Yale hosts first no-incision procedure

The first no incision procedure in the country has been done at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Surgeon Dr. Kurt Roberts successfully performed an invisible incision which means the patient had no external scar. The 20-year-old female underwent an appendectomy.

Dr. Roberts used laparoscopic tools through a natural opening in the body; in this case, the vagina.

"We're going through the top of the vagina, making small incisions in there, putting our laparoscopic instruments in and then we visualize right away the appendix," Dr. Roberts said. "So we can mobilize the appendix, we can ligate the flamed appendix, and then take it out."

The benefits include minimal post-op pain and quicker recovery.

Dr. Roberts said invisible incision is the next wave in minimally invasive surgery. And, in the near future, it could be applied to removing gall bladders and fallopian tubes.