Minimally Invasive Surgery and Robotic Surgery

What is minimally invasive surgery?

Minimally invasive surgery is a surgical approach that "minimizes" damage to the human body due to surgical incisions (cuts). While open or traditional surgery may still be the best option for some patients, many doctors are now performing a majority of their operations minimally invasively with these methods:

Laparoscopically with a tiny camera and instruments that travel through a .5- to 1.5-centimeter incision, usually in the abdomen

Endoscopically with a camera that can examine the inside of an organ and instruments that may be introduced through the nose, throat, rectum or another body opening

Minimally invasive surgical techniques often result in:

  • Less pain
  • Faster recovery time
  • Less scarring
  • Less blood loss
  • Less chance of the condition returning
  • Fewer readmissions to the hospital
  • Less chance for damage to healthy organs

When you need complex surgery, it's important to consider who will do the procedure and where it will be done. You also want to know how many procedures the surgeon has performed and the results of those surgeries. Is the surgeon skilled in the latest technologies and minimally invasive techniques? And how far will you have to travel for high-level surgical expertise?

We thought you should know you don't have to go far for surgical excellence and innovation. We have it all right here at Main Line Health. Expert care that's easy to get to.

Here at Main Line Health we have a longstanding commitment to innovation in surgical care and to always being ahead of the curve. This commitment includes early adoption and exploration of minimally invasive surgery techniques, including robotic-assisted surgery, which enables greater precision for our surgeons and in many cases improved outcomes for patients.

Related specialties

Heart and Vascular Care

The cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons at Main Line Health work together to improve the detection and prevention of heart disease with the latest treatment options.

Cardiothoracic Surgery

At the core of our cardiac surgery program are internationally renowned cardiac surgeons and specialists who are leaders in this field. Our expertise spans the full spectrum of cardiac surgery and includes groundbreaking applications of minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques.

Cancer Care

From diagnosis and throughout treatment, Main Line Health cancer specialists (oncologists) provide compassionate care for you and your loved ones through all stages of cancer treatment.

Our team

Members of our minimally invasive and robotic surgical team are world-renowned surgeons and pioneers in their respective fields.

Our hospitals

Recently, Lankenau Medical Center, part of Main Line Health, was among the first three hospitals in the United States to receive the next-generation single-port robot which allows for complex surgery through a single incision instead of multiple cuts in the body. This acquisition is testament to our capabilities as well as our commitment to using the most sophisticated surgical tools to continually improve outcomes and quality of life for patients.

All four Main Line Health hospitals have new robotic surgical systems, which represent the latest generation of robotic surgery available, allowing our surgeons to offer the optimal surgery at the optimal time for the optimal outcome.

Beyond surgery: Caring for patients at every stage

With multiple convenient locations throughout the western suburbs and near the city limits of Philadelphia, Main Line Health is a preferred destination for care by people throughout and far beyond the Philadelphia region.

We are committed to excellence throughout the total patient experience from the first screening and diagnosis to treatment and postsurgical care including rehabilitation, and adjuvant therapy (such as chemotherapy). For patients, that means less travel, less stress and worry, and a more streamlined experience of health care. For referring physicians, it means knowing your patient is in good hands through every aspect of their care.