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Navigating the World of Minimally Invasive Surgery: What You Need to Know

Minimally invasive surgery or MIS refers to any surgical procedure performed through tiny incisions instead of a large opening. Your surgeon will make minor incisions. You will likely have a quicker recovery time and less pain than the old open surgery but with the same benefits as regular surgery.

MIS is an umbrella term for any surgery less invasive than conventional open surgery. MIS technique was introduced to the medical world in the 1980s as a safer opportunity for universal open surgeries. Since then, many doctors have come to prefer MIS techniques as a safe and effective way to meet surgical needs with fewer health risks. MIS has spread widely into many areas of practice. MIS offers many benefits in challenging surgeries.

What are the types of MISs?

Robotic surgery:

Modern robotic systems give doctors outstanding control and vision during surgery, allowing them to perform safe, less invasive, and accurate surgical procedures. Your surgeon will take help from a console equipped with two master controllers to navigate four robotic arms. Your surgeon may view a high-definition 3-D image on the console, and then he can see the surgical procedure better than ever before. Computer software can produce incredibly accurate motions in place of genuine hand movements.

Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS)

Bits of help from minimally invasive robotic surgery can include:

• Minor or small incisions
• Less pain
• Negligible risk of infection
• Minimize hospital stay
• Fast recovery time
• Negligible scarring
• Cut down on blood loss

Surgeons can treat a few conditions using robotic-assisted surgery, including:

• General: Pancreatic cancer, non-cancerogenic pancreatic lesions, liver tumours, gallbladder cancer, astringent GERD, obesity-related surgeries including gastric bypass, bariatric surgery, gastric banding
• Lung: Some lung tumours, oesophagal cancer, and diseases
• Gynecologic: Endometriosis, ovarian or cervical cancer, heavy uterine bleeding, uterine fibroids, uterine prolapse, ovarian cysts, non-cancerogenic cervical disorders
• Head and neck: Head and neck cancer, thyroid cancer
• Heart: Mitral valve plunge and repair, atrial septal defect, atrial fibrillation
• Urological conditions: Urinary bladder cancer, kidney stones, kidney cysts, kidney blockage, kidney cancer, kidney removal, prostate cancer, Urine incontinence, vaginal plunge

Surgeons cannot complete all MISs with robot assistance, and not all medical cases are perfect for robotic-assisted surgery. A few patients may benefit from endoscopic or open (regular) surgery.

How does robotic surgery work?

Robotic surgery, or robotic-assisted surgery, is done with an electronic operating station or similar to a computer. From this station, your surgeon controls a high-definition camera and robotic arms that perform the surgery.

Your surgeon will perform robotic-assisted surgeries in the following steps,

• Robotic surgery is a minimally invasive surgery that uses a robot-assisted system to perform surgical procedures.
• The robot-assisted system typically consists of a console where the surgeon sits and controls the robot and robotic arms that hold and manipulate surgical instruments.
• The surgeon's hand motions are converted into accurate robotic movements to operate the robot-assisted system.
• The surgeon uses a 3D high-definition camera to get a magnified view of the surgical site.
• The robotic arms have specialized instruments that can perform many surgical tasks with high precision and accuracy.
• The surgeon controls the robotic arms from the console and can make small, precise movements that are impossible with traditional surgery.
• The robot-assisted system also provides enhanced visualization, allowing the surgeon to see the surgical site in greater detail.
• Robotic surgery offers several advantages over traditional surgery, including smaller incisions, less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times.
• Prevalent surgical procedures performed using robotic surgery include prostate, gynaecological, colorectal, and heart surgery.
• However, robotic surgery is unsuitable for all types of surgeries and should be determined on a case-by-case basis by a qualified surgeon.

Please note that robotic surgery should only be performed by trained and experienced surgeons using the robotic-assisted system. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for medical advice and guidance.

 

How does non-robotic surgery work?

Non-robotic MIS includes laparoscopic, keyhole, endoscopic, or endovascular surgery. This procedure is similar to robotic surgery. It utilizes robotic arms, and your surgeon will use his hands.

Your surgeon will perform the most endoscopic surgeries. 

What are some of the issues that non-robotic surgery can help?

Your surgeon uses the same condition treated with robotic surgery. Surgeons who treat many patients can also go with non-robotic surgery.

Other conditions treated with non-robotic surgery include those relating to:

• Vascular
• Varicose veins
• vascular disease

Neurological or spinal

• spinal cord or discs disorders
• your surrounding brain tumour
• treatment for injuries to the brain or spine

When are MISs not an option?

Every patient is different, and so is every medical issue. There are a few cases when open surgery is the best approach. Some surgeries, such as complex thoracic aneurysm repairs, and experts cannot perform effectively through small incisions. In other situations, a surgeon may plan an MIS but then find it necessary to switch to an open procedure for better visualization. It varies significantly by speciality and your possibilities with your surgeon.

What are the risks of MISs or robotic surgery?

General anaesthesia and infections at the surgical site are risks that can occur with robotic surgery. Patients can talk to their surgeon before they have non-robotic MISs to see if it’s the best option. If endoscopic surgery does not allow them to complete the procedure satisfactorily, your physician may do open surgery. This action may result in a scar and a lengthier healing period.

FAQs:

What is minimally invasive surgery?

• Minimally invasive surgery is a surgical technique that uses small incisions and specialized instruments to perform surgical procedures with less disruption to surrounding tissues compared to traditional open surgery.
• MIS is also known as a laparoscopic, keyhole, or robotic-assisted surgery.

How is minimally invasive surgery performed?

• Minimally invasive surgery involves making small incisions (usually less than an inch) through which specialized instruments and a camera (laparoscope) insertion. 
• The surgeon uses these instruments to manipulate tissues, remove organs, or repair structures with the help of real-time images from the camera.
• This approach often results in less scarring, less pain, and faster recovery as a link to open surgery.

What are the benefits of minimally invasive surgery?

• Minimally invasive surgery offers several benefits, including smaller incisions, less blood loss, reduced pain, faster recovery, shorter hospital stays, and lower risk of complications.
• It also allows for better visualization with high-definition cameras providing detailed images, and specialized instruments permit precise movements and improved surgical outcomes.

Is minimally invasive surgery suitable for everyone?

• Minimally invasive surgery is unsuitable for all patients and all types of surgeries. The decision to use this approach depends on various factors, including the patient's overall health, the complexity of the surgical procedure, and the surgeon's expertise.
• Some patients with certain medical conditions, anatomical constraints, or previous surgeries may not be candidates for minimally invasive surgery and may require traditional open surgery.
• It is crucial to consult with a qualified healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate surgical approach for your individual needs.

Please note that these answers are general and should not substitute professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical information and guidance.