The Importance of Minimally Invasive Surgery

Have you ever wondered how and why surgical technology has evolved? Doctors have wondered, how can we advance surgery to improve your experience as a patient? More specifically, how can your recovery be faster? Can there be less scarring and less pain after your operation? These questions have helped spur technology that allows minimally invasive surgical procedures, changing the way people think about surgery. While doctors understand that many factors go into making the right decision for their patients, choosing these innovative procedures over conventional surgery means getting their life back on track faster, due to a safer surgery with less recovery time.

The use of minimally invasive techniques (MIT) in patient care has been well documented, however, it was not until the 1990’s that advancements in technology enabled surgeons to realize the true potential of this approach. The minimally invasive approach has revolutionized surgical care, significantly reducing post-op pain, recovery time and hospital stays, and the overall cost. It is now used around the world and in all major fields of surgery.

How do Minimally Invasive Procedures Work?

Minimally invasive procedures, also called laparoscopic surgery, use state-of-the-art technology to reduce the damage to human tissue when performing surgery. For example, in most procedures, a surgeon makes several small incisions and inserts thin tubes called trocars. Then a miniature camera (usually a laparoscope or endoscope) is placed through one of the trocars so the surgical team can view the procedure as a magnified image on video monitors in the operating room. Then, specialized instruments are placed through the other trocars to perform the procedure.

Benefits of minimally invasive procedures

Not only do these procedures usually provide equivalent outcomes to traditional “open” surgery, which sometimes require a large incision. Minimally invasive procedures, using small incisions, may offer significant benefits including:

• Less bleeding
• Fewer post-op infections
• Fewer complications
• Shorter length of stay
• Quicker return to normal activities
• Quicker return to work
• Less scarring
• Comparable or lower cost

Are you a candidate for a minimally invasive procedure?

 

These kinds of procedures are not for everyone, and you should consult with your doctor about the risks and benefits of minimally invasive surgery. If you believe minimally invasive surgery is right for you, call OrthoSurgeons to request an appointment with Dr. William Hefley.