A Guide to Noninvasive Procedures
Minimally invasive procedures are surgical techniques that require only small incisions to the skin. With such small incisions, healing time, pain, and risk of infection are all much lower when compared with invasive surgery. A patient might require only a bandage on their incision instead of stitches or staples, and so this allows for quicker recovery time, shorter hospital stay, or even an outpatient treatment. Noninvasive procedures do not require any incision to the skin at all.
Why Noninvasive or Minimally Invasive Surgery?
Minimally invasive surgery came about in the 1980s as an alternative to traditional, or open, surgery. Over the past few decades, medical knowledge has increased, and new, innovative technologies have emerged to meet the surgical needs of patients in a safe and effective way. These days, many doctors prefer minimally invasive surgeries or noninvasive procedures over traditional surgery, which requires larger incisions and a longer hospital stay.
The use of minimally invasive surgery has expanded widely in a variety of surgical specialties. Heart, kidney, kidney, neurological, orthopedic, thoracic, and urological conditions can be treated with minimally invasive techniques.
The benefits of minimally invasive surgery are widespread. They include:
· Small incisions
· Reduced blood loss
· Less scarring
· Less pain
· Low risk of infection
· Shorter hospital stay
· Quick recovery time
A Few Common Procedures
Minimally invasive surgery has been growing and evolving due to increasing knowledge and technology in the industry. Doctors are continuously being equipped with improved medical devices that make procedures less invasive and safer for patients. Robotic systems can give doctors greater control and vision during procedures.
· Balloon sinuplasty. Balloon sinuplasty dilates the opening of the nasal sinuses. An endoscope, a long tubular instrument is inserted into the nasal passageways, and the doctor guides a small balloon catheter to the cavity entrance. The balloon slowly inflates to open up the passageway, allowing debris to be flushed out.
· Endoscopic surgery. An endoscopy procedure allows your doctor to examine the interior of a body cavity or organ. An endoscope is inserted directly into an organ through a small incision. It can be used to visually examine and diagnose and can even help during surgery. Although there are a variety of endoscopic procedures, most often it is an examination of the upper part of the digestive tract.
· Laser treatment. Laser treatments are completely noninvasive and require no incisions. Laser treatments can be used to treat a variety of conditions. Laser skin resurfacing can reduce fine lines and wrinkles, treat uneven skin pigmentation, and reduce acne scarring.
Minimally invasive surgery uses smaller surgical incisions and is generally much less risky than traditional surgery. Because the field has expanded so widely in the past decades into many different surgical specialties, minimally invasive or noninvasive techniques can be used to treat a variety of conditions. Talk with your doctor about where you are a good candidate for this surgical approach.
