Minimally invasive procedures are revolutionizing virtually every area of medicine. Michelle Kosik, MD, a General Surgeon with Adventist Bolingbrook, Adventist Hinsdale and Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospitals, has seen this evolution firsthand. “Over the last 15 years, there has been tremendous advancement in laparoscopic surgery and minimally invasive procedures. Even major operations such as colon resections can be performed laparoscopically. Procedures such as angioplasty and stenting for people with arterial disease are also available,” she says. “Today, minimally invasive techniques are the standard of care for numerous procedures. It’s been an incredible change from open surgery to laparoscopic procedures.”

Moving to minimally invasive
Unlike open surgery, minimally invasive procedures use tiny incisions to maneuver specialized instruments within the body. Images are viewed on monitors and physicians are able to see spaces in the body easier than ever before.

For patients, smaller incisions mean less trauma to the body. Therefore, patients have less post-operative pain and hospital stays are shorter. “Minimally invasive procedures give patients more treatment options, decrease scarring, minimize many post-operative complications and allow for a faster recovery,” Dr. Kosik says. Several areas of medicine now offer patients a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery, including:

• General surgery
• Orthopedics
• Gynecology
• Vascular surgery
• Urology
• Cardiology

Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is one area of minimally invasive technology that is becoming increasingly popular. Here, surgeons perform procedures on the abdomen. Using a laparoscope, surgeons are able to get an inside look into the body to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions, from uterine fibroids to colon cancer. Doctors can explore the abdomen and visualize the abdominal and pelvic organs without making large incisions. “In the past, large incisions were needed to thoroughly explore the abdomen,” Dr. Kosik says. “Now, with laparoscopy, we can provide patients with a better alternative than open surgery.”

Considering a minimally invasive procedure?
At Adventist Midwest Health, doctors take a very individualized approach when deciding if someone is a candidate for a minimally invasive procedure. “We choose the technique that fits the patient best,” Dr. Kosik says. However, if you need surgery, she suggests asking your doctor if a minimally invasive approach is right for you. “Minimally invasive procedures are something that all patients should consider when facing the possibility of surgery,” Dr. Kosik says.

At Adventist Midwest Health, patients can find the latest minimally invasive procedures right in their own communities. "Here, experienced physicians are able to offer state-of-the-art procedures and excellent outcomes,” Dr. Kosik says.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us at 866-533-7968.