Minimally invasive surgery allows the surgeon to operate through very small incisions, using surgical optics (laparoscope) that is connected to a camera that sends the surgical images to a television monitor. Specially designed laparoscopic instruments are used to accomplish the operation. When the procedure location is in the abdomen it is called laparoscopic surgery, while when it is in the thorax is called thoracoscopic surgery. In traditional surgery, the surgeon "opens" the body for having direct visual and palpable access to the organ that needs an operation.
Depending on the procedure, this open access may result in large skin incisions and visible postoperative scars. Besides the laparoscopic approach minimize postoperative pain and accelerate the recovery period.
Laparoscopy was first used in children for diagnostic purposes and soon found its place in the treatment of surgical diseases as a "minimally invasive" method. In pediatric surgery, the instruments utilized usually have a diameter of 3 or 5 mm. The enhanced visual field for the pediatric surgeon is achieved by the magnification of 10x from the 5mm or 10mm laparoscope tool.
Laparoscopy is used for many different types of operations on the abdomen and pelvis. Depending on the type and reasons for the surgery, the laparoscopy may take several hours.
In recent years, the experience with thoracoscopy is expanding and being recognized as a safe method for eligible thoracic lesions in children.
In recent years, the experience with thoracoscopy is expanding and being recognized as a safe method for eligible thoracic lesions in children.
The most performed operations using minimally invasive surgery in children are:
