Minimally Invasive Surgery at Mission Hospital

When you are facing surgery you and your family may feel anxious, wondering what will happen, how long recovery will take, and when you can return to normal activities. Physicians may use Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) methods whenever possible because these techniques usually help you get back to your normal life more quickly. In most cases, you can be in and out in the same day, recovering at home where you are more comfortable.

The advantages of Minimally Invasive Surgery may include:

• Less Pain
• Shorter hospital stays
• Speedier return to everyday activity
• Minimal scarring
• Shorter recovery times
• Less trauma to surrounding tissue  

What is MIS (Minimally Invasive Surgery)?
MIS takes advantage of technologically advanced small, flexible instruments. Using these instruments, our skilled surgeons make very small incisions in the body. These instruments allow surgeons to see inside your body and perform even complex procedures without large incisions.

Minimally Invasive Surgery procedures are used most often in:

• General surgery
• Gynecology
• Orthopedics
• Urology  

A commonly used MIS procedure is called a laparoscopy—this technique allows surgeons to view inside any part of the body by making several small incisions. Thin, flexible instruments with a tiny video camera attached are inserted in the incisions. The video camera becomes the surgeon’s eyes, so large incisions are not needed, and the surgeon’s hand never enters the body. This procedure can be done quickly with minimal pain. It’s used for many general surgeries like appendectomy and colon surgery.  Gynecology surgeons use it for procedures such as biopsy and hysterectomy. In urology, surgeons may use laparoscopy to treat multiple conditions including the treatment of cancer of the kidney, bladder and prostste; female urinary conditions and difficulty urinating as well as for the treatment of kidney stones. 

Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) is a huge technology step forward that’s often used by surgeons. In this procedure, all the instruments are inserted through one incision, usually the navel. This method usually means no visible scarring and faster recovery. SILS is used by general surgery for these procedures:

• Appendectomy
• Cholecystectomy
• Colon Surgery
• Gastric Band
• Hernia repair

daVinci® Robotic Surgery
Robot assisted surgery is an everyday reality at MissionHospital. This advanced system allows greater precision and better visualization so laparoscopy can be performed in a less invasive way. Physicians insert miniaturized instruments and 3-D cameras to conduct surgeries through tiny, dime-sized openings. They do this while sitting at a computer, using the monitor as their eyes. The results may include smaller scars and less pain and trauma to surrounding tissue—all of which means a faster, more comfortable recovery.

Arthroscopic surgery
An important method used by orthopedic surgeons, this procedure allows them to look at any joint in the body without fully opening it, so you have less pain and shorter recovery time. A small scope is inserted into the joint using a small incision, and another small incision is made for the surgical instruments.

Minimally Invasive Surgery methods are not for every surgery, but they can help you recover more quickly with less pain if they are appropriate for your surgical procedure. 

Contact & Referral Information
Talk with your primary care provider about surgical options that are best for your circumstances.  If you find the need for surgery, ask for a referral to one of the surgeons on medical staff at Mission Hospital.