Minimally-Invasive Surgery

What is Minimally-Invasive Surgery?

Minimally invasive surgery, also known as laparoscopic or keyhole surgery, is performed through a few, very small incisions in the abdomen, with the aid of a tiny video camera. The opening used in traditional surgery is between 6 and 24-inch-long, while those in minimally invasive surgery are only 1-2 inches in length.  A long slender tube equipped with a camera at the end is placed through one incision. It’s used to transmit an enhanced image of the surgical field from inside the patient’s body to a computer monitor. The doctor observes this image, while manipulating thin instruments through the other incisions to perform the procedure.

 What are the Advantages of Minimally Invasive Surgery?

Due to the small incisions, minimally invasive surgery offers a much quicker recovery time for all procedures. There’s also less pain, and therefore, less pain medication. The small incisions also mean reduced blood loss, diminished internal scarring, and a decreased risk of infection.

 What is a Same-Day Hysterectomy?

 Of the more than 600,000 hysterectomies performed each year, 60% are still performed with major open abdominal incisions, even though they don’t need to be. Laparoscopic and robotic technology enable most hysterectomies to be performed with just a few small incisions. Minimally invasive surgery performed robotically takes longer and is more complex for the surgeon, but offers enormous benefits to the patient. Dr. Thomas is one of only a handful of surgeons in the Conejo Valley and neighboring San Fernando Valley in Southern CA, who is certified to perform gynecological procedures with the most advanced robotic surgery system, called the daVinci Surgery System. To insure the best results, patients should always seek out a surgeon with extensive experience in the procedure their having. When performing hysterectomies, Dr. Thomas almost always does so utilizing robotic or traditional laparoscopy to minimize recovery time, risks and pain for her patients. Most are able to go home in two hours and resume normal activity in two days.

What is Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery?

Minimally invasive robotic surgery is laparoscopy performed with the help of robotic technology. In minimally invasive robotic surgery, the instruments placed through the incisions are attached to robotic arms. These tools are manipulated remotely with remarkable precision by the physician via computer controls. Dr. Thomas has performed hundreds of robotic assisted procedures since the technology received FDA approval for gynecological procedures in 2005. Robotic technology enables many surgeries to be performed in a minimally invasion manner; that would otherwise require open surgery. This is because the robotic arms and the sophisticated instruments can maneuver with greater flexibility than the human hand.

What Other Minimally Invasive Procedures does Dr. Thomas Perform?

Dr. Thomas uses minimally invasive techniques for a number of diagnostic and surgical procedures. These include pelvic reconstruction, treatments for pelvic organ prolapse, such as Sacrocolpopexy, the removal of ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids, and treatment of endometriosis.