Advantages Of Minimally Invasive Surgery Over Open Procedures

Minimally invasive surgery is one of the most critical inventions in the world of surgery. Not only do minimally invasive techniques have advantages over open surgery, but they have expanded the types of surgery that are possible.

Recovery

One of the main advantages of minimally invasive surgery is that recovery time is drastically reduced. Minimally invasive surgeries often mean the patient is under anesthesia for a shorter period. Since patients may have less sedation, they might spend less time in the recovery room after the surgery and have fewer anesthesia-related complications. Recovering from the surgery itself may be a matter of days or weeks instead of months. For example, a minimally invasive hysterectomy requires less time in the hospital after the procedure and the recovery time is approximately a month. An open surgery will require multiple days in the hospital post-op and the recovery can be upwards of three months.

Infection Risk

The reduction of infection risk is another major advantage of minimally invasive procedures. An open procedure generally requires a single, but much larger incision. Minimally invasive techniques require multiple incisions, but they are small and may only require a suture or two to close. The larger the incision, the more the surgical area is exposed to air, which could contain microorganisms. Reducing healing time also reduces infection risk. Many surgical infections occur in the days following the discharge of the patient. Small incisions heal faster and are easier to keep clean and care for than a single, large incision.

Complicated Surgeries

Sometimes approaching a high-risk procedure with minimally invasive techniques is the only way to safely perform a procedure. For example, pancreatic cancer is an especially aggressive form of cancer that is difficult to treat. Surgeries to remove tumors near the pancreas are difficult because of the surrounding major blood vessels. A minimally invasive technique might be the only option for a person with pancreatic cancer to have their tumor resected. Since minimally invasive surgeries use smaller tools and the area can be magnified for better viewing, people who cannot have an open procedure safely may have a chance at the removal of their tumor. Brain surgery is another high-risk surgery. Minimally invasive procedures can be used to remove brain lesions and tumors that would be considered inoperable because of their location deep within the brain.

Minimally invasive surgery is typically preferred over an open procedure due to the clear advantages of the surgery. A wide range of procedures can be performed with minimally invasive techniques to improve patient outcomes.