Comprehensive Details About
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) is a type of surgery that involves using small incisions and specialized surgical tools to perform a procedure, as opposed to traditional open surgery, which involves larger incisions.
During Minimally Invasive Sugery (MIS), a surgeon will typically make a few small incisions, usually less than one centimeter in size, and insert specialized surgical instruments and a camera called a laparoscope through these incisions. The laparoscope provides the surgeon with a magnified view of the surgical site, allowing them to perform the procedure with precision and accuracy.
MIS techniques can be used in a variety of surgical procedures, including abdominal surgery, thoracic surgery, gynecologic surgery, and urologic surgery. Some of the benefits of MIS include smaller incisions, less pain and scarring, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times, and a lower risk of complications compared to traditional open surgery.
What does minimally invasive surgery mean?
Minimally invasive surgery allows your surgeon to use techniques that limit the size and number of cuts, or incisions, that they need to make. It’s typically considered safer than open surgery. You’ll usually recover more quickly, spend less time in the hospital, and feel more comfortable while you heal.
In traditional open surgery, your surgeon makes one large cut to see the part of your body that they’re operating on. In minimally invasive surgery, your surgeon uses small tools, cameras, and lights that fit through several tiny cuts in your skin. This allows your surgeon to perform surgery without opening a lot of skin and muscle.
Some minimally invasive surgeries are done with robotic technology that allows more precise control over the surgery. Other minimally invasive surgeries are done without robotic surgery.
What are the Benefits of Minimally Invasive Surgery?
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has several benefits over traditional open surgery, including:
Less pain: MIS generally involves smaller incisions and less tissue trauma, which leads to less pain and discomfort after surgery. This can often result in less need for pain medication and a faster recovery time.
Smaller incisions: MIS uses smaller incisions, which reduces scarring and can improve the cosmetic outcome of the surgery.
Shorter hospital stays: Patients who undergo MIS typically have shorter hospital stays than those who have traditional open surgery. This can save on hospital costs and allow patients to return to their normal activities sooner.
Faster recovery time: MIS can result in a faster recovery time than traditional open surgery, which can allow patients to return to work and other activities sooner.
Reduced risk of complications: Because MIS involves smaller incisions and less tissue trauma, there is typically a lower risk of complications such as bleeding, infection, and other post-surgical problems.
Reduced blood loss: MIS can result in less blood loss during surgery, which can reduce the need for blood transfusions and decrease the risk of complications related to blood loss.
Overall, MIS can provide many benefits to patients, including less pain, faster recovery, and a lower risk of complications, compared to traditional open surgery. However, not all surgeries can be performed using MIS techniques, and the decision to use MIS should be made by a qualified surgeon after careful consideration of the patient’s medical history and individual circumstances.
The team at VERITAS OBGYN performs many minimally invasive surgeries in the doctor’s office, so you can go home the same day.
What Conditions are Treated with Minimally Invasive Surgery?
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques are commonly used in gynecology to treat a variety of conditions. Some common gynecological conditions that may be treated with MIS include:
Fibroids: Fibroids are non-cancerous growths in the uterus that can cause heavy bleeding and pain. MIS techniques such as laparoscopic myomectomy or hysteroscopic myomectomy can be used to remove fibroids while preserving the uterus.
Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus and can cause pain and infertility. MIS techniques such as laparoscopic excision or ablation can be used to remove endometriosis lesions.
Pelvic organ prolapse: Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition where the pelvic organs, such as the bladder, uterus, or rectum, descend from their normal positions and can cause urinary or fecal incontinence and discomfort. MIS techniques such as laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy or vaginal mesh placement can be used to correct pelvic organ prolapse.
Ovarian cysts: Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form on the ovaries and can cause pain and discomfort. MIS techniques such as laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy can be used to remove cysts while preserving the ovary.
Abnormal uterine bleeding: Abnormal uterine bleeding can be caused by a variety of conditions such as polyps, fibroids, or hormonal imbalances. MIS techniques such as hysteroscopy can be used to diagnose and treat these conditions.
Sterilization: MIS techniques such as laparoscopic tubal ligation or hysteroscopic sterilization can be used to provide permanent contraception.
It is important to discuss all treatment options with a qualified healthcare provider to determine the best approach for each individual patient.
Other gynecologic cancers may also be removed using minimally invasive surgery.
What Procedures are Performed with Minimally Invasive Surgery?
There are several procedures in gynecology that can be performed using minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques. Some common gynecological procedures that can be performed using MIS include:
Laparoscopic hysterectomy: This is a surgical procedure to remove the uterus using laparoscopic instruments. It is typically performed for conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, and pelvic organ prolapse.
Laparoscopic myomectomy: This is a surgical procedure to remove fibroids from the uterus using laparoscopic instruments. It is typically performed for women who wish to preserve their fertility.
Hysteroscopic polypectomy: This is a surgical procedure to remove uterine polyps using a hysteroscope, which is a thin, lighted tube that is inserted through the vagina and cervix.
Hysteroscopic myomectomy: This is a surgical procedure to remove fibroids from the uterus using a hysteroscope. It is typically performed for women who wish to preserve their fertility.
Laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy: This is a surgical procedure to remove ovarian cysts using laparoscopic instruments. It is typically performed for women who have large or symptomatic cysts.
Laparoscopic tubal ligation: This is a permanent form of contraception that involves blocking or sealing the fallopian tubes using laparoscopic instruments.
Vaginal hysterectomy: This is a surgical procedure to remove the uterus through the vagina. It is typically performed for conditions such as prolapse, fibroids, or abnormal bleeding.
MIS techniques offer several advantages over traditional open surgery, including smaller incisions, less pain, shorter recovery time, and reduced risk of complications. However, not all gynecological procedures can be performed using MIS techniques, and the decision to use MIS should be made by a qualified healthcare provider after careful consideration of the patient’s medical history and individual circumstances.
Our Specialists
Virginia Elizabeth Mclean, MD, FACOG
Dr. Virginia McLean, MD is an Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialist in New York, NY. Her office accepts telehealth appointments.
Dr. Mclean graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine in 2014. She works in Port Jefferson Station, NY and 8 other locations and specializes in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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