Benefits of Minimally Invasive Surgery

Minimally invasive surgical techniques have had a huge impact on the medical field since their introduction in the 1980s and 1990s. In minimally invasive surgery (MIS), various methods and tools are used to operate on the patient with less injury than with open surgery. Computers, cameras, and instruments that make very precise movements facilitate these procedures. MIS is typically an outpatient procedure or only requires a short hospital stay.

However, not every patient is a candidate for the MIS approach. The technique can be done on the heart, urological system, digestive system, kidneys, lungs, heart, and gynecologic system. Examples of MIS procedures include laparoscopy and hysteroscopy. MIS is also considered a better approach to treating a wide range of chest disorders that previously could only be handled through open thoracotomy.

In a minimally invasive procedure, one or several small incisions are made in the skin, in some cases just a few millimeters long. The surgeon passes a thin, long tube with an attached miniature camera (endoscope) through one of the incisions. Images from the camera get projected onto computer monitors so that the surgeon can get a magnified and clear view of the surgical site.

Compared to traditional open surgery procedures, minimally invasive surgery offers a higher accuracy rate. Levels of accuracy are enhanced because the camera allows the surgeon to have a better and clearer view of the patient’s internal organs. Advanced instruments and fiber-optic cameras also allow for more complex and delicate procedures to be done correctly and with better outcomes.

Unlike traditional surgery, which often involves making large incisions, MIS relies on small incisions. They are only large enough to allow the insertion of thin tubes with cameras, small surgical tools, and fiber-optic lights. The small size of these tools make it unnecessary to cut large portions of tissue.

Patients who have undergone a minimally invasive procedure tend to experience less discomfort and pain than those with standard open surgery. This may be explained in part by less trauma during MIS. In comparison, many open procedures necessitate cutting large sections of muscle or other tissue to reach the affected body organ. Minimally invasive surgery is associated with smaller wounds, less post-surgery pain, and faster healing. It also means less need for pain relief medication. The speedier recovery allows the patient to resume their daily life faster.

A significant complication after major surgery is blood loss. Because MIS incisions are minimal, the patient loses less blood compared to open surgery. In addition, because the incisions are small, they have less chance of getting infected than large cuts. This results in less discomfort, faster healing, and less medication use.

With smaller incisions, the scars are also likely to be small. Even when the incisions leave scars, they are typically less noticeable than the longer incisions left by open surgery. MIS is also more cost-effective than open surgery in most cases, although that might depend on the specific procedure. In general, the savings associated with MIS are derived from the shorter post-surgery care period and shorter hospital stay.