Minimally Invasive Surgery Options

the-future-of-surgery3From the Spring 2012 StayHealthy publication

With advances in minimally invasive technology come a wider variety of surgical options for patients.

While not a commonly used term until the late 1980's, and what started out as an exception rather than the rule, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) today has a number of beneficial applications. As Regina Wilson-Hackman, RN, CNOR, director of perioperative services explained, "At Porter we are on top of the current and best practices that allow physicians to perform procedures on their patients, which help to achieve quality outcomes, whether using a non-invasive, minimally invasive or open surgery procedure."

Trained to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions using minmally invasive and open surgical techniques, the five board certified physicians at Associates in Surgery use advanced surgical techniques and minimally invasive procedures whenever possible. When indicated, MIS can reduce pain and scarring and typically speeds recovery time.

Minimally invasive surgery is performed using a laparoscope or a robot. When performed laparoscopically, the surgeon makes several small incisions at the surgery site, and instruments, including a very small camera, are inserted. The camera allows visualization of the surgical site without having to make a large incision to access the area.


Visit the Porter Health System website
Valparaiso Campus
814 LaPorte Avenue
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Phone: 219-263-4600

At Porter, robotic surgery is done using the da Vinci Surgical System. First used at Porter in 2008, the hospital recently invested $2 million for a second da Vinci robot in preparation for the move into its new regional hospital. With robotic surgery requiring just a few small incisions, miniature robotic surgical instruments and a 3-D camera are placed in the patient's body. The instruments and the camera are manipulated by a specially trained surgeon who sits at a surgical console that translates hand movements into precise micro-movements of the instruments inside the body.

"When we move into the new Porter Regional Hospital, patients will see even more applications for MIS," concluded Wilson-Hackman, "because we continue to research in, train in and invest in advanced surgical equipment and platforms."

MIS Procedures Offered by Associates in Surgery

  • Colon Surgery
  • Diagnostic Laparoscopy
  • Endocrine Surgery
  • Gallbladder Removal (Laparascopic & Robotic)
  • GERD Treatment
  • Hernia Repair
  • Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Placement
  • Rectal Tumors or Polyps
  • Splenic Surgery

For more information or to schedule an appointment with a surgeon at Associates in Surgery, contact the Portage Office at 219.759.4577 or the Valparaiso Office at 219.464.9596.