Minimally Invasive/Non-Invasive Surgery

A minimally invasive surgery was first introduced in the 1980s as a safe and effective procedure meeting patients' surgical needs. Since then, for the last 20 years, surgeons have preferred this type over traditional (open) surgeries, as the later require larger incisions and are, usually, followed by extended hospital stays. Since then, the use of minimally invasive surgery has increased extensively in many surgical A minimally invasive surgery was first introduced in the 1980s as a safe and effective procedure meeting patients' surgical needs. Since then, for the last 20 years, surgeons have preferred this type over traditional (open) surgeries, as the later require larger incisions and are, usually, followed by extended hospital stays. Since then, the use of minimally invasive surgery has increased extensively in many surgical specialties, including colon and lung surgeries. In general, minimally invasive surgeries are connected with less blood loss, surgical complications, and pain, and shorter hospital stays. Different types of minimally invasive surgeries include laparoscopic surgeries, robotic surgeries, and non-robotic surgeries, also known as endoscopic surgeries. However, not all minimally invasive procedures are completed with robot assistance, and a few surgeries are more suitable via endoscopy or open (traditional) operations. In endoscopy, surgeons do not make any cut, and the endoscope is inserted through the body's natural openings. While in laparoscopy, small incisions are made by surgeons to control the endoscope and special surgery tools inserted in the body. The ongoing research efforts for minimizing the cost and time required for minimally invasive surgeries are making these procedures more realistic options, averting the potential crisis faced by healthcare administrations. These efforts are also expected to result in quicker, more efficient, and relatively painless procedures, with reduces complications and follow-up procedures. Currently, fluoroscopy is the gold standard of imaging techniques used during minimally invasive surgeries. Other options include cameras installed on tube devices along with surgical tools. However, these imaging solutions experience poor quality, which results in the lengthening of surgical procedures, probably leading to mistakes. This is encouraging medical device providers to bring development in surgical imaging to remove reliance on dyes and radiation, without hampering image quality. For instance, Centerline Biomedical has manufactured the proprietary Intra-Operative Positioning System (IOPS), which gives 3D color visualization and real-time tracking of devices in minimally invasive vascular surgeries. The newly launched systems use graphics and augmented reality (AR) to present a clear image for more intuitive operations.

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