Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery

UMass Memorial Medical Center is a leader in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and robotic surgery. Also called “laparoscopic” surgery, MIS is an alternative to traditional “open” surgery and allows our skilled surgeons to complete an operation with smaller incisions – which often means less pain and a faster recovery for you. Robotic surgery is a type of MIS in which the surgeon is assisted by a computer-driven system and moves the surgical instruments remotely.

Minimally Invasive Surgery at UMass Memorial

UMass Memorial’s expert surgeons are continually breaking new ground in minimally invasive techniques that use the latest technologies. We offer MIS procedures in most types of surgery, including:

• Bariatric (weight loss)
• Cardiovascular
• Colon and rectal
• General
• Neurosurgery
• Plastic and reconstructive
• Thoracic
• Urogynecologic
• Urologic

Advantages of Minimally Invasive Surgery

Minimally invasive surgery offers many benefits for our patients including:

• Less pain
• Less risk of infection and complications
• Less bleeding
• Shorter hospital stays
• Faster recovery
• Less risk of bowel obstructions after surgery
• Quicker return to normal activities

Types of Minimally Invasive Surgery

As an academic medical center, UMass Memorial Medical Center is on the leading edge of innovations in clinical care. Our surgeons are continually pioneering new minimally invasive surgery techniques and expanding the types of procedures we can offer patients, which include:

• Bariatric (weight loss) surgery
• Cardiovascular surgery
• Colorectal surgery (including single-incision laparoscopic surgery)
• General surgery
  • Cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal)
  • Nephrectomy (kidney removal)
• Neurosurgery
• Reconstructive surgery
• Thoracic surgery
• Urologic surgery
• Urogynecologic surgery

You and your surgeon will work together to decide whether minimally invasive surgery is the best option for your particular case.

What Happens During Minimally Invasive Surgery

Minimally invasive, or laparoscopic surgery, can be performed in both the inpatient and outpatient setting:

• The surgeon makes several small incisions, typically less than a half-inch each.
• A special camera called a laparoscope passes through the incisions, providing clear, detailed images to as many as three high-definition monitors in the operating room. The surgical team uses these monitors to "see into" the operating site without having to open up the abdomen.
• Other specialized instruments pass through additional small incisions to complete the procedure.