What is minimally invasive surgery?

Minimally invasive surgery is a procedure that uses special tools to minimize the amount of damage to incisions and body tissues.

One type of minimally invasive surgery requires the use of a "speculum," which allows the surgeon to look inside the body without having to fully open it. The other type of surgery is called endovascular surgery, in which the surgeon uses X-rays to look inside the body, along with suitable endovascular special devices. This article will describe the operation using speculum.

There are several different types of sneakoscopes, but they work in much the same way. They are made of thin tubes with tiny cameras and lights at the end that transmit images from inside the body to a television screen. During the operation, the surgeon will make one small incision that is just the right size for the speculum to pass through, and two or more incisions that will fit through the narrow instrument. The surgeon controls these tools outside the body, including clamps, scissors and suture instruments, and manipulates them while viewing images on the screen.

What are the different types?

There are many different types of minimally invasive surgery that are named based on the part of the body involved and the speculum used in this way:

"Thoracoscopic surgery" is the use of thoracoscopy in the chest for the removal of lung tissue masses or the performing of certain heart procedures.

"Laparoscopic surgery" is the use of a laparoscope in the abdomen, and "abdominal cavity" is the area between the bottom of the chest and the hip. The procedure is used to remove the gallbladder, appendix or uterus, or to perform a variety of other procedures.

"Hysteroscopic surgery" is the use of hysteroscopy in the uterus and vagina, applicable to the removal of abnormal tissue masses in the uterus or the performing of some other uterine and vaginal procedures.

Arthroscopic surgery is the use of an arthroscope inside the joint. It is suitable for the repair or reconstruction of knee, shoulder and hip joints.

Some minimally invasive procedures require the use of surgical "robots", namely, machines controlled by the surgeon, also known as "robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery", or "robotic surgery" for short, whose tools have better maneuverability than conventional surgery.

What is the difference with conventional surgery?

Recovery from minimally invasive surgery is usually easier because:

It usually causes several small wounds rather than one big one

The degree of organ movement is low

However, minimally invasive surgery is still a kind of surgery. These procedures cause some pain, often require stitches, and can cause infections or other problems.

Do patients have the option of minimally invasive surgery?

It isn't. While there are many procedures that can be performed using minimally invasive methods, the choice is not always up to the patient. Whether a patient can have this type of surgery depends on:

There are no experienced surgeons to perform the required operations

Surgical reasons, for example, minimally invasive surgery is not necessarily appropriate for patients who need surgery to remove a large cancer focus.

Other conditions that may exist, such as an intolerance to minimally invasive surgery due to serious heart or lung problems.

Even if a minimally invasive procedure is initiated, there is no guarantee that the procedure will always be performed. Sometimes, surgeons begin minimally invasive surgery, but then discover something unexpected that requires a switch to open surgery. It's not a mistake, it's always about patient safety.