Keyhole surgery has arrived in Shivamogga. Take advantage of it.

September 3, 2025

Dr.Nishitha S H
MBBS, MD (Radiology) , Dr NB endovascular and interventional radiology Speciality- endovascular and interventional radiology ( Neurovascualr intervention and whole body interventions )

Interventional Radiology or Keyhole Surgery. What is it all about? Let us dive in as we explore how various technologies are transforming how we diagnose and treat different disorders.

Radiology is the field of imaging. Using X-rays, CTs, Ultrasound, PET scans and MRI scans to get accurate pictures of what is going on inside our body. This enables us to diagnose the problem and start the right treatment.

Interventional Radiology is the speciality of using these technologies in a procedure room or an operating room to guide the surgery in real time. Since a scanning machine provides an image continuously, the surgeon doesn’t have to make a large cut in the skin and muscle. Small instruments that are guided by wires are inserted into the body through a small incision – called a keyhole incision. That is why it is called Keyhole Surgery.

What is Keyhole Surgery Used For?

Various conditions can now be treated through keyhole surgery. There are four different types. Let us explore each below.

Finding out what is wrong: If blood tests and scans don’t show what is wrong in certain conditions, laparoscopy is used. Examples include: unexplained abdominal distress (stomach pain), inflammation (swelling), and certain biopsies (taking a sample for testing).

Treating soft tissue: This is where small wires are used to perform appendectomy (removing appendix) treat hernia, endometriosis and other issues. This is usually done in the chest, stomach and pelvic area where small instruments can be inserted through the soft tissue easily.

Bone and ligament surgery: Keyhole surgery is also used to treat slipped disks, ligament tears, knee, elbow and other joint problems. Making a small incision and inserting advanced tools helps reduce blood loss and minimise pain.

Cancer testing and treatment: Laparoscopy can help oncologists find cancer in small areas, remove it completely or even take a little for testing. Using small instruments also reduces stress, helping you recover faster and fight cancer better.

Why Finding the Best Interventional Radiologist Matters

There were two major skills for doctors a few decades ago. One for treating with drugs (medicine) and the second was treating with an operation (surgery). Today, there are many. Different experts specialise in different kinds of treatments. Interventional Radiologists specialise in a particular type of surgery that is focussed on two important aspects: Using small advanced tools to perform precise procedures and using imaging for guidance.

These two aspects require many special skills. But the most important skill is working in a team. Because of the advanced technology and the small incisions, one person cannot do the surgery alone. It requires a team. So finding the best Interventional Radiologists becomes easy – it is the surgeon who clearly explains what needs to be done. They do not say “I will…”. They will say “We will…”

What is in an Advanced IR Department?

The best advanced Interventional Radiology departments have five things you can look for that can quickly tell you that they are good, including:

1. Surgeons who work as a team. It is not just one person. It is a team.
2. Advanced imaging. They have different types of scans to help them during surgery.
3. Patience in explaining. Experts always take time to explain and make you feel comfortable before any treatment
4. Recovery plan. What to do AFTER surgery is as important as surgery itself. The best people have a plan, and they will explain it to you.
5. Asking questions. The best teams encourage you to ask questions and learn more. They understand your emotions and fears and will help you deal with them at every step.

Difference Between Surgery for Diagnosis and Surgery for Treatment

It is important to understand that sometimes doctors can’t find out what is wrong using blood tests and scans. So they might have to do a keyhole surgery to find out what the problem is. For example, a scan might show that there is swelling. But the swelling will be hiding the cause itself. So doing a surgery can help find the cause and treat it.

Another example is cancer. Some cancers have different types. Each type has a different treatment. So even though doctors know there is cancer, it is important to do a surgery to remove a piece of the cancer and test it, to find out the exact type of cancer and give the right treatment.

When it comes to keyhole surgery for treatment, there are two main types. The first kind is where a tissue has to be removed or moved. For example, appendectomy, where the appendix is removed and the intestine is repaired.

The second type is where something needs to be inserted. For example, in knee surgery, if a part of the knee is torn or broken, they can insert a small pin or clip or suture to repair the broken tissue. The smaller the cut, the faster the recovery.

Accuracy First: Precision You Can Trust

Even 10 years ago, treating anything through surgery meant making a large incision (cut) through the skin and muscle and looking inside for the problem. Today, using advanced imaging like digital X-rays, real-time ultrasound, or CT scans, interventional radiologists can make a small cut to insert tiny instruments and guide them to the problem area.

For a patient, this brings many benefits:

• Less pain – Smaller cuts that cause less discomfort and heal faster.
• Shorter hospital stays – Many can go home the next day.
• Quicker recovery – back to work and normal life sooner.
• Lower risk – less chance of infection or other problems compared to open surgery.

Growth of Minimally Invasive Surgery in India

Over the past two decades, keyhole surgery, also known as minimally invasive surgery, has transformed healthcare in India. Once considered an expensive and high-end option, it was available only in some hospitals. With more and more surgeons training in the speciality, it is now offered in medical centers across the country.

The growth is driven by several factors, including advances in medical imaging, improved surgical tools, and better training. More surgeons are now training and also helping raise awareness among patients.

As the advanced techniques are applied to diagnose and treat more conditions, it is rapidly becoming the preferred choice. Now Nanjappa Life Care is embracing this change, making world-class surgical care available closer to home.

Consult our experts to treat your concerns, too.