Minimally Invasive Surgery vs Open Surgery

 

Doctors are always finding new ways and methods to improve patient outcomes, and answering questions of how they can advance surgery to improve your experience as a patient. More specifically, how can your recovery time be faster? Lastly, can there be less scarring and less pain after your operation? When compared to minimally invasive surgical procedures, open surgery comes with much more risks and potential complications.

For many years, all surgeries performed by an orthopedic surgeon were performed by using what was called traditional, or open, surgery procedures. Open surgery is invasive, and involves creating a large incision in the skin through which tissues and organs are cut around, resulting in a standard loss of blood, tissue trauma, and long recovery time. Due to the large incision, the patient will have a visible scar, their stay in the hospital will also be longer, and the risk of readmission is typically higher.

Today, With the introduction of minimally invasive surgery (MIS), physicians are able to perform many different surgical procedures with smaller incisions, meaning less scarring, less trauma and pain, faster recovery times, and shorter hospital stays. These are among the number of benefits and advantages offered to patients undergoing minimally invasive procedures rather than needing to undergo open surgery. As mentioned before, MIS is performed through small incisions, which replace the large incisions made during traditional open surgeries.

For minimally invasive surgery, the surgeon uses ultrasound technology or endoscopic procedures, with a small video camera and a monitor to easily and directly view and access images of the internal organs. With MIS, there is also a lower chance of wound complications, and minimal blood loss. In addition, some patients who undergo this procedure are able to return to work and normal physical activities in a short amount of time.

Dr. William F. Hefley specializes in minimally invasive surgeries for the knee, hip, and shoulder, utilizing arthroscopic and joint replacement procedures. To learn more about minimally invasive surgery vs open surgery, call Dr. Bill Hefley at (800) 336-2412 to request an appointment, or request one online.