Advances in technology have changed routine surgery. Many procedures are now performed endoscopically (or laproscopically). Often, these procedures are referred to as “Band Aid®” surgery, Because the incisions are small enough to be covered by a simple adhesive strip.

Endoscopic surgery involves the surgeon making 2 or 3 small incisions (approximately 1-inch long) at the surgical site. Tiny surgical instruments (call trokars) are inserted into these incisions. On the end of one of the trokars is a small video camera. The camera allows the surgeon to see inside the body on a video screen as he/she guides the instruments and completes the procedure.

Endoscopic surgery is usually less traumatic to the body, as it does not require cutting through large pieces of muscle and tissue. Thus, the patient typically experiences less pain and heals faster than following traditional surgery.

Endoscopic surgery is one of the reasons that 70% of today’s surgical procedures are performed in a same day setting, allowing the patient to return home the day of surgery and to return to normal routines more quickly.

For more information on endoscopic surgeries performed at Vista Health, contact your surgeon or the Vista Surgery Department at 847-360-4028.

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