The Department of Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital is a pioneering, international leader in minimally invasive surgery, performing thousands of procedures annually and serving as premier training and research sites. Many of our board certified surgeons were among the first innovators of minimally invasive surgical techniques. Today, our surgical leaders continue to develop and advance minimally invasive approaches and teach colleagues throughout the world.
What is minimally invasive surgery?
“Minimally invasive” is a term used for any type of surgery that is less invasive than traditional or open surgery. There are many methods of minimally invasive surgery that have become the standard of care for a wide range of medical conditions, ranging from common medical issues to complex cancers.
Surgeons skilled in minimally invasive surgery, also referred to as laparoscopic, endoscopic or “key hole” surgery depending upon the body part, typically insert a tube with a camera and light attached, along with specially designed surgical tools, into the skin through one or more tiny incisions. The camera sends images to a computer screen that the surgeon views and uses for guidance during the operation. Robotic surgery and image-guided surgery are newer, more advanced types of minimally invasive surgery that may also be used for certain conditions. These approaches can enhance a surgeon’s vision, precision and control by providing magnified, 3-D views of the surgical site.
Minimally invasive techniques have been proven to reduce pain, blood loss and recovery time as well as minimize trauma to tissue. Talk with your surgeon to see if you are a candidate for minimally invasive surgery.
