4 Steps to Take If Skin Cancer Runs in Your Family
Having a relative diagnosed with skin cancer like melanoma can naturally be concerning. Read on to learn more about how that affects your risk and the steps you can take to protect yourself.
What Does It Mean to Have "Minimally Invasive" Surgery?
While hearing you need surgery is never wanted news, it doesn’t have to be something to fear. Minimally invasive procedures are often performed in place of traditional surgery.
At his private practice in Santa Monica, California, Dr. Trevan Fischer, a specialist in complex general surgical oncology and researcher on clinical trials at the Saint John's Cancer Institute, uses state-of-the-art techniques, including minimally invasive surgeries. Whether your issue is cancer or another health problem like a hernia, he can help.
Minimally invasive surgery
Minimally invasive surgery has been used since the 1980s.
Unlike traditional surgery, which involves a large incision to see and access the inside of the body, minimally invasive surgery employs several smaller cuts.
A specialized instrument with a camera is threaded into one of the incisions, providing a three-dimensional view of the surgical site projected onto a monitor in real-time. Tiny tools that react to the doctor's hand movements are inserted into the body through another cut and used to perform the procedure.
Types of surgeries
Minimally invasive surgery can be used for a variety of issues. Examples include hernia repair, gallbladder removal, and appendix removal. It can also be employed to treat a range of cancers and other ailments.
Benefits
There are many benefits to minimally invasive surgery. These include less trauma to the body and reduced blood loss. There is also a decreased risk of surgical complications and infection. A smaller incision also means less scarring.
Recovery is faster in people who have undergone a minimally invasive procedure and involves a shorter hospital stay. That means less downtime and a quicker return to daily life.
In addition, many individuals experience reduced pain and a decreased need for medication. Depending on the procedure, general anesthesia may not even be required.
Good candidates
Everyone can reap the benefits of minimally invasive surgery, but it particularly helps a few groups.
In traditional surgeries, obese patients have an increased risk of infections and other problems due to long incisions on a large amount of subcutaneous tissue. This technique reduces those chances.
People with chronic pain may also significantly benefit from this procedure because it requires less pain medication during the recovery process.
Finally, minimally invasive procedures help people avoid complications, such as blood clots in the legs caused by spending too much time in bed, by allowing for a faster return to activity.
If you have an issue that needs surgery, click to book an appointment or call the office today at 310-807-2688 to find out if minimally invasive surgery is right for you.
You Might Also Enjoy...
What's This Red, Scaly Patch on My Skin?
Multiple conditions, including cancer, can cause red, scaly patches on the skin. Read on to learn more about the possible causes and what you need to know.
Should I Be Worried About a New Mole?
While not all new moles that appear in adulthood are cancerous, it is still important to get them checked by a medical professional. Read on to learn more.
Why Is Merkel Cell Carcinoma So Aggressive?
Merkel cell carcinoma is the second deadliest type of skin cancer because it grows and spreads quickly and often returns after treatment. Read on to learn its symptoms, risk factors, and more.
I'm Relieved to Learn the Lump In My Breast is a Fibroadenoma, But What Next?
Not all breast lumps are cancer. In fact, most are benign and include diagnoses such as fibroadenomas. Read on to learn what these masses are and how they are treated.
What's Involved in Melanoma Removal?
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. However, it can be removed by wide local excision. This minor surgery can often provide a cure when the cancer is found early. Read on to learn more.