You've just been diagnosed with a condition requiring surgery. Until very recently your options included traditional surgery with a large open incision or laparoscopy, which uses small incisions but is typically limited to very simple procedures. Minimally invasive surgical procedures avoid open invasive surgery in favor of closed or local surgery with less trauma. These procedures can often be done vaginally or involve use of laparoscopic instruments. Laparoscopy allows observation of the surgical field through an endoscope or similar device, and is carried out through small incisions in the skin to allow access into the pelvis or abdomen. This may result in shorter hospital stays, or allow outpatient treatment. Minimally invasive surgery should have less operative trauma for the patient than an equivalent invasive procedure. Hospitalization time is shorter and the procedure causes less pain and scarring and reduces the incidence of post-surgical complications, such adhesions. Many laparoscopic procedures are considered to be relatively painless and, at worst, associated with mild discomfort. Complications are not common less then 5% of all operations.

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