What is Minimally Invasive Surgery?

Minimally invasive surgery is performed through small incisions. The incisions are so small that many only require one to two stitches. Tiny cameras with microscopes, fiber-optic flashlights, and other intricate instruments are inserted into the incisions. Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive technique that uses a small camera called a laparoscope to look inside the abdomen. Some of the biggest patient benefits of minimally invasive surgery include:

• Faster recovery times – since incisions are smaller, the body doesn’t need as much time to heal. Patients can get back to their daily activities much sooner.
• Smaller scars – smaller incisions mean smaller, less noticeable scars. Incisions from minimally invasive surgeries are typically made lower on the abdomen, depending on the procedure.
• Fewer complications – virtually every surgery using the minimally invasive approach has been shown to minimize the risk for dysfunction of major organ systems, such as the heart and lungs.
• Less pain – because minimally invasive surgery uses smaller incisions, there is less blood loss and less pain.