What are the benefits of minimally invasive surgery?
When compared to traditional surgery, minimally invasive surgery can result in much less pain and swifter recovery while providing an alternative for repairing and preventing a wide range of conditions. Depending on the procedure, patients may leave the hospital the same day, or in a few days, and return to normal activities more quickly than patients recovering from open surgery.
- Quicker Recovery – Since a minimally invasive procedure requires smaller incisions than conventional surgery (usually about the diameter of a dime), your body may heal much faster.
- Shorter Hospital Stays – Minimally invasive procedures help get you out of the hospital and back to your life sooner than conventional surgery.
- Less scarring – Most incisions are so small that it’s hard to even notice them after the incisions have healed.
- Less pain – Because these procedures are less invasive than conventional surgery, there is typically less pain involved.
What happens during a minimally invasive procedure?
During a minimally invasive procedure, a surgeon makes several small incisions (often less than an inch) or no incisions performing a procedure through the mouth or rectum. A miniature camera (usually a laparoscope or endoscope) is then placed through one of the incisions, the mouth, or rectum, and images from the camera are projected onto monitors in the operating room so surgeons can get a clear and magnified view of the surgical area. Specialized surgical tools through small incisions or an endoscope are used to perform the procedure.
What are some common minimally invasive procedures?
Minimally invasive surgery is the optimal choice for patients for a significant number of surgical procedures including:
- hernia repair
- colon resection
- appendectomy
- procedures to prevent heartburn ( anti-reflux surgery)
- gallbladder removal
- bariatric or weight-loss surgery
What should every patient know?
Patients should be informed by their physician or surgeon when making any healthcare decisions. If you are a patient considering minimally invasive surgery (MIS), we encourage you to review our Patient Information Brochures to learn if you may be a candidate for less invasive surgery, questions to ask your surgeon or physician, common procedures, how to prepare, what happens during your operation and what is expected after surgery.
