Definition: Minimally invasive surgery is any surgical technique that is less traumatic to the body than traditional techniques. Laparoscopic, or keyhole, surgery techniques require much smaller incisions than the traditional "open" procedures with large incisions, making it a minimally invasive techniques.
Minimally invasive techniques continue to improve, using catheters inserted into veins instead of a surgical incision to repair defects or problems, along with common laparoscopic approach.
Healing times and recovery periods are typically much smaller with the minimally invasive procedures, and the risk of infections and some complications are also decreased.
Also Known As: keyhole surgery, laparoscopic surgery, incisionless surgery,
Common Misspellings: laproscopic surgery, laporoscopic surgery,
Examples: The patient had minimally invasive surgery, which used 3 incisions that were half an inch long, rather than the traditional five inch long incision.
