Abstract: A fluid flow regulator of a smoke evacuation system for use with laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery is disclosed. The fluid flow regulator is comprised of a flow regulating means and a conduit connecting means. The flow regulating means in one embodiment includes a diaphragm and one or more orifices of predetermined diameter to provide a significant obstruction to the flow of fluid through the evacuation system. When operatively coupled to the pressurized surgical site, the fluid flow regulator makes possible the continuous evacuation of surgical smoke while simultaneously maintaining the pneumoperitoneum in a distended position for the duration of the laparoscopic procedure. Also disclosed is a method of using the fluid flow regulator to continually evacuate surgical smoke in the course of laparoscopic and endoscopic surgical procedures without deflating the pneumoperitoneum, which hereto for has been used by prior art systems to evacuate surgical smoke.