Minimally invasive surgery is the one in which the size of the incision made for the procedure is kept minimal, thus setting it apart from the conventional open surgery. Most doctors would suggest you to go for minimally invasive procedures. The three main types of minimally invasive surgeries are:

Hysteroscopic procedures: These procedures involve inserting a long, thin telescope-like instrument with a small video camera attached to the end, known as a hysteroscope, which is inserted through the vagina and cervix. This provides the doctor with a view of the uterus on a monitor on a magnified scale. Small surgical instruments may be inserted through the hysteroscope as well for performing the procedure
Laparoscopic procedures: This is video-guided surgery. Laparoscopic surgery requires three to four small incisions rather than a single large incision through the skin and underlying muscles. One incision is for a long, narrow telescope with a camera attached, and the rest two or three others are for the instruments required for performing the procedure. This type of procedure is usually done for laparoscopic infertility treatment.
Robotic procedures: This video-guided surgery is similar to a conventional laparoscopic procedure in terms of the number of small incisions being made. The surgeon makes 3-4 small incisions: one for a magnified, HD 3-D camera for guiding the surgeon during the procedure, and two or three other incisions for the robotic instruments that provide the surgeon maximum surgical precision and range of motion. The difference from a traditional laparoscopic procedure lies in the fact that the camera and the instruments are controlled by the surgeon controls via a console located next to the patient in the operating room

Opting for minimally invasive surgeries rather than traditional surgery offers numerous benefits. Since the minimally invasive procedures involve only small incisions, the surgery causes less trauma to the body as compared to a single large open incision. It also allows for faster recovery. That is the reason why minimally invasive options are the preferred choice of patients and surgeons over open surgery. A patient who chooses to go for minimally invasive surgery is likely to recover faster and will also experience:

Less pain after surgery
Shorter hospital stays
Less scarring
Reduced costs for patients
Faster return to work and normal activities

Exactly how many incisions required for your surgery will be determined on specifics of your procedure. In general, the number of incisions ranges between 3 to 5 in most cases, with each incision being around 5 mm across. The doctors performing your minimally invasive procedures would make sure that the number of incisions is as low as possible for the surgery to be complete and successful.


The whole experience of recovery is unique for each patient and the recovery time varies as well. Having said that, you can generally expect to recover from a minimally invasive surgery in a much smoother manner as compared to open surgery. A lot of patients experience minimal pain. Exercising might not be possible for up to a few weeks after the surgery, but a lot of patients can resume their regular activities within just 2 weeks after surgery. You will be informed about your recovery period by your doctor after your laparoscopic infertility treatment.

While recovery does vary from patient to patient, but most patients can go home after just a few hours of completion of the surgery. Minimally invasive procedures have a shorter recovery time, so you can expect that you will be able to leave the hospital within a few hours to a couple of days after your procedure.

If you want to get the most out of your appointment, you would have to come prepared. Your first appointment is the correct time to ask any questions or doubts you might have about the minimally invasive procedure that you will be undergoing. Here are some things you should take care of before your first appointment about a minimally invasive procedure:

Collect and bring all your records: When you bring all records related to any medical care you received in the past, it helps the healthcare provider better understand your condition. Do not forget to bring any lab results or imaging studies, so the physician can review them.

Address your questions: You may be overwhelmed when you are consulting for the first time. So, you should think about what questions you would like to ask the doctor regarding the surgery, recovery and your condition beforehand.

Bring a close friend or family member if possible: You may find it hard to process all the information in the appointment on your own. It can be helpful to have another person taking notes while you converse with the doctor.

At BirthRight by Rainbow Hospital, we provide patient care through a multidisciplinary approach. Our team of expert surgeons works together to determine the best procedure for each patient, thus providing the best surgical care for the unique health concerns of each patient.