What is keyhole surgery?

Keyhole surgery, also known as minimally invasive surgery (MIS), is a surgical technique that involves making small incisions in the body instead of a large open incision. Miniature cameras, specialized surgical instruments, and viewing screens are used to guide the surgeon during the procedure.

Some of the benefits of keyhole surgery over traditional open surgery include:

- Less pain: Smaller incisions mean less damage to surrounding tissues, reducing post-operative pain.

- Reduced risk of infection: Smaller surgical wounds are less likely to become infected.

- Faster healing time: Less trauma to tissues leads to a quicker recovery.

- Less scarring: Keyhole surgery leaves only small scars compared to larger incisions.

- Improved visualization: The use of cameras allows the surgeon to have a magnified and clear view of the surgical area, leading to increased precision.

- Shorter hospital stays: Patients can usually go home sooner after keyhole surgery.

- Better cosmetic results: Smaller incisions are often less noticeable than larger scars.

Keyhole surgery can be used for a wide range of procedures, including:

- Urology: Kidney stone removal, prostate surgery, and bladder repair.

- Gynecology: Hysterectomy, tubal ligation, and ovarian cyst removal.

- Orthopedic surgery: Knee replacement, hip replacement, and arthroscopic surgery.

- General surgery: Gallbladder removal, appendix removal, and hernia repair.

- Plastic surgery: Breast augmentation, liposuction, and facial rejuvenation.

- Thoracic surgery: Lung biopsy, lobectomy, and esophageal surgery.

- Endocrine surgery: Thyroid surgery and parathyroid surgery.

The suitability of keyhole surgery depends on the patient's condition and the complexity of the procedure. However, advancements in technology and surgical techniques have made keyhole surgery a viable option for many types of operations, offering several benefits over traditional open surgery.