Minimally Invasive Surgery

Medically reviewed by Andrew Gonzalez, M.D., J.D., MPH — Written by Tim Jewell — Updated on September 18, 2018
Robotic surgery
Conditions treated with robotic surgery
Benefits and risks of robotic surgery
Non-robotic surgery
Non-robotic surgery
Benefits and risks of non-robotic surgery
Takeaway
What does minimally invasive surgery mean?

Minimally invasive surgery allows your surgeon to use techniques that limit the size and number of cuts, or incisions, that they need to make. It’s typically considered safer than open surgery. You’ll usually recover more quickly, spend less time in the hospital, and feel more comfortable while you heal.

In traditional open surgery, your surgeon makes one large cut to see the part of your body that they’re operating on. In minimally invasive surgery, your surgeon uses small tools, cameras, and lights that fit through several tiny cuts in your skin. This allows your surgeon to perform surgery without opening a lot of skin and muscle.

Some minimally invasive surgeries are done with robotic technology that allows more precise control over the surgery. Other minimally invasive surgeries are done without robotic assistance.