Innovations in Minimally Invasive Surgery in Children

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of recent innovations in pediatric minimally invasive surgery that have enabled pediatric surgeons to operate safely on their smallest patients through tiny incisions. The development of size appropriate laparoscopes and instruments has been key in the development of this specialty. We also discuss NOTES, telemedicine, and robotic surgery in our pediatric population. The numerous MIS techniques, originally used in the adult population, have been successfully applied to our pediatric patients. MIS has become routine for the treatment of many pediatric surgical disease processes, due to the numerous benefits these techniques confer on the patient: decreased wound complications, shorter length of stay, and improved postoperative pain. Inherent in the application of these complex techniques to infants and children are many risks due to the size of these patients. Pediatric surgeons must be aware and understand these risks if they are to successfully and safely practice MIS. MIS will continue to develop as long as industry is committed to developing pediatric equipment to provide better care for our patients. Surgical training must continue to evolve, to ensure that the next generation of surgeons is adequately trained in these complex techniques. The future of pediatric MIS is exciting for our patients and indeed the specialty of pediatric surgery.