Minimally Invasive Therapy Center

What is Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS)?

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is surgery performed by making smaller entries into the body (much smaller than used in most traditional surgical procedures). MIS is sometimes known as videoscopic surgery, "keyhole" surgery, laparoscopic surgery (laparoscopy), thoracoscopic surgery, or surgical endoscopy because surgeons are now able to perform procedures through incisions (or openings called ports) as small as 1/16 of an inch.

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An endoscope, laparoscope or thoracoscope -- a lighted tube with a magnifying camera -- is often inserted through an incision, allowing surgeons to get a close-up view of the area. Specially designed surgical instruments, which the surgeons use to perform the procedure, are inserted through other incisions. By using small incisions, instruments and high-tech devices surgeons are able perform procedures offering many advantages to patients as compared to traditional surgery, due largely to the smaller incisions. These advantages include:

Shorter and thus safer procedures
Shorter amount of time in hospital post-surgery
Quicker recovery and return to normal activity
Less scarring, and in some cases virtually no scarring

MIS is an alternative to what is known as "open" surgery, in which a large incision must be made. UM Medical Center surgeons provide patients with this technologically advanced option whenever possible.

This page was last updated on: July 23, 2007.

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