The applications and benefits of keyhole surgery

Escrito por: Top Doctors^®

Publicado: 07/02/2025

Editado por: Jessica Wise

Keyhole surgery is a minimally invasive technique that is becoming the preferred method of surgical procedure due to its diverse utilisation and its many benefits, as described in this article by a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist.

What is keyhole surgery?

The term “keyhole” is a reference to the small incisions that the technique is known for. In traditional open surgery, doctors typically make one incision that is large and long in order to access the internal tissues and structures that they are treating. However, in keyhole surgery, smaller, deliberately placed incisions ranging from 2–10cm are enough for the surgeons to insert their tools and perform the treatment.

Keyhole surgery is also known as laparoscopy when used in abdominal and pelvic procedures. This is because one of the main tools that enables surgeons to view the inner goings of the body – without needing to open it up further as in open surgery – is the laparoscope, a long, thin, hollow tube that is either flexible or rigid with a camera and a light at the end. The other end of the laparoscope is connected to a screen onto which the camera’s perspective will be projected in high definition and real-time so that the surgeons can be guided during the procedure, assess damage or issues, and perform treatment. This scope enhances the visualisation for surgeons, even in arguably less working room.

Keyhole surgeries are alternatively called arthroscopy when performed in the joints, or thoracoscopy when performed in the chest.

What are the applications of keyhole surgery?

With the keyhole technique, surgeons can achieve many of the procedures that are also done openly, including but certainly not limited to investigating issues, assessing injuries, removing blockages, excise growths, taking tissue samples, sealing ruptures, replacing joints, repairing tears, and removing dysfunctional organs.

Specific surgeries that can be performed keyhole such as:

Cholecystectomy
Hysterectomy (the removal of the uterus)
Hernia repair
Colectomy
Bariatric procedures
Ovarian cyst removal (while still retaining the ovaries)
Endometriosis excision

What are the benefits of keyhole surgery?

Less invasive

The main benefit of keyhole surgery is its minimal invasiveness as compared to open techniques. As it requires smaller incisions, that means that there is less pain, less conspicuous scarring, and a quicker recovery period due to smaller wounds that the body has to work to heal. This also means less postoperative swelling.

Faster recovery

Not only is the overall recovery period shorter, but patients who undergo a keyhole procedure will typically leave the hospital sooner, with many patients being able to go home the day of the procedure, regardless of what it was. Patients can return to their daily activities much faster.