What are the benefits of Minimally Invasive Surgery?
Technology has changed so much in the past 50 years that many surgeries that once could only be completed by opening up the afflicted area can now be done in a minimally invasive manner. Minimally invasive surgery is becoming the norm for procedures requiring lengthy hospital stays and long recovery times. So before you commit to a surgical procedure, check to see if there is a minimally invasive option. Here’s why.
The Surgical Incisions Are Smaller
Open surgeries require large incisions that allow a surgeon to put their hands inside their body so they can repair the injured body part. Minimally invasive procedures, on the other hand, only require small incisions that allow the surgeon to insert highly advanced tools that are extremely small but highly technical.
For example, an open hysterectomy requires a 6-to-12-inch incision, but with laparoscopic tools, you’ll only need two or three-inch-long incisions. Even if you need more incisions with a minimally invasive procedure, it’s much easier to heal from them than a long single incision.
The Scars Are Smaller
If you have a 12-inch incision, the scar will be 12 inches long, and those are difficult to hide and don’t always fade well either. When you have inch-long incisions, they leave much smaller scars that often disappear within a few months. Even if they don’t fade entirely, you can still hide them better than a large one.
There Are Fewer Risks of Complications
The surgeon can see the area they’re working on better with specialized cameras, so their work is more precise than when they use their own eyes. Plus, you get less blood loss with smaller incisions, so you’re unlikely to need an infusion with a minimally invasive procedure than if you opt for open surgery.
Smaller incisions are also less likely to get infected than large ones because there is less room for bacteria to creep in. They are also easier to keep clean and won’t reopen nearly as quickly as they’ve started healing. Fewer complications mean a shorter recovery time because you won’t have to worry about getting better only to take a step back due to a complication.
There Will Be Less Pain
With a minimally invasive procedure, there is less trauma to the body, so when the procedure is over, there is less pain for the patient. Not only do the smaller incisions hurt less than a larger one does, but because the tools the surgeon uses don’t take up much room in your body, they don’t traumatize your muscles as much. Open surgeries require incisions that have to go through a lot of muscle, which will be a source of pain once your anesthesia wears off.
Conclusion
Overall, it’s far better to choose a minimally invasive procedure whenever possible because your body goes through much less than it would if you chose an open surgery. Fortunately, many procedures are now considered minimally invasive as long as it’s appropriate for your condition. Be sure to ask your physician about minimally invasive options before making a final decision.
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