5 Minimally Invasive Alternatives to Surgery

Is Surgery Really Your Only Option?

You’ve been told you need surgery—maybe for fibroids, varicose veins, or a blocked artery. Surgery often means general anesthesia, hospital stays, and weeks of recovery. But today, many patients are surprised to learn they may qualify for minimally invasive alternatives to surgery—procedures that can treat the condition without large incisions or long downtime.

Thanks to innovations in interventional radiology, many patients now have minimally invasive alternatives to surgery. These procedures often involve only a small incision, are done on an outpatient basis, and come with less pain, fewer risks, and faster recovery.

If you’ve been referred for surgery, it’s time to ask: is there a less invasive way to treat this condition?

1. Minimally Invasive Alternatives to Hysterectomy for Fibroids

Traditionally, hysterectomy was the standard treatment for uterine fibroids. But removing the uterus isn’t always necessary.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) or Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE) is a minimally invasive alternative that works by blocking blood flow to the fibroids, causing them to shrink. The procedure preserves the uterus, requires no large incisions, and typically allows patients to return to normal activities within a week.
is a minimally invasive alternative that works by blocking blood flow to the fibroids, causing them to shrink. The procedure preserves the uterus, requires no large incisions, and typically allows patients to return to normal activities within a week.

Learn more: Should You Get a Hysterectomy or a Less Invasive Option?

2. Varicose Veins: Modern Treatments Over Vein Stripping

Vein stripping is rarely recommended today. Instead, most specialists offer options like:

• Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA)
  
• Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
  

Both procedures close off faulty veins without removing them, and they’re done in a clinic setting. Patients walk out the same day, often with minimal bruising and quick symptom relief.

Explore more: Varicose Veins: Surgery or a Minimally Invasive Treatment?

3. Liver Tumors: Targeted Therapies Without Open Surgery

Open liver surgery is complex and requires a long recovery. But for some patients with liver tumors, interventional radiology offers an alternative.

• Chemoembolization (TACE)
  
• Radioembolization (Y90)
  

These treatments deliver cancer-fighting agents directly to the tumor through a catheter, minimizing impact on healthy tissue.

See details from Johns Hopkins Interventional Radiology

4. Kidney Failure: Dialysis Access Without Open Procedures

For those undergoing dialysis, maintaining access is critical—and often challenging. Surgery used to be the only option. Now, procedures like:

• Fistulogram with angioplasty
  
• Peritoneal dialysis catheter placement
  
• Kidney artery stenting
  

allow physicians to restore or improve blood flow with minimal downtime. These interventions help patients stay on track with dialysis or delay its start.

5. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): More Than Just Blood Thinners

When blood clots form in deep veins, particularly in the legs, time is critical. While blood thinners help prevent clots from growing, they don’t always remove the existing blockage.

Catheter-directed thrombolysis delivers clot-dissolving medication directly into the vein. This can restore blood flow faster and reduce the risk of long-term complications like post-thrombotic syndrome.

Read more: When Leg Pain Isn’t Just Aging

When Is Surgery Still the Best Option?

Surgery is still necessary in many cases, especially when immediate removal or structural repair is needed. But for the right patients, minimally invasive alternatives to surgery can offer safer, faster solutions.

Speak with your doctor or ask for a second opinion from an interventional radiologist. The least invasive option might be the most effective.

Learn more about minimally invasive procedures at the Doctorize Blog