CENTER OF EXCELLENCE

Overview

Minimally invasive surgery emerged in the 1980s as a safe and effective technique to meet the surgical needs of many people. In the last 20 years, many surgeons have come to prefer it to traditional (open) surgery, which requires larger incisions and, usually, a longer hospital stay. Since then, the use of minimally invasive surgery has expanded widely in many surgical specialties, including colon surgery and lung surgery.

At ITM Hospital and Research Center, minimally invasive surgery techniques are employed by doctors to operate with less damage to the body. Generally, minimally invasive surgery is associated with less pain, shorter hospital stays, and fewer complications.

Laparoscopy, a type of minimally invasive surgery, involves operating through one or more small incisions using small tubes, tiny cameras, and surgical instruments. Another type of minimally invasive surgery is robotic surgery, which provides magnified, 3D views of the surgical site and assists the surgeon in operating with precision, flexibility, and control.

Continual innovations in minimally invasive surgery make it beneficial for people with a wide range of conditions. If you need surgery and believe you may be a candidate for this approach, discuss it with your doctor.