Minimally Invasive Surgery

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UT Southwestern Medical Center is home to one of the country’s most comprehensive facilities for minimally invasive surgery. Our talented surgeons are experts in the latest techniques for safe and effective treatment, less pain, and faster recovery.

Expertise in Minimally Invasive Surgery

Surgery that uses smaller, fewer, or no incisions and fewer stitches is becoming standard treatment for many diseases and injuries. Minimally invasive surgery involves an endoscope (thin, flexible tube with a light and camera) that surgeons insert through an incision or an orifice such as the mouth.

In minimally invasive surgical approaches, our surgeons use miniaturized instruments inserted through small incisions or through the scope to perform treatment. For patients, minimally invasive techniques can reduce pain, scarring, blood loss, length of hospital stay, and recovery time compared with traditional surgery.

Our Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery is at the forefront of education, training, and research in the latest minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as single-incision laparoscopic surgery. In June 2006, our program was one of the first to receive accreditation as a Level I American College of Surgeons Accredited Education Institute (ACS-AEI). This recognition means our program meets and exceeds the highest standards for surgical education and safe, effective patient care.

Our Specialties in Minimally Invasive Surgery

Our patients have immediate access to surgeons who treat a wide range of injuries and diseases in several specialties, such as:

Bariatric surgery, such as gastric bypass, for weight loss
Cancer surgery (surgical oncology) for breast cancer, colorectal cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, melanoma, sarcoma, and other types
Endocrine surgery for conditions affecting glands such as the thyroid, pancreas, adrenal gland, and pituitary gland
General gastrointestinal surgery to treat diseases affecting areas of the digestive tract such as the esophagus, stomach, and pancreas
Gynecologic surgery to treat endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts, cancer, and other conditions affecting women’s reproductive organs
Heart valve surgery without opening the chest
Hernia repair surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgery to treat dental and other issues in the mouth, jaw, and face
Organ transplantation
Pediatric surgery for a wide range of conditions or injuries affecting children
Reconstructive urology to treat conditions and injuries affecting men’s or women’s reproductive or urinary tract organs
Spine surgery for neck and spine injuries and diseases
Transoral robotic surgery to treat cancer and other conditions in the mouth and throat

Options for Minimally Invasive Surgery

Our patients receive care from a team of specialists who use a collaborative approach to determine a diagnosis and create a personalized treatment plan. We work closely with patients to discuss their options and decide on the safest, most effective treatments for their specific needs.

Our surgeons use minimally invasive surgery whenever possible, but these procedures might not be right for everyone. At UT Southwestern, we offer several types of minimally invasive surgical techniques:

Endoscopic surgery: Endoscopy uses an endoscope inserted through the mouth, nose, or other natural body opening to access the area for treatment. The surgeon inserts small instruments through the scope to perform surgery.
Laparoscopic surgery: Laparoscopy uses a laparoscope (thin, flexible tube with a lighted camera) inserted through a small incision to perform surgery. The surgeon inserts small instruments through other small incisions to access the treatment area.
Robotic surgery: Using a computerized system, the surgeon controls mechanical arms that hold a camera and surgical instruments to perform laparoscopic surgery. The surgeon uses a console that provides a high-definition, magnified 3D view of the surgical site. The robotic arms have a greater range of motion than human hands and wrists, providing greater flexibility for complex, delicate procedures.