Are surgeries done through small incisions better?

Question: Are surgeries done through small incisions better?

Over the past decade, one of the most significant advances in orthopedic surgery is the advent of techniques used to minimize the size of incisions and the amount of tissue dissection. Two of the most common types of surgeries that minimize incision size are arthroscopic procedures and minimally invasive joint replacement surgery.

Answer: The goal of any surgical procedure is to correct a problem. Hip replacements are done to alleviate arthritis pain. Rotator cuff repairs are done to reduce shoulder pain and improve motion. These surgeries, first and foremost, are not cosmetic.

Surgery can be done in more appealing ways, and with the advent of arthroscopic surgery and other less-invasive surgical techniques, surgical scars are getting smaller. But it is more important to do the surgery correctly rather than keep the incision small. After all, small incisions are worthless if the problem is not properly treated.

Should I undergo Less-Invasive Surgery?

These types of less-invasive surgery are not necessarily bad. Many arthroscopic procedures have become the standard for proper care. For example, arthroscopic treatment of meniscus tears in the knee is now the standard treatment; traditional 'open meniscectomies,' where the meniscus is removed through an incision is a procedure no longer performed.

However, some surgeons do not feel minimally invasive procedures best treat some specific problems. Because of this, a surgeon may recommend against a procedure such as a mini-hip replacement or arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. This does not mean the surgeon is naive or behind the times, it may just mean your surgeon doesn't believe your condition can adequately be addressed with one of these less-invasive procedures.

Now I'm unsure! Should I have minimally invasive surgery?

As stated, minimally invasive surgery can be good for patients because it minimizes pain, shortens rehab time, and preserves normal tissue. If you were told you should have a certain type of procedure, but you are unsure, get a second opinion.

While not all opinions will necessarily agree, it will help you understand the different perspectives, and appreciate that there is not always just one answer to a problem.

_Sources:

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; 71st Annual Meeting , March 10-14 2004, San Francisco. News release, America Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Porucznik, MA "Award-winning study debunks advantages of two-incision THA" AAOS Now; American Academy of Orthpaedic Surgeons Vol 1, No 1, Jan/Feb 2007, page 45.