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Minimally Invasive Surgery: What You Need to Know
If you're older than 50, you've
likely experienced firsthand,
or will in the future, changes
and advances in medicine, particularly
in terms of surgery. Many
procedures that once required
large incisions now can be completed
with just a few, small incisions.
This approach is called
minimally invasive surgery.
There are a variety of different
terms that describe minimally
invasive surgery, such as laparoscopic,
arthroscopic, robotic,
or keyhole surgery. All are performed
through small cuts that
are usually less than one inch
long, through which fiber-optic
cameras and specially designed
instruments are inserted and used
to remove and repair tissues.
"There are many benefits to
minimally invasive surgery," says
Howard Ross, M.D., a nationally
recognized board certified colon
and rectal surgeon at Riverview
Medical Center. "Since the cuts are
smaller, there is less pain, quicker
recovery, and smaller scars."
Dr. Ross suggests some advice
for patients contemplating an
operation:
- Pick the right doctor. Many
studies reveal that surgeons
with additional specialized
training can perform operations
with lower complication rates. Surgeons who perform
operations very frequently and
have treated a large number
of patients will be most likely
to complete your operation
through the smaller incision.
Don't hesitate to ask your surgeon
these, or any, questions.
- Understand what diseases can
be treated with minimally
invasive techniques. Surgeons
in nearly every field of medicine
are applying today's
technologies to minimize the
trauma of surgery. It is important
to find out how your
surgeon plans to perform your
operation and why.
- Make an informed choice of
where to have your surgery.
Do your research and know
about the hospital facilities and
nursing care where your surgery
may be performed.
hospitals throughout the United
States and seen many minimally
invasive operating rooms, I have
great confidence in the resources
available at Riverview Medical
Center," says Dr. Ross. "From
nationally recognized nurses and
an amazing medical staff to the
most modern laparoscopic operating
rooms in the world, patients
have easy access to outstanding
care at Riverview."
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