Minimally invasive surgery refers to an approach to treatment that requires a smaller incision or no incision relative to what has been traditionally used. For example, removal of a kidney has traditionally been done through a moderately large incision in the side. This incision often requires 5-7 days in the hospital for recovery and 6-12 weeks at home to resume normal activities. Minimally invasive surgery for removal of a kidney requires a series of 3 small (1/4 to 1/2 inch) holes in the abdomen made to allow access of small tubes to see, manipulate and remove the kidney. A much smaller incision lower in the abdomen is then used to take out the kidney (a lower incision tends to be less painful and affects normal activities less.) Overall, this results in less pain and more rapid recovery.

Taken together, minimally invasive surgery is often as effective and requires less recovery time with less pain. Minimally invasive surgery often involves the procedure refered to as laparoscopy. More detailed information is available in other sections of this website.