As the quality of health care has evolved over time, so has the very nature of surgery itself. Over the past thirty years, this component of the overall care equation has given rise to the development and regular use of minimally invasive surgery as a means of promoting patient-centered care. Compared to open surgery where large incisions are made, minimally invasive surgery utilizes small incisions through which surgical instruments are inserted and surgery performed.

How patients benefit

The benefits to patients of minimally invasive surgery are both immediate and long term. Immediate benefits resulting from the smaller keyhole incisions is less tissue trauma and procedures performed in a fraction of the time than with open surgery. Additionally, patients often leave the hospital the same day the procedure is performed.
After surgery, the long term benefits of minimally invasive procedures include faster recuperation, return to work and better cosmetic outcomes.

Types of minimally invasive surgery

Minimally invasive surgery falls into three categories: endoscopic, laparoscopic and robotic. Endoscopic surgery is utilized to diagnose upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) issues. Laparoscopic surgery is used to treat issues of the abdomen. Robotic surgery is used to treat many common intra-abdominal issues.

The physicians at Spring Ridge Surgical Specialists provide endoscopic, laparoscopic and robotic minimally invasive surgery, and further specialize in excellent post-surgical cosmetic outcomes.

If you have a question about how you would benefit from minimally invasive surgery, requesting an appointment with one of our physicians is easy by clicking here.

Gone are the days when there was no easy access to medical information to help patients self-educate and become informed on particular health topics. Since its inception nearly twenty years ago, the Internet has served an unprecedented role in providing knowledge and insight on countless topics. WebMD, anyone?

Additionally, here in Berks County there are numerous health fairs conducted throughout the year offering general information in a wide variety of topics to help patients stay informed on health care options.

At Spring Ridge Surgical Specialists, we encourage patients to educate themselves regarding their care options. This ideally begins before the first appointment so patients can refer to their own list of prepared questions when meeting with one of our physicians. One of the great benefits to this approach is the open dialogue occurring right from the beginning, resulting in a very productive consultation. An example of questions that are recommended to ask any health care provider can be found on our website’s Frequently Asked Questions page.

With patient education serving such a critical role in making personal health care decisions, it is no wonder there are so many online sources of medical information available today. It’s a good idea to explore a few different sites to gather views on a given topic then discuss your findings with your physician. By doing so, you’ll play an active role in making informed health care decisions best for you.

If you have a health concern for which you need a surgical consultation, you can request an appointment with Dr. Levan, Dr. Beetel or Dr. Howard by clicking here.