Gone are the days when large surgical incision during a surgery was an absolute necessity for a successful surgical procedure as exposure was the key to a safe and successful operation. Exposure is still essential for a safe and successful operation, except that it can now be provided with minimal skin incision and the use of a miniature access approach like laparoscopy and endoscopy. A minimal access surgery is a surgical procedure that is far less invasive than open / conventional surgery and used for the same purpose. A minimally invasive procedure typically involves use of laparoscopic devices and remote-control manipulation of instruments with indirect observation of the surgical field through an endoscope / camera or similar device, and are carried out through the skin or through a body cavity or anatomical opening. This may result in shorter hospital stays, faster healing, or allow outpatient treatment plus less incision area is exposed to any infection. Minimally invasive techniques allow for less tissue damage, blood loss in surgery, quicker recovery with shorter hospital stays, and less pain after surgery. These techniques also allow a greater number of people who would otherwise not be a good candidate for surgery due to co-morbidities, to have successful operations.
Advantages of Minimal Access Surgeries
• Minimal access surgery (MAS) offers dramatic advantages in terms of the quality of life after the operation.
• Video imaging allows surgical assistants, anaesthesiologists, and nurses to view what the surgeon is doing and to actively participate in the procedure in their respective roles.
• Postoperative pain is reduced, which decreases postoperative narcotic use and its complications. This also aids in lower pulmonary complications.
• Smaller wounds are associated with fewer wound complications, less scarring, and better cosmoses.
• MAS results in reduction of postoperative adhesions.
• Patients stay in the hospital for a shorter period and recover faster.
• Patients are able to return to their normal activities faster (example, feeding, school, work).
• Laparoscopy often offers better visualization than open surgery, particularly better visualization of the hiatus and deep structures in the pelvis.
Most widely performed Minimal Access Surgeries/Laparoscopic surgeries are in our associate hospitals are :
• Obesity/ Bariatric Surgery
• Hernia Surgery
• Gall Bladder Surgery
• Appendicitis Surgery