Minimally invasive surgery indicates that a procedure can be done with a laparoscopic approach requiring only small incisions. This approach to surgery has been in use since the 1980s. Prior to its availability, the only option for many common surgeries involved larger incisions which led to more post-operative pain, longer hospital stays, and more lengthy recovery. The benefit to minimally invasive surgery is less post-operative pain, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery so that patients can get back to their normal routines. More recently, robotic surgery has come to the forefront of minimally invasive surgery. With robotic surgery, the optics and instruments used for certain surgeries is even more advanced. Dr. Uecker is the chair of minimally invasive surgery for the Dell Seton Medical School and will be happy to answer any questions on the topic during your visit with him.