What is Minimally Invasive Surgery?
In the mid-1980's Surgery was revolutionized with the widespread popularization of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. Though Laparoscopic Surgery
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was well utilized by gynecologists for years, the use of the Laparoscope for the removal of the gallbladder transformed an already technically perfect procedure into one in which postoperative pain, recovery period and time until return to complete functional capacity were all reduced drastically. Over a few years, most surgeons in this country and worldwide started performing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. Soon, other "minimally invasive" procedures began to appear, such as Laparoscopic Herniorrhaphy and Laparoscopic Bowel Resections. Today the concept of "minimal invasive" or "minimal access" surgery has penetrated most surgical subspecialties including Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Thoracic, Vascular, Cardiac Surgery and Plastic Surgery.
With the addition of robotics, even the most complex of procedures can be
performed, even with the surgeon across the room or in another country.
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The advantage of this technology is that procedures which previously required weeks or months of post-operative recovery can now be performed on an outpatient or short stay basis. Patients return to full function weeks faster than before.
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Many patients have asked me if I do "laser" surgery. The answer is YES, but this is not the question that is really being asked. Laser Surgery and Laparoscopic Surgery are not synonymous. Lasers are simply a means of cautery, to control bleeding or to cut tissues without causing bleeding. Laparoscopic Surgery refers to the performance of intra-abdominal surgery through small ports inserted through the abdominal wall while visualizing the surgery with a camera (Laparoscope). While some surgeons use lasers in the performance of laparoscopic procedures this is not essential and most laparoscopic surgeons do not. I have found that the laser is useful in some unusual instances, but in general, it only adds hazard and expense to the procedure.
Laparoscopy is not the only form of minimally invasive surgery being performed today. I invite you to explore this site to learn more about surgery performed with minimally invasive technology. The procedures that I personally perform are listed on the Office Services Page. Please visit this site periodically as I intend to update it frequently.
Sincerely,
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