similar device, and are carried out through the skin or through a body cavity or anatomical opening. This may result in shorter hospital stays, or allow outpatient treatment. Minimally invasive techniques allow for less tissue damage, blood loss in surgery, quicker recovery with shorter hospital stays, and less pain after surgery. These techniques also allow a greater number of people who would otherwise not be a good candidate for surgery due to co-morbidities, to have successful operations. We have broadly divided minimal access surgeries into two categories viz. laparoscopic surgeries and endoscopic surgeries.

Advantages of Minimal Access Surgeries

• Laparoscopy often offers better visualization than open surgery, particularly better visualization of the hiatus and deep structures in the pelvis.
• Minimal access surgery (MAS) offers dramatic advantages in terms of the quality of life after the operation.
• Postoperative pain is reduced, which decreases postoperative narcotic use and its complications. This also aids in lower pulmonary complications.
• Smaller wounds are associated with fewer wound complications, less scarring, and better cosmoses.
• MAS results in reduction of postoperative adhesions.
• Patients stay in the hospital for a shorter period and recover faster.
• Patients are able to return to their normal activities faster (example, feeding, school, work).
• A child's quick recovery allows parents to return to work faster.
• Video imaging allows surgical assistants, anaesthesiologists, and nurses to view what the surgeon is doing and to actively participate in the procedure in their respective roles.
• Laparoscopy can be performed in infants weighing less than 1.5 kg without significant mortality or morbidity.