A minimally invasive procedure can basically be defined as a surgical or any other type of medical procedure that does not involve invasive methods as would be applied in open surgery for similar operation. The procedure employs laparoscopic devices that are remotely controlled to provide an indirect observation of the area being examined or operated on. In most cases, minimally invasive procedures rely on a miniature camera called an endoscope attached to a thin tube which is inserted through the skin or through a body cavity to access the internal environment of the affected region.

Surgeons using a minimally invasive procedure make small incisions in the skin through which a long thin tube is inserted. The thin tubes can also be inserted through other body openings. Images captured by the miniature camera are projected to an observation monitor in the operating room to give surgeons a clear magnified view of the area being operated. The surgeons are able to observe, remove, or repair the affected part using dials and buttons attached to the tube. The procedure has been found to be quite useful in dealing with cysts, joint injuries and in treating lesions or other conditions on cosmetically important areas such as the face without leaving scars.

Minimally invasive procedures have become quite popular method of treatment for several reasons. The method is preferred by both doctors and patients because it does not involve long and expensive hospital stays unlike if the same case was treated through open surgery. There is also minimum damage to tissues surrounding the area being operated on unlike in open surgery. This is because the incisions made during the procedure are only a few millimeters wide and are only directed to the affected part. In most cases, minimally invasive procedures are out-patient operations meaning that a patient can undergo the operation and be discharged on the same day. It would however, be important to consult your doctor and if possible undergo tests before deciding on having a minimally invasive procedure.