Minimally invasive surgery is a relatively new technique that allows surgeons to perform procedures more quickly and provides patients with a faster recovery timeline after surgery. This is thanks to a special tool called a laparoscope, a tiny fiber optic tool with a camera and light on the end. This surgical tool allows our surgeons to operate using smaller incisions, reducing recovery time and the risk of complications when compared to traditional “open” surgery.
To help you have a better understanding of what this form of surgery can do for you, we’ve compiled five of the most common types of minimally invasive surgery. They include:
- Colorectal surgery
- Endovascular surgery
- Bariatric surgery
- Cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal)
- Thoracic surgery (chest surgery)
The Most Common Types of Minimally Invasive Surgery
1. Colorectal Surgery
When healthy, your intestines aid in absorbing nutrients from food and processing leftover waste. Unfortunately, problems with your intestines can interfere with this natural process and eventually require colorectal surgery.
This type of treatment may also become necessary for other issues facing the colorectal system, including:
- Colorectal cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Hemorrhoids
These conditions can make everyday activities, like using the bathroom, difficult and uncomfortable. With minimally invasive surgery, our team of board-certified surgeons can treat the source of the problem and restore your health.
This includes performing surgery on the:
- Colon
- Rectum
- Anus
- Bowel
Click here to learn when IBD is serious enough for colorectal surgery!
2. Endovascular Surgery
Endovascular surgery is used to treat issues affecting your blood vessels such as an aneurysm — the swelling (“ballooning”) of the blood vessels of, to, and around your heart. It utilizes grafts that are inserted through the arteries and placed inside the aorta. These permanent grafts then expand and seal off the aneurysm in order to prevent blood from flowing into it.
Traditional “open” surgery used to require the opening of the chest and breastbone as well as a long recovery period. It was common for patients to remain in the hospital for at least a week and take three months to recover.
With endovascular surgery, you have the benefits of :
- A shorter recovery period
- Reduced discomfort
- Local or regional anesthesia rather than general anesthesia
- Smaller incisions
- Less strain on the heart
- Lower risk of complications
To learn more about abdominal aortic aneurysms and how they’re treated, click here!
3. Bariatric Surgery
Also known as obesity surgery, bariatric surgery is a medically proven surgical treatment for weight loss. It is available in different forms and your surgeon will make suggestions based on your individual needs and long-term goals.
We prioritize minimally invasive forms of bariatric surgery at Evansville Surgical Associates, especially favoring:
- Gastric bypass surgery
- Lap sleeve surgery
Gastric bypass surgery may be the most well-known form of bariatric treatment in the U.S. Also known as roux-en-Y gastric bypass, it takes its name from the four feet of the intestine that are bypassed and rerouted into an egg-sized pouch made in the stomach. This significantly reduces the amount of food you can eat and allows you to lose weight.
Lap sleeve surgery has similar results although it works differently. Rather than a bypass, your surgeon staples, divides, and removes a portion of your stomach and connects it to the intestines. This creates a gastric sleeve that reduces the amount of food your stomach can hold. It also limits the production of the chemical that makes you feel hungry (ghrelin).
Click here to read more about when weight loss surgery is necessary!
4. Cholecystectomy (Gallbladder Removal)
The gallbladder is a part of the hepatobiliary system which helps you digest food and aids in other bodily functions. A cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) usually becomes necessary when gallstones have developed. These occur when the digestive fluids inside the gallbladder harden, creating “stones” that range from the size of a grain of rice to the size of a golf ball.
Minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic surgery) is the perfect method for removing the gallbladder in many cases. Your surgeon will begin by making four small incisions in your abdomen. A special tool called a laparoscope is inserted in one of the incisions while the others are used for the other tools to remove the gallbladder.
To learn more about minimally invasive gallbladder removal surgery, click here!
5. Thoracic Surgery (Chest Surgery)
Thoracic surgery is a broad range of surgical procedures that focus specifically on the chest cavity. This can include the treatment of:
- Lung cancer
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Hiatal hernias
- Esophageal cancer
- Mediastinoscopy
Most minimally invasive thoracic surgeries begin with general anesthesia and a breathing tube placed in your airway so each lung can be inflated during your procedure. You are then positioned on your side and five small incisions are made between your ribs so surgeons can use their tools. Once your surgery is completed, a chest tube is inserted to remove any excess fluid or air as well as re-inflate your lungs.
Are you interested in minimally invasive surgery in Evansville, IN? Contact us today to schedule your appointment!
Colorectal surgery treats a wide variety of issues including colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and hemorrhoids. Endovascular surgery is essential for treating aneurysms when they progress to the point of requiring treatment. Bariatric surgery comes in different forms with gastric bypass and lap sleeve surgery being preferred at Evansville Surgical Associates.
The gallbladder helps with digestion and other bodily functions when functioning normally. Unfortunately, gallstones can develop requiring a cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal). Thoracic surgery (chest surgery) may be necessary for a variety of issues including lung cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Hiatal hernias.
Evansville Surgical Associates has been providing comprehensive and compassionate surgical care for over 50 years. Call us at (812) 424-8231 or (800) 264-8231. We are available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. if you would like to schedule an appointment.
