Antireflux surgery has been performed for more than 50 years as an open
procedure. With open surgery, the surgeon creates a long incision, opening up
the patient. However, techniques in surgery are evolving. One of these
surgical advances is minimally invasive surgery. Now antireflux surgery
usually is performed as a minimally invasive procedure.
With minimally invasive procedures, the surgeon creates small incisions. The
surgeon performs the surgery through small incisions using a fiber-optic
camera and specially designed instruments.
Patients who have minimally invasive procedures often prefer MIP to open
surgery because they experience these benefits:
-
Shorter hospital stay
-
Quicker recovery time
-
Less scarring
-
Less discomfort or pain
Your surgeon will speak with you about open versus minimally invasive
procedures. Some patients may not be candidates for a minimally invasive
procedure because of previous abdominal surgery. Circumstances may necessitate
your surgeon converting from minimally invasive to open surgery.
