Minimal incision surgery. A plastic technique or a cover-up?

Minimal incision surgery is a plastic surgery technique which requires highly developed, specialized skills. If these techniques are used indiscriminately and/or with underdeveloped skills, the results can be extremely unsatisfactory and the technique itself may become the subject of disrepute. After testing a wide range of applications for 15 years, the authors found a limited number of conditions suitable for correction by MIS techniques. In some cases, however, it allows a somewhat wider range of application than any non-MIS technique. For example, in cases of severe scar formation and compromised vascularity, any other form of surgery could be too traumatic, or, in the elderly, too disabling. Therefore, these techniques can often bring relief with safety to a greater segment of the population than otherwise possible. Benefits are numerous, including certain safety factors. There appears to be an increased protection from scarring, nerve entrapment, infection, pain, and extended disability. Certain cosmetic benefits are also acceptable and attractive to the patient.