Abstract: A method of performing surgery incorporating the advantages of manual palpation manipulation and dissection with the advantages of laparoscopy. The method comprises making a first opening in a body cavity wall to permit entry of a surgeon's gloved hand. Next, the surgeon's gloved hand is placed into the body cavity through the opening and a gas infused into the body cavity through the first opening or through a second opening. The surgical procedure is performed and the surgeon's hand is removed from the body cavity. The surgeon's gloved hand can be provided with a sealant for engaging the sides or surrounding tissue of the first opening, thereby creating a substantially gas-tight seal. The sealant can comprise an inflatable member circumferentially disposed around the forearm portion of the surgeon's glove or can comprise a disk having an adhesive on the distal surface for sealingly engaging the surrounding tissue of an opening in a body cavity wall.