Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 24, 2026
Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device
Published on: November 8, 2024
Minimally invasive surgery in trauma: technology looking for an application
Elias Degiannis1, Douglas M G Bowley, Martin D Smith
1Department of Surgery, University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, Johannesburg, South Africa. degiannis@yebo.co.za
Background:
Minimally invasive surgery has achieved pre-eminence for certain operations in general surgery over the last two decades, as the reduction in surgical insult has produced faster recovery with enhanced patient satisfaction and favourable health economics. Minimally invasive techniques have been less enthusiastically adopted by the trauma surgical community, despite some evidence of efficacy for nearly 40 years.
Methods:
The literature on minimally invasive techniques in trauma was reviewed.
Results And Conclusions:
To date, minimally invasive surgery has played only a small role in trauma surgery. As clearer indications emerge and technology improves, surgeons should be encouraged to incorporate laparoscopy and video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) into their protocols and gain familiarity and expertise with their use.
