Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) Centre

What is Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS)?

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS), also known as laparoscopic surgery, or “keyhole” surgery, involves performing surgical procedures through small incisions typically ranging from 0.3 to 1.5cm. This technique minimises trauma and pain for the patient compared to traditional open surgeries that require larger incisions.. MIS allows surgeons to operate with greater precision while reducing recovery time, scarring, and risk of infection. 

Due to its advanced technology, MIS has become a preferred method for many surgeries. Today, almost all types of open surgeries can be performed using the minimally invasive technique, offering significant benefits to patients, such as faster recovery, shorter hospital stays, and less postoperative discomfort.

The benefits of Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) include: 

• Shorter hospital stay
• Faster recovery
• Better cosmesis (minimal scarring)
• Lesser pain and discomfort
• Lesser blood loss
• Cost effective

Minimally Invasive Surgery Services at Gleneagles Hospital Penang

Our Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) procedures cover a wide range of specialties, ensuring that patients receive effective treatments with minimal recovery time and reduced risks. Here’s a breakdown of some key types of MIS we offer:

How Minimally Invasive Surgery Works 

During Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS), access to the surgical site (whether in the chest, abdomen, or joint) is achieved through small incisions, known as ports. The cavity is then accessed through small ports and the cavity is inflated with carbon dioxide (safe and harmless for this purpose) to provide a large and unobstructed view of the organ being operated on, as the rest of the other organs are pushed away from the operative site.

Trocars (5-10 mm. tube cylinders) are inserted through the thumb-size ports and, through one of these trocars, a flexible fiber-optic scope with a lens (lighted magnifying video-camera) at the tip is inserted. This will send real time and live images (high definition) to a TV monitor for everyone in the operating room to view as the surgeon manipulates the various instruments to perform the surgery. 

Through the other ports, various surgical instruments are introduced, including:. 

• Needle holders for suturing
• Scissors for cutting tissue
• Grasping and dissecting tools
• Endoknives for precise cutting
• Suction devices for removing fluids

The images on the monitor are magnified to about 5 times the normal size of the structures for easier surgery. These advanced visualization and surgical tools ensure that the surgery is performed with exceptional accuracy, minimising trauma and speeding up the recovery process.

Recovery After Minimally Invasive Surgery

After surgery, patients will be taken to the recovery room to allow the effects of anaesthesia to wear off and subsequently warded for post-operative care. Assessment and treatment of pre-cancers including vulvoscopy, colposcopy and loop excision.

If required, the patient may request pain relief options such as:

• Oral/intravenous medication
• Nurse or patient-controlled analgesia (NCA or PCA). (The amount of pain relief needed can be adjusted by either the nurse or the patient.)

After surgery, the patient may not be able to eat or drink for a few hours and will be put on an intravenous drip.

Although the recovery period may vary, depending on the type of surgery performed, most patients feel well enough to resume their normal activities and return to work a week after the operation. Your doctor will advise when you can take up more vigorous activities and sports.

Follow-ups

Patients will be asked to come back for review upon their discharge from the hospital. Please consult the doctor if any of the following symptoms develop:

• Intense pain (which medication does not seem to relieve)
• Wound sites that are red, inflamed and feel warmer than the surrounding skin
• Oozing from the wound sites

Types of Minimally Invasive Surgery

1. Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA)

Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) is a procedure used to treat coronary artery disease by opening blocked or narrowed arteries in the heart.

2. Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)

Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) is a technique used to treat sinus-related problems by using an endoscope to improve the drainage of sinuses.

3. Endolaryngeal Surgery

Endolaryngeal Surgery is a minimally invasive surgery to treat conditions of the larynx, including cancerous and non-cancerous growths.

4. Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery

Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery is used to treat chest-related conditions, such as lung cancer or other chest wall abnormalities, with small incisions.

5. Minimally Invasive Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Minimally Invasive Carpal Tunnel Surgery is a procedure used to relieve the pressure on the median nerve in the wrist, providing relief from carpal tunnel syndrome.

6. Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

Laparoscopic Hysterectomy is a minimally invasive method to remove the uterus, usually for conditions like fibroids or cancer, through small incisions in the abdomen.

7. Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery is performed on the spine through small incisions to treat conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or scoliosis.

8. Laparoscopic Partial Hepatectomy (Liver Resection)

Laparoscopic Partial Hepatectomy is a procedure in which part of the liver is removed using small incisions. It is typically done for liver tumors or disease.

9. Laparoscopic Appendectomy

Laparoscopic Appendectomy is a procedure used for the removal of the appendix through small incisions using a laparoscope, typically performed for appendicitis.

10. Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

The removal of the gallbladder using small incisions and a laparoscope, commonly performed for gallstones or gallbladder disease.

11. Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery

Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery is a minimally invasive approach to repair hernias by inserting a laparoscope through small incisions.

12. Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery

Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery is a procedure used to treat colorectal diseases, including cancers and inflammatory conditions, by removing parts of the colon using small incisions.

13. Laparoscopic Nephrectomy

Laparoscopic Nephrectomy is used to remove a diseased or cancerous kidney, involving three small incisions in the abdomen. A laparoscope and small instruments are used for visualization and removal of the kidney.

Minimally Invasive Surgical Treatment at Gleneagles Hospital Penang

At our Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) Centre at Gleneagles Hospital Penang, we are dedicated to providing world-class care and utilizing the most advanced surgical techniques available. We combine cutting-edge technology with the expertise of our skilled surgeons to ensure that every patient receives precision care with minimal discomfort and a faster recovery.

Our MIS Centre is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment that allows us to perform a wide range of surgeries with greater accuracy and less disruption to the body compared to traditional open surgery. Our surgeons are highly trained in the latest minimally invasive techniques, which significantly reduce the risk of complications, postoperative pain, and the need for extended recovery time.