Introduction
Minimally invasive surgery, as the name indicates, involves minimal incision. There are several advantages of this surgery. These are fewer complications, early recovery, and less overall cost. Minimally invasive surgery is an important part of the treatment strategy for cancer. It helps preserve the surrounding tissues and improves the overall outcome of the surgery.
Types of Minimally Invasive Surgery for Cancer
There are several types of minimally invasive cancer surgery. These are:
- Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery: During laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon makes multiple small incisions at the surgery site. One incision is made to insert the laparoscope that identifies the organ or tissues for surgery. Once the tissue or organ is identified, the surgeon inserts instruments from other incisions to perform the surgery.
- Robotic Surgery: The procedure for robotic surgery is almost similar to laparoscopic surgery. Robotic surgery is an advanced, minimally invasive surgery. In this procedure, the surgeon performs the surgery with the help of the robotic arms. The surgeon, through the console, controls the robotic arms.
- Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS): A minimally invasive procedure is used to diagnose the disease in the chest or thoracic region. The doctors insert a thoracoscope (a tube with a tiny camera at the end) in the chest by making an incision. The thoracoscope transmits the images from the chest that diagnose the disease or guide the surgeon during surgery. It is used to diagnose mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other chest cancers.
- Hysteroscopic Surgery: This procedure assists the doctors in diagnosing the disease and performing surgery. The doctor uses a hysteroscope that is inserted into the uterus through the cervix. The camera helps the surgeon evaluate the uterus lining and detect any abnormal tissues. The procedure is used for endometrial lining biopsy. Fibroid removal, endometrial ablation, and removal of cervical and endometrial polyps.
- Vaginal Surgery: Vaginal access minimally invasive surgery (VAMIS) has fewer risk of complications compared to conventional/abdominal, vaginal surgery as it requires no abdominal incision. It removes the pelvic mass, debulks the uterine fibroid, and endometrial treatment.
Advantages Of Minimally Invasive Surgery for Cancer
The minimally invasive surgery for cancer has several advantages. The patients must undergo minimally invasive cancer treatment in Nashik from an advanced cancer center. The advantages include:
- Availability of Several Procedures: With the advancement in technology in the medical arena, especially in the oncology diagnosis and treatment, several options for minimally invasive surgeries are available. The surgeon may use one or more of these procedures according to the type, stage, and site of cancer. The minimally invasive surgery assists in managing the cancers of the lung, liver, digestive system, and urological system. Minimally invasive surgery plays an important role in managing gynecological cancers. Some of the minimally invasive surgeries are ovarian cancer treatment, oophorectomy, hysterectomy, and endometrial cancer treatment.
- Minimal Scarring: One of the most common disadvantages of traditional surgery is the formation of visible scars. Minimally invasive surgery allows surgeons to minimize the formation of scars. It is because minimally invasive surgery requires less incision. When the surgery is done, fewer stitches are required to close the incision. These smaller stitches leave less visible scar marks compared to long stitches from conventional surgery.
- Smaller Incision: Conventional surgery generally requires a six- to twelve-inch-long incision to access the surgery site. However, laparoscopic and robotic surgery uses advanced and specialized instruments that require around an inch-long incision to expose the organ for surgery. Although multiple incisions are required in laparoscopic surgery, it is more advantageous than a long incision in conventional surgery. Small incisions contribute to several advantages of minimally invasive surgery.
- Less Pain: As minimally invasive surgery involves a smaller incision, there is lesser tissue damage. Thus, the patient experiences lesser pain compared to conventional surgery. It is important to note that conventional surgeries involve trauma to muscles and deeper tissues, causing more pain. Further, the patients require less frequent pain medications for a shorter period, reducing drug-induced side effects.
- Reduced Complications: The complications during and after minimally invasive surgeries are significantly lesser than in conventional surgery. The complications include blood loss, infection, and delayed healing. The patients with minimally invasive surgery heal faster and have shorter stays at the hospital. It will reduce discomfort and lower the overall cost of the treatment.
Versius Robotic Surgery System
Versius surgical robot is an advanced robotic surgical system that allows the surgeries to perform minimally invasive surgery with high safety and improved outcome. It is an innovative, cost-effective system that allows quality cancer treatment to patients. The system is equipped with 3D HD vision that provides the surgeon maximum accuracy, especially in cases of complex surgeries or when the organ or the tissue is hard to reach. The system also provides an advanced level of control to perform the surgery effectively. Further, from the surgeon’s point of view, the design of the system is ergonomically beneficial and allows the surgeons to perform the surgery without fatigue and stress.
