What is Minimally Invasive Surgery? Benefits Over Traditional Methods Explained

30 July,2025

Minimally invasive surgery has changed the way procedures are done. Instead of significant cuts and long recovery times, MIS uses small incisions. The method also involves advanced tools and cameras to perform the same procedures with less damage to the body. The approach is commonly employed in areas such as orthopedics, gynecology, and abdominal surgery.

The procedure is new-age and has a faster healing rate with reduced pain to lower infection risk. There are key advantages that make this method a safer and effective option. We have outlined a blog to help you understand what minimally invasive surgery is, how it compares to traditional open surgery, and why more patients and doctors are choosing it. 

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What is Minimally Invasive surgery? 

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is also known as robot-assisted surgery. It is an operation procedure that is undertaken through small incisions using special instruments, cameras, and imaging aids. This method causes less damage to surrounding tissues compared to open surgery, which requires larger incisions to access the surgical area. The surgery consists of below methods:

• Laparoscopy: This is a surgical procedure that utilizes a small trocar and a camera to perform surgery through a series of small incisions. In single?port laparoscopy, a single incision is used to do the surgery, usually at the belly button, which permits limited scarring. 
• Robotic-assisted surgery: This technique uses robotic arms to translate the surgeon's movements, offering magnified 3D vision and precise control.
• Video?assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) - This is for chest procedures, avoiding sternotomy or rib cutting. 
• Endoscopic spine surgery - These are navigation-enabled procedures that involve real-time mapping of the surgery on the spine.

Here’s an overview of how different minimally invasive techniques are applied across various surgical procedures:

As the table shows, some procedures like appendectomy and hernia repair are almost always done laparoscopically, while robotic surgery dominates in prostate and cardiac surgeries. On the other hand, ENT and spine surgeries benefit greatly from endoscopic approaches, offering higher precision with minimal trauma.

The technique chosen often depends on the surgeon’s experience, the available technology, and the patient's suitability.

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Why It Matters: Traditional Surgery vs. MIS

Traditional Open Surgery

In open surgery, incisions are used that are large to have a direct view of the operative field. Although it is effective, it tends to involve large numbers of tissue dissections, a prolonged hospital stay, postoperative pain, and is highly visible.

MIS: The Modern Alternative

Minimally invasive surgery, in contrast, applies to access the internal target via the small portals or natural orifices. The surgeons operate through cameras and small tools. In robot surgery, the doctors sit in a console and use tools with a high degree of precision. The objectives of these techniques include minimizing collateral tissue damage to achieve specific surgical goals.

Top Benefits of Minimally Invasive Surgery

1. Reduced Blood Loss

Minimally invasive surgery typically results in less bleeding due to smaller incisions and more precise tissue handling, which lowers the risk of complications and reduces the need for blood transfusions.

2. Lower Risk of Infection and Complications

Smaller wounds heal faster and are less prone to infection; minimally invasive techniques have also been linked to fewer postoperative complications overall.

3. Shorter Hospital Stay & Quicker Recovery

Many patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery go home within a day or two, or even the same day. Return to daily activities and work is often quicker, sometimes within days.

4. Minimal Scarring & Improved Cosmetic Outcomes

Incisions are typically small, and the scars often fade to nearly invisible within months, which benefits many patients both physically and psychologically.

5. Less Stress on the Immune System

Reduced surgical trauma means less systemic stress, which can speed recovery and preserve immune function, especially important in frail or elderly patients.

6. Precision with Imaging & Robotics

Advances in image guidance (like real?time navigation in spine surgery) and robotics enhance accuracy and control. Navigation-assisted endoscopic spine surgery, for instance, utilizes infrared trackers and body-mapping technology akin to Google Maps, enabling millimeter precision and reducing radiation exposure. Robotic systems approved in NHS England now enable precision in hernia, hip/knee, tumour, gallbladder, and prostate surgeries.

7. Enabling Surgery in High?Risk Patients

Less invasive options make surgery feasible for older, obese, or comorbid patients who might not tolerate open surgery, e.g., minimally invasive cardiac or spinal procedures.

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Potential Drawbacks & Considerations

Despite its many benefits, minimally invasive surgery isn't suitable for every case. Below are some key limitations and considerations to keep in mind: 

• Specialized Training & Learning Curve: Surgeons must possess sophisticated skills for MIS. Operations such as single-port surgery or robotic surgery are also characterized by their high learning curves, as well as longer initial surgery times.
• Equipment & Cost: MIS usually requires expensive tools, robotic foundation, and imagery systems. In low-resource countries (e.g., many parts of India), it can sometimes be less available and potentially more expensive; however, the overall cost savings in the long term, due to quicker recovery, can offset the initial price.
• Not Always Suitable: Open surgery is generally safer in emergencies and in cases involving complex anatomy or when the surgeon has limited experience with minimally invasive surgery (MIS). The applicability of MIS can be restricted by conditions such as widespread disease, large tumors, previous surgeries, or severe obesity.
• Procedure-Specific Risks: Some robotic or endoscopic surgeries have been associated with rare device malfunctions or the need for conversion to open surgery. FDA data shows a small incidence of injuries or interruptions in robotic surgery (~1–2%).

Summary Table: MIS vs Traditional Open Surgery

Final Thoughts

Minimally Invasive Surgery has unquestionable benefits over conventional open surgery due to its lower incidence of trauma, bleeding, pain, and complications, in addition to faster recovery and maintenance of cosmetic results in most situations. The profession is evolving rapidly with the emergence of new tools, including robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), augmented reality, and single-port methodologies.

Minimally invasive surgery is widely available at several top-tier hospitals across India. Apollo Hospitals, with branches in Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, offers advanced laparoscopic and robotic procedures across specialities. Aster Medcity in Kochi features India’s first MARS (Minimal Access Robotic Surgery) program in Kerala using the Da Vinci Surgical System. Narayana Multispeciality Hospitals in Jaipur and Ahmedabad provide minimally invasive cardiac, spine, and neurosurgical services. In Bangalore, both Gleneagles BGS Hospital and Manipal Hospital are recognised for their comprehensive MIS offerings. These hospitals offer global-standard MIS protocols. 

Small incisions, reduced postoperative pain, faster recovery, and high safety when performed in NABH or JCI-accredited facilities by expert providers. If you're wondering about the availability of minimally invasive surgery in India, these centres are reputable choices, backed by accreditation and advanced surgical infrastructure. 

With the ongoing transformation in technology and the increased availability of said technology, particularly in places such as India, MIS is on the rise to become not only a desirability but also a standard of care in most surgical specialties.

Connect with MediJourney today to get access to the best hospitals offering minimally invasive surgery. We are your trusted healthcare partner to make your treatment and recovery journey worry-free.