Between November 1993 and August 1997, 49 patients (29 women and 20 men) were selected to 51 laparoscopic and laparoscopic-assisted colonic or rectal operations. Five operations were converted to open surgery because of technical problems and adhesions. 46 operations could be performed as planned. The median age was 67 years (20-88 years). A variety of procedures were carried out, including construction of deviating sigmoideostomas without resection (n = 17), segmental resections of colon (n = 15), rectopexi (n = 6), stoma closure (n = 4), abdominoperineal resection (n = 3) and suture of an iatrogenic perforation of the large bowel (n = 1). Eight of the patients with a bowel resection had carcinoma. The median duration of the procedures was 112 minutes (38-293 minutes) and the length of hospitalisation eight days (2-40 days). 13 patients (28%) developed complications. One of these patients died and four were reoperated. These first experiences show that we are able to perform a variety of colorectal surgery laparoscopically. An experienced, well organised operating team with modern laparoscopic equipment is essential to this type of surgery. Prospective, randomised studies have to be done to assess the efficacy of the laparoscopic approach.