The indications for laparoscopic surgery have steadily diversified over the last several years. At the present time, the level of comfort with laparoscopic procedures has allowed surgeons to perform procedures which several years ago never would have been attempted. One of the indications for surgery which has only recently been appreciated is bowel obstruction. Specifically, in the last several years a number of authors have described successful application of the laparoscope to treat patients with either acute or chronic bowel obstruction. This article reviews the indications and contraindications for the procedure as well as recommended preoperative evaluation and suggested surgical technique. Furthermore, the early results in these few series is discussed.