Minimally Invasive Surgery

About

Surgery, by definition, is invasive. Operations requiring incisions of some size are referred to as open surgery. Incisions can sometimes leave large wounds that are painful and take a long time to heal.

Because of the patient-centric quality of its care provision, Avicenna Clinic, the private healthcare clinic in Peterborough, strongly advocates the use of minimally invasive surgery where appropriate.

Minimally invasive surgery at Avicenna Clinic is a less intrusive alternative to open surgery and is a style of surgery that is growing in popularity within the healthcare profession.

It requires much smaller incisions due to the use of advanced technology such as endoscopic or laparoscopic cameras which guide the use of specialised instruments into the area for inspection and treatment.

Use of this technique by the clinic’s highly skilled consultants and its state-of-the-art surgical technology ensures minimal discomfort and a faster recovery for patients

This type of procedure significantly reduces tissue damage, associated pain and the risk of infection during surgery. Healing times are considerably shorter than with open surgery, allowing a person to be up and mobile far more quickly.

Common Applications

Not all procedures can be done through minimally invasive methods and your GP/consultant will talk through what is the best option for you.

Examples of minimally invasive procedures include:

  • Adrenalectomy
  • Cancer surgery
  • Chest (thoracic) surgery
  • Colon and rectal surgery
  • Ear, nose and throat surgery
  • General surgery
  • Heart surgery
  • Kidney surgery
  • Living donor kidney transplant
  • Neurosurgery
  • Orthopaedic surgery

 

What can I expect?

Before any procedure, your consultant will discuss, in detail, the surgery to be performed, including expectations, the reason for the procedure, risks, benefits and alternatives.

They will let you know whether you need to stop taking any medication and whether you can eat or drink before the surgery.

During the minimally invasive procedure, you will be put to sleep with a general anaesthetic and will feel no pain. Depending on the procedure being undertaken, your abdomen maybe filled with carbon dioxide gas (CO2), creating a “dome effect.”This gives the surgeon a better view of the organs inside the body and more space to work.

You will be free to go home on the same day as your minimally invasive surgery, although you will need someone to escort you as you will be unable to drive.

Because of the smaller incisions, scars are very small compared to traditional surgery and many people return to work within a few days.

Why should I opt for minimally invasive surgery?

There are many benefits to having minimally invasive surgery such as:

  • Smaller incisions
  • Less pain
  • Lower risk of infection
  • Shorter hospital stay
  • Quicker recovery
  • Less scarring
  • Reduced blood loss

If you have any further questions regarding your procedure or condition, please do call Avicenna Clinic on 0330 202 0597 and let one of its highly trained consultants put you at ease and talk you through the process.