Surgeons at Fletcher Allen Health Care are now using techniques to perform many advanced surgeries that only a few years ago would have required large incisions and long recovery periods.

Fletcher Allen offers minimally invasive surgery in a wide range of areas – from cancer care to transplants, from orthopaedics to pediatrics.

Compared with conventional surgery, benefits of minimally invasive surgery can include:

• Shorter recovery

• Shorter hospital stay

• Less pain

• Less scarring

In traditional, or open surgeries, a surgeon needs to make a large incision in order to operate. With minimally invasive surgery, the surgeons make a few small holes – usually less than a half an inch. Specially designed operating instruments and a long, narrow tube with a camera mounted in it are inserted through these openings. The camera provides an enlarged view of the area under operation on a television screen in the operating room.

The benefits include less pain, quicker return to normal activities and less tissue damage than with traditional surgeries.

Minimally invasive surgery – also known as laparoscopy, endoscopy or keyhole surgery – is not appropriate for all patients. Talk to your doctor to determine if a minimally invasive procedure might be the right approach for you.

Minimally invasive surgical procedures available at Fletcher Allen include:

• Adrenal gland removal

• Appendix removal

• Back sugery

• Brain surgery

• Cancer surgery

• Colon and rectal surgery

• Chest and lung surgery

• Diagnostic laparoscopy (laparoscopy done to detect a condition or disease)

• Esophagus and stomach surgery

• Gallbladder surgery

• Gynecologic surgery

• Hernia Repair

• Hysterectomy

• Joint surgery

• Kidney surgery

• Liver surgery

• Pancreas surgery

• Pediatric surgery

• Spleen removal

• Transplant surgery

• Vascular Surgery

For more information, call Fletcher Allen Health Care: (802) 847-0000 or toll free (800) 388-1144.