Minimal Access Surgery
What is a minimally invasive surgery?
According to the NHS, the surgical technique known as minimally invasive surgery enables a surgeon to reach the belly (tummy) and pelvis from the inside without having to make significant skin incisions. This process is sometimes referred to as laparoscopy or keyhole surgery.
Laparoscopy was one of the first forms of minimally invasive surgery. It involves surgery through one or more small incisions while utilizing tiny cameras, tubes, and surgical tools. Robotic surgery is another minimally invasive procedure. It gives the physician an enlarged, three-dimensional image of the surgical site and supports precise, adaptable, and controlled surgical procedures.
Why is a minimally invasive surgery performed?
According to Mayo Clinic, the 1980s saw the emergence of minimally invasive surgery as a safe and efficient method to address the surgical requirements of many patients. Many surgeons now choose it over open surgery, which calls for larger incisions and frequently necessitates a lengthier hospital stay.
Since that time, numerous surgical specialties, such as colon surgery and lung surgery, have greatly increased their usage of minimally invasive surgery. Discuss it with your surgeon if you think you could be a suitable candidate for this surgical method.
How is a minimally invasive surgery performed?
The general steps of laparoscopic surgery are:
- General anesthetic is administered to the patient before the laparoscopic procedure.
- A few tiny incisions will be made by the surgeon to accommodate the laparoscope, necessary surgical instruments, and a tube supplying gas to the abdomen.
- The surgeon will use the instruments to do the operation while keeping monitoring an eye on the abdomen with the use of a laparoscope.
- After the surgery, the surgeon will use the tube to pump out the gas from the abdomen.
- The surgeon will then use stitches to seal any wounds or cuts and then dress them.
What to expect after a minimally invasive surgery?
- Hospital Stay: The inpatient recovery period following minimally invasive surgery is frequently much shorter than the period following traditional surgery. The length of your inpatient recuperation will be determined by your doctor. After surgery, some patients may be able to return home within a few hours, while others should plan on staying for one to four days. Before leaving home, orthopedic patients might need physical therapy.
- Patients will experience a speedier recovery and shorter hospital stays. In comparison to conventional surgery, minimally invasive surgery often reduces recuperation time by half. Patients released from the hospital on the day of surgery frequently return to work two weeks later. It may take four to six weeks to recover.
- discomfort,Pain and discomfort: Less disruption to unrelated bodily tissues and muscles means minimally invasive surgery is less painful than open surgery. Patients should anticipate some discomfort but less severe. Your doctor will create a suitable pain management treatment plan.
- Minimal Scarring: Doctors try to cause the body as little damage and stress as possible when executing these treatments. Typically, only a millimeter-long incision is used for this procedure. Even though you'll likely still have an incision scar once it heals, it will be far less noticeable than conventional treatment. Keep the area tidy; if anything seems out of the ordinary, see your doctor.