Minimally Invasive Surgery
Minimally invasive surgery at a glance
- Minimally invasive surgery features extremely small surgical tools inserted through tiny incisions in the abdomen.
- Minimally invasive procedures require no large surgical incisions.
- Smaller incisions leave smaller scars, reduce the chance of clotting or infection, lessen post-surgery pain and decrease recovery time compared to traditional surgery.
- Laparoscopy and hysteroscopy are two of the most common forms of minimally invasive surgery for gynecologic cancer treatment.
Learn About CU’s Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Team
What is minimally invasive surgery?
Minimally invasive surgery uses extremely small incisions – only large enough for the insertion of special miniscule equipment, such as a camera attached to an endoscope – which a surgeon uses to view or operate on body organs. Minimally invasive surgery is very technical and requires specialized training.
Minimally invasive procedures are an alternative option to traditional (open) surgery, which usually involves a large incision through the abdomen to reach a patient’s internal organs.
The tiny tools used with minimally invasive surgery allow a surgeon to make smaller incisions, which leave smaller scars, reduce the chance of clotting or infection, lessen post-surgery pain, and decrease recovery time compared to traditional surgery.
Minimally invasive surgery can often be performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning the patient returns home within the same day, instead of staying several days at the hospital to recover.
These surgeries are often used to treat gynecologic conditions like cervical cancer, ovarian cysts and tumors, endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cancer, among others. A gynecologic oncologist will discuss available treatment options with the patient and determine the best plan for her individual needs.
Types of minimally invasive surgeries
The University of Colorado Gynecologic Oncology team offers minimally invasive surgical procedures that would otherwise require large incisions and long recovery times.
Common minimally invasive procedures include:
- Laparoscopy, in which a thin, lighted tube with a video camera (called a laparoscope) is inserted through a tiny incision in the belly. The camera projects the internal images on a computer screen. The surgeon then views the area to examine organs and can also perform corrective surgery.
- Hysteroscopy, in which a hysteroscope (a different type of endoscope with a camera) is inserted through the vagina and cervix into the uterus so that the doctor may view or operate on the inside of the uterus.
- Robotic-assisted surgery also involves tiny incisions whereby a surgeon inserts small, computer-controlled robotic surgical tools, including a laparoscope. Robotic-assisted surgery such as the da Vinci system allows a surgeon to perform precise movements in small and difficult-to-access areas.
Advantages of minimally invasive surgery
Minimally invasive surgery typically has many benefits for patients who are good candidates for the surgery, including:
- Smaller incisions resulting in less scarring and pain
- Faster patient recovery time
- Shorter hospital stays (if any)
- Lower risk of infection
- Less blood loss and reduced need for blood transfusion
- Decreased use of pain medications
Risks and side effects of minimally invasive surgery
As with any medical procedure, there are risks associated with surgery including reaction to anesthesia, infection and blood loss.
Not all surgeries can (or should) be done with minimally invasive techniques.
For example, patients who have a high body mass index (BMI), have had previous abdominal surgery, or may have other underlying medical conditions may not be candidates for minimally invasive surgery.
Some minimally invasive surgeries, due to their complexity, may also take longer than traditional open surgery.