lymphomas. No recurrence occurred in 33 cases during the followup for 10 to 36 months.Conclusion Laparoscopy is a very useful and minimally invasive technique in the diagnosis and treatment of small bowel diseases. It is simple, safe, effective and worthy of be clinically applied.