Minimally-invasive surgical procedures (MISP) can replace conventional open surgeries that use large incisions by performing the same “internal” surgical procedure through smaller incisions. This is made possible by the use of a camera and state of the art surgical instruments and devices. When determined to be appropriate for an individual patient, this newer approach often leads to less tissue trauma, less post-surgical stress, less scarring, an overall speedier recovery, and most importantly less pain for patients. Minimally invasive procedures involve the skilled use of innovative surgical equipment that includes camera inserted either through small incisions in the skin or through a natural body opening, a video screen, and in some instances remotely controlled instruments. This technologically advanced surgical approach generally results in shorter hospital stays, even permitting some patients to go home the day of surgery for conditions that have previously required hospital admission.
MISP, when applicable, offers several advantages over conventional surgery. These benefits may include:
Smaller incisions and less scarring
Less injury to tissue, scarring, and overall stress to body
Less post-operative pain and use of pain medication
Reduced blood loss
Decreased risk of post-operative infections
Decreased risk of incisional hernias
Shorter hospital stays/faster recovery
Quicker return to activities of daily living
MISP is changing the way many people think about surgery by providing surgical results that are equivalent to those of conventional surgery without compromising patient safety
More than 20 million Americans have already experienced MISP. Are you a candidate for MISP? Do you want to get you back to the things that are most important to you as quickly as possible? That's a question you'll need to discuss with your doctor.
Some of the more common surgical operations that may be amenable to MISP include:
Abdominal Surgery:
Laparoscopic appendectomy
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair
Laparoscopic incisional hernia repair
Laparoscopic colon and rectal surgery for benign or malignant disease
Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for reflux disease
Laparoscopic pancreatic resection
Laparoscopic splenectomy
Laparoscopic adrenalectomy
Chest Surgery:
Pulmonary lobectomy (removal of a piece of the lung)
Esophagectomy (removal of the food tube)
Thymectomy (removal of the thymus gland; often done for myasthenia gravis)
Mediastinal tumor removal (tumors in the center of the chest)
Sympathectomy (cutting the nerves that cause excessive sweating)
First rib resection (removal of the first rib for nerve or blood vessel compression)
Drainage of pleural effusions/empyema (drain fluid/infections around the lung)
Gynecological Surgery:
Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy
Laparoscopic hysterectomy
Laparoscopic fibroid removal (myomectomy)
Laparoscopic ovarian cyst removal
Laparoscopic removal of ovaries
Laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis
Laparoscopic repair of uterine, cervical or vaginal prolapse
Laparoscopic treatment of incontinence
Laparoscopic treatment of uterine and cervical cancer
Hysteroscopic endometrial ablation
Hysteroscopic myomectomy
Urinary Incontinence Surgery:
Trans-vaginal tape procedure
Trans-obturator tape procedure
Ureteral bulking injections
Vaginal pelvic support surgery