What is minimally invasive surgery?
Minimally invasive surgery is surgery that allows your surgeon to use techniques that limit the size and number of cuts or incisions necessary. Typically considered safer than open surgery, minimally invasive surgery often offers speedier recovery times, less time in the hospital, and more comfort while you heal.
In traditional open surgery, the surgeon makes one large cut to see the part of your body that they’re operating on. In minimally invasive surgery, however, the surgeon uses small tools, cameras and lights that fit through several tiny cuts in your skin. This allows the surgeon to perform surgery without opening a lot of skin and muscle.
Some minimally invasive procedures are done with robotic technology that allows more precise control over the surgery. Other minimally invasive surgeries are done without robotic assistance.
How does robotic surgery work?
Robotic surgery, or robotic-assisted surgery, is done with an electronic operating station that’s similar to a computer. From this station, your doctor or surgeon controls a high-definition camera and robotic arms that perform the surgery.
For most robotic-assisted surgeries, the surgeon will:
- Put you under anesthesia so you’re unconscious throughout the surgery.
- Prepare the tools to be used by the robotic arms for the surgery.
- Make several small incisions where the tools will be inserted.
- Insert tools attached to the robotic arms into your body through the incisions.
- Insert a narrow tube with a light and camera (an endoscope) through another incision site to see the area they’re operating on.
- Perform the operation with the robotic arms while looking at endoscope images on the screen.
- Remove all tools from the incisions.
- Stitch the incisions closed once the procedure is complete.
Learn more about minimally invasive surgery in Austin at Lotus
If minimally invasive surgery appeals to you due to all its benefits, we at Lotus may be able to help. To set up an appointment to discuss minimally invasive surgery, contact Lotus at (512) 716-0971 or fill out the form below.
