Can minimally invasive surgery help avoid a blood transfusion?

Today, there are increasing numbers of procedures offering new options for those who wish to refrain from blood transfusions.  This article will investigate two procedures:

1. Laparascopic Surgery
2. Robotic Surgery

First, we will take a look at what the benefits are of  minimally invasive surgery.

Benefits of minimally invasive surgery

Minimally invasive surgery offers many benefits in addition to decreasing the need for a blood transfusion:

1. Minimal or no blood loss.

2. Shortens hospital stay dramatically.  Some procedures are even being performed on a "Same Day   Surgery" basis.
3.Less time in the hospital means less hospital acquired infections - a high cause of morbidity.
4. Less time in the hospital also means less possiblity of medication errors.
5.Less surgical trauma to other organs and tissues.
6. Less need for pain medication, which can be a cause of other complications, such as constipation.
7. Smaller scars.

Laparascopic Surgery

Laparascopic surgery is a surgical approach where the surgeon makes several small incisions to the abdomen.  A long, slender camera with a light source in then threaded through the incision.  Surgery is performed through a port inserted into the abdomen.

Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery (daVinci) offers a minimally invasive option for complex surgical procedures.  Some of the major features are thatthere are smaller incisions, more precision, less blood loss, less pain and quicker discharge.

Sources:

Uchai, Miro, MD "Minimally invasive surgeryand the bloodless patient" http://www.bloodlessmedicine.org/