Minimally Invasive Surgery

What is minimally invasive surgery?

Minimally invasive surgery refers to procedures that cause as little damage as possible. 

Traditional surgery involves long incisions and, often, severe collateral damage to the nearby organs and tissues. Owing to the high amount of damage it causes, traditional surgery usually carries a high risk of infection, has a long recovery period, and frequently requires extended  hospital stays.

Minimally invasive surgery eliminates the variables that can cause problems during traditional surgeries, thereby improving patient safety and recovery. 

What are the types of minimally invasive surgery? 

Dr. Patching performs two types of minimally invasive surgery, including: 

Laparoscopic surgery

In laparoscopic surgery, Dr. Patching creates quarter-inch incisions in several key points above the surgical area (usually the abdomen). One incision holds a tiny camera and light source, sending live images to a bedside monitor. 

Dr. Patching places slim surgical tools through the other incisions. He performs your procedure while watching the monitor. 

Dr. Patching was one of the first surgeons to learn laparoscopic methods in the 1990s. He completed one of the first laparoscopic surgery fellowships in 1993 and was among the first to open a laparoscopic surgery-focused practice on the West Coast.

In 1995, he was one of the first surgeons in the world to remove a stomach tumor using a laparoscopic surgery technique, which he presented to The International Congress on Advanced Techniques in Surgery that same year.

Robotic surgery

Robotic surgery is an evolution of laparoscopic surgery. Dr. Patching works the same way in robotic surgery as with laparoscopic surgery. But, in this case, he manipulates robotic arms to perform the procedure. 

Robotic technology allows Dr. Patching to work effectively even in very narrow or difficult-to-reach areas because the robotic arms can move at any angle and can rotate 360 degrees. 

Dr. Patching was the first surgeon in California to perform surgery using the da Vinci® xi robotic system in 2014. Since then, he has continually refined his skills. Today, he’s a renowned leader in robotic surgery. 

Both methods remain important options. Dr. Patching can recommend the one that suits your situation best.   

What are the benefits of minimally invasive surgery?

Minimally invasive surgery offers many benefits, including less pain, lower infection risk, faster recovery, and less time in the hospital. It’s the surgery approach of choice for many bariatric and general surgeries. 

Call Steven Patching, MD, or book your appointment through the online feature.