How to Become a Minimally Invasive Surgeon

How to become a minimally invasive surgeon

Minimally-invasive surgery is a rapidly expanding field that is over-taking traditional open surgical approaches in many areas. Its combined advantages of reduced patient morbidity and improved visualization of anatomical structures make it an attractive option for patients, their owners and surgeons alike. In addition, minimally-invasive surgery may be used in concert with conventional approaches to improve access to and visualization of traditionally difficult sites. For those of us who are newcomers to minimally-invasive surgery, and planning to set up the equipment in our practice, there are a few basic principles that we first need to understand.

Access to body cavities
Access to the abdomen is achieved by placement of small access ports (trochars and cannulas) that allow introduction of cameras and instruments, and removal of tissues. For small animals, the port sizes usually range from 3 mm to 10 mm in diameter, although 5 mm is most commonly used. Ports may either be smooth or threaded. Threaded ports are less likely to dislodge when instruments are repeatedly introduced and withdrawn, but make it more difficult to enlarge the incision when removing a mass, for instance. […]