Methods of Surgery
What are the different methods of surgery?
Surgery doesn't always mean large cuts (incisions) and long healing times, as in the
past. Depending on the type of surgery, several methods may be used. People with the
same diagnosis won't always be advised to have the same surgical method. Your surgeon
will talk with you about the best approach for you and the reasons why.
Open surgery
An open surgery means cutting the skin and tissues so that the surgeon has a full
view of the structures or organs involved.
Minimally invasive surgery
Minimally invasive surgery is any surgery that doesn't need a large incision. This
approach offers faster recovery and less pain than open surgery. Not all conditions
are right for this approach. It can be used to evaluate illnesses and injuries. It
can also be used to take tissue samples and make repairs. This type of surgery includes
procedures, such as:
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Laparoscopy. This procedure uses a tube with a light and a camera lens at the end (laparoscope)
to look at organs in the belly (abdomen). It's often used to look inside the belly
without making large incisions. Tissue samples may also be taken for examination and
testing.
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Robotic surgery. This procedure is similar to laparoscopy except the surgeon does not manually move
the surgical tools. The surgeon uses a computer to move the surgical tools. And they
see the inside of the body with a 3-D monitor. This allows for greater precision,
smaller cuts, and less healing time.
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Endoscopy. This test uses a small, flexible tube with a light and a camera lens at the end (endoscope).
It's used to look at the inside of the hollow organs of the digestive tract. Tissue
samples may also be taken for testing. Endoscopy may be used on the stomach (gastroscopy),
the esophagus (esophagoscopy), and the colon (sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy).
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Arthroscopy. This is used to look inside a joint with the use of a scope (arthroscope). It's most
often used to inspect and possibly repair the inside of the knee, shoulder, or hip
joint.
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Bronchoscopy. This is the exam of the main airways of the lungs (bronchi) using a rigid or flexible
tube (bronchoscope). Bronchoscopy helps assess and diagnose lung problems. It also
helps assess blockages, take samples of tissue or fluid, or help remove a foreign
body.
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Thoracoscopy. This is minimally invasive surgery in the chest cavity.
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Cystoscopy. This procedure puts a viewing tube to look at the urethra and bladder cavity.
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Hysteroscopy. This is used to look at the cervical canal and uterine cavity with an endoscope.
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Laryngoscopy. This is used to look at the voice box (larynx) with a mirror or viewing tube.