Understanding The Benefits Of Minimally Invasive Surgery
Surgeons and healthcare practitioners today are increasingly in favor of minimally invasive procedures. These procedures can be used to address a variety of conditions in nearly every part of the body, from the removal of tumors or orthopedics.
Minimally invasive surgeries allow surgeons to perform robotic and non-robotic procedures, such as laparoscopic procedures, that allow a look at organs of the body without major incisions using cameras and other devices to remedy the problem.
Open surgery, on the other hand, involves longer stays at the hospital as well as weeks or months of recovery. The issue might be addressed, but the body is not free from damage; open surgery often results in more pain, larger scars and greater risk of complications and infection.
Minimally-invasive procedures, though not problem-free, help reduce many of the issues that come as a result of open surgery practices.
When Is Minimally Invasive Surgery Right for You?
It’s important for patients to understand because the appeal of this procedure should not hinder what is right for you.
Physicians and surgeons will know that every patient is unique and every treatment plan cannot be standardized. The question that emerges is whether a minimally invasive surgery is right for the particular patient and condition that is being treated. The risks, benefits, costs, and advancement of the condition must be factored in.
Some of the biggest advantages of minimally invasive surgery and procedures are as follows:
Shorter procedure times
This is not a given, but generally, these procedures tend to be a lot less time-consuming than traditional open surgeries. This is because the incisions are smaller and fewer in number, and less time is spent suturing because large sections of the body are not cut open.
Less tissue damage and scarring
Given that minimal cuts and incisions are made, scarring and tissue damage are reduced dramatically. Smaller incisions (>1/2 inch–1 inch) allow for faster healing and recovery, as well as less tissue damage, because the muscles are not cut through. You will experience fewer and less noticeable scars, which are also less likely to lead to adhesion and postoperative stiffness. In comparison to that, open surgery requires around 3–8-inch-long incisions, or even larger.
Lowered risk of infection
Since the surgical site is not large, the small wounds keep infections at bay. SSI is as common as 1 in 24 people, which is about 5% of all surgeries performed in the U.S. It’s an alarming statistic because these infections might prove to be fatal but are generally preventable.
Faster recovery time
Your hospital stay will be much shorter and you will be able to resume normal activities and return to work faster as well. For instance, on average, any surgical procedure requires a minimum of two to six weeks of recovery. Since the incisions are smaller, healing is faster and you’ll be able to leave the clinic or hospital within a few days, as well as resume your daily activities much sooner.
More cost-effective
Foot surgeons like ours offer services in clinics and surgical centers, the costs of which can be a lot lower than traditional hospitals. You can reach out to us to learn more about foot and ankle treatment surgery, lapiplasty and other procedures that we offer.
Seeing as the benefits of minimally invasive surgery are too great to overlook, it’s one of the best routes for most orthopedic procedures.