Minimally Invasive Techniques
Many of the surgeries at Mercy today are done through minimally invasive techniques. With these advanced laparoscopic procedures, the surgeon performs the surgery through several small incisions in the skin - eliminating the need for the traditional, much longer incisions through both skin and muscle. Mercy Southwest Hospital has a specialized operating room that integrates medical video equipment with a ceiling-mounted suspension system to provide efficiency and ergonomics - the essential suite for minimally invasive surgeries.
This type of surgery is done through a small camera and specialized instruments that are inserted through the tiny incisions. All this is viewed directly on a video monitor which receives its picture from a video camera attached to the laparoscope. To give the surgeon space to maneuver within the body, the surgical team may use carbon dioxide gas to expand the body cavity. The gas is released when the surgery is done.
Not only do these types of procedures leave much smaller scars, but they often result in a quicker recovery time and shorter hospital stay. Not all surgeries can be done with minimally invasive techniques. Your physician and surgeon can advise you on the best option for your procedure.
At Mercy Southwest Hospital, a specialized operating suite integrates medical video equipment with a ceiling-mounted suspension system to provide improved efficiencies and ergonomics for these types of procedures. Operating rooms at Mercy Hospital also have been updated to utilize new technology.
For information on other types of surgery, visit Surgical Specialties.
