minimally invasive surgery

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minimally invasive surgery (minimal-access surgery) (min-i-măli) n. surgical intervention involving the least possible physical trauma to the patient, particularly surgery performed using an operating laparoscope or other endoscope (see laparoscopy) passed through a tiny incision; it is known popularly as keyhole surgery. Several types of abdominal surgery, including gall bladder removal (see cholecystectomy), are now commonly performed in this way.
www.rcseng.ac.uk/patient_information/faqs/different_surgery.html Explanation of minimally invasive surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons