What is minimally invasive surgery?
When we talk about minimally invasive surgery we refer to an approach and techniques that try to produce the least aggression to the patient. Therefore, less postoperative pain and a better aesthetic result than open surgery is achieved.
Within the group of minimally invasive surgeries we can differentiate between endoscopic surgery and laparoscopy.
What does laparoscopic surgery consist of?
Laparoscopic surgery consists of making small incisions (about 3-5 mm) in the skin, through which the instruments are introduced to carry out the intervention. A lens is also introduced to provide us with a view of the inside of the abdomen.
For which cases is it indicated?
Nowadays, the vast majority of open procedures can be performed.
In the case of pediatric urology it is possible to perform, among others, nephrectomies, heminephrectomies, cryptorchidism, correction of pyeloureteral stenosis (pyeloplasty) and vesicoureteral reflux, obstructive megaureter, etc.
More complex interventions can also be performed, such as bladder enlargements or the creation of catheterizable conduits for catheterization.
Are there any risks involved in the procedure?
In spite of being a surgery that aims to cause little harm to the patient, it is a surgical intervention and, as such, it always has some surgical risks associated with it. Complications depend on the type of surgery and tend to be infrequent, but each parent should be aware of them before undergoing the intervention.
What are the advantages over other techniques?
Since very small incisions are made, the child’s postoperative pain is much less and, therefore, recovery is much faster.
Also, by reducing the size of the wounds, the complications derived from them, such as infection, eventration or hernias, are reduced. All this translates into a better aesthetic result, with hardly any scarring.
In some cases laparoscopic surgery can be performed through a single incision. This type of laparoscopic surgery is called Single Port, in which all the material is introduced through a single umbilical wound. The umbilicus is used because it is a natural scar, with a very positive aesthetic result.