With technical advances today, surgery does not necessarily mean large incisions, as in the past.The surgical method performed varies depending on the type of procedure, and they may include the following:

Open surgery: An open surgery means cutting skin and tissues, so the surgeon has direct accessto the structures or organs involved. Examples of open surgery include the removal of organs,such as the gallbladder or kidney.

Minimally invasive surgery: Minimally invasive surgery refers to any surgical technique that does not require a large incision. This allows the child to recuperate faster and with less pain.Not all conditions are treatable with minimally invasive surgery. Some minimally invasive surgical techniques include the following:

• Laparoscopy—a procedure that uses a tube with a light and a camera lens at the end (laparoscope) to examine organs, check for abnormalities or perform minimally invasive surgeries. Laparoscopy is a surgery which eliminates making large incisions.Tissue samples may also be taken for examination and testing.
• Endoscopy—a procedure that uses a small, flexible tube with a light and acamera lens at the end (endoscope) to examine the inside of the digestive tract.Tissue samples from inside the digestive tract may also be taken for examination and testing.
• Arthroscopy—a technique most often used to inspect and surgically correct the inside of the knee joint.With the use of an endoscope, surgeon scan look at the interior of a joint.
• Bronchoscopy—the examination of the bronchi (the main airways of the lungs)using a flexible tube (bronchoscope). Bronchoscopy helps to evaluate and diagnose lung problems, assess blockages, obtain samples of tissue and/or fluid and/or help remove a foreign body.
• Cystoscopy—examining the inside of the urethra and bladder cavity with a small, flexible tube with a light and a camera lens at the end (endoscope).
• Gastroscopy—examining the lining of the stomach with a small, flexible tube with a light and a camera lens at the end (endoscope).
• Laryngoscopy—inspecting the larynx (voice box) with a small, flexible tube with alight and a camera lens at the end (endoscope).
• Sigmoidoscopy—examination of the rectum and sigmoidcolon with a small, flexible tube with a light and a camera lens at the end (endoscope).