Minimally invasive or endoscopic surgery is a hot topic in hospitals and doctors’ offices around the world. The very name of the procedure makes the surgery sound more attractive to patients who may fear the traumatic effects of traditional surgery. While there are certainly benefits to endoscopic surgery, like any other medical procedure, there are plenty of questions that factor into the decision of whether or not minimally invasive surgery can be successful for a particular patient. Doctors around the world are taking a cautious, but progressive step forward in the types of minimally invasive surgery they can perform, and the results are exciting for the medical field and patients alike.

What is Endoscopic Surgery?

In endoscopic surgery the surgeon uses an endoscope, a long, flexible tube with a light and a camera attached to its end. During an operation, the surgeon inserts this tube into an incision ranging from one-third to three-quarters of an inch long and uses the camera to project the operation onto a monitor. The surgeon then watches this monitor while they perform the operation, carefully maneuvering their instruments through the tiny incision. In some cases, a surgeon may need to make other small incisions, depending on the location or necessary tools required for the operation.

Started in the late 1980s, endoscopic surgery was mainly used for the removal of gallbladders and for appendectomies. However, throughout the 21st century endoscopic surgery has expanded to perform operations for:

– Cardiology

– Neurology

– Vascular systems

– Urology

– Gynecology

– Respiratory systems

– And more

Advantages and Disadvantages of Endoscopic Surgery

The biggest advantage to endoscopic surgery over traditional surgery is the smaller incision. Whereas traditional surgeries may require cutting through muscles or even bones, endoscopic surgery allows for the surgeon to maneuver through the body by doing as little damage as possible. Often times, patient recovery is based more so on the healing of the incision than the actual procedure being performed. In minimally invasive surgery, recovery times, scarring, and the risk of infection are all drastically reduced thanks to the smaller incision.

While endoscopic surgery may sound better to patients, it is a little more taxing for the doctors. Endoscopic surgery can take much longer than traditional surgeries due to the fact that surgeons have a more limited range of motion for their instruments. However, through the advancement of laser and robotic technologies, procedure times are rapidly decreasing, and some doctors claim to be able to do operations in an equivalent, if not faster amount of time than traditional surgery.

How Safe is Endoscopic Surgery?

The safety of an operation largely depends on what operation is being performed. Regardless of whether a patient undergoes traditional or endoscopic surgery, their risk factors will be greater for cardiac operations than for an appendectomy or gallbladder removal. For doctors, every surgery has three main goals:

– Fix the problem

– Operate safely

– Do so with as little trauma as possible

In terms of patient safety and well being, doctors are more willing to sacrifice the third option and increase a patient’s recovery time rather than chance not fixing a problem or taking too many risks. The safety of any medical procedure also largely depends on the age, weight, and general health of a patient. For extremely sick or frail patients, traditional surgery may be the safer option because it decreases the amount of time the patient will spend on the operating table. However, for the average person, minimally invasive surgery is a perfectly safe option that creates less scarring, dramatically decreases recovery time, and is equally as successful as traditional surgery.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to minimally invasive surgery.

Peg Smith has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to minimally invasive surgery. http://www.lsiscottsdale.com/

Author Bio: Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to minimally invasive surgery.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: minimally invasive surgery