What are the top 10 surgical procedures that have seen significant advancements this year?
2 min readWhile there have been numerous advancements in various surgical procedures, it is challenging to identify the top 10 with absolute certainty. However, here are ten surgical procedures that have seen significant advancements in recent years:
1. Minimally invasive robotic surgeries: Robotic-assisted surgeries have advanced in many fields, including urology, gynecology, and general surgery, allowing for more precise and less invasive procedures.
2. Laser cataract surgery: The use of lasers to remove cataracts has improved surgical accuracy, resulting in fewer complications and faster recovery times.
3. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR): TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure used to replace the aortic valve, offering an alternative to open-heart surgery for high-risk patients.
4. 3D-printed prosthetics and implants: 3D printing technology has revolutionized the creation of personalized prosthetics, implants, and surgical models, improving patient outcomes.
5. Deep brain stimulation (DBS): DBS has seen advancements in treating conditions like Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia by using implanted devices to deliver targeted electrical stimulation to specific regions of the brain.
6. Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS): This non-invasive procedure uses high-intensity focused ultrasound waves to precisely target and ablate diseased tissues, providing an alternative treatment for conditions like uterine fibroids and certain cancers.
7. Transoral robotic surgery (TORS): TORS utilizes robotic technology to access and remove tumors of the head and neck through the mouth, offering improved outcomes and reduced scarring.
8. Single port/incision laparoscopic surgery: Surgeons can now perform procedures through a single small incision, resulting in less scarring and faster recovery times.
9. Transplant surgery advancements: Organ transplantation techniques, including living-donor liver and kidney transplants, paired kidney exchange programs, and face transplantation, have seen significant advancements in recent years.
10. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols: While not a specific surgical procedure, ERAS protocols aim to improve patient outcomes by optimizing pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative care, reducing complications, and expediting recovery.
It’s important to note that advancements in surgical procedures can vary across specialties and regions. Additionally, advancements can occur gradually over several years rather than being limited to a specific calendar year.