Minimally invasive surgery (/'mɪnɪməli ɪn'vesɪv 'sɜr.dʒər.i/) is a surgical approach that uses smaller incisions to access the surgical area, resulting in less pain, scarring, and recovery time compared to traditional open surgery. The spelling of "minimally invasive" follows English rules for adding the suffix "-ly" to the adjective "minimal". The IPA phonetic transcription reflects the pronunciation of each syllable, including the subtle variations in stress and emphasis. Health professionals continue to refine and expand the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS), also known as minimally invasive procedures or minimal access surgery, is a medical technique that aims to perform surgical procedures with minimal damage to the body. It involves using small incisions or natural body openings to access and operate on the targeted area. The primary goal of minimally invasive surgery is to reduce post-operative complications, minimize scarring, and expedite recovery.
During minimally invasive surgery, specialized surgical instruments such as laparoscopes, endoscopes, or robotic-assisted devices are utilized to visualize and manipulate internal organs or tissues. These instruments are inserted through tiny incisions or small natural openings, avoiding the need for large, traditional open incisions. Through these access points, surgeons employ advanced imaging technologies to guide their actions and carry out intricate surgical procedures.
Minimally invasive surgery offers numerous benefits over traditional open surgery. It generally leads to less post-operative pain, reduced blood loss, lower risk of infection, decreased scarring, and a quicker return to normal activities for patients. The chances of developing complications such as hernias and wound infections are also minimized. Additionally, the decreased trauma to the body often results in shorter hospital stays and reduced healthcare costs.
Minimally invasive surgery can be performed in various medical fields, including general surgery, gynecology, orthopedics, urology, and cardiovascular surgery. As technology continues to advance, MIS techniques are continuously evolving, allowing surgeons to address an ever-widening range of conditions with reduced invasiveness and improved patient outcomes.