Current Status of Pediatric Minimal Invasive Surgery (MIS) in Korea

Minimal invasive surgery (MIS) has rapidly gained acceptance for the management of a wide variety of pediatric diseases. The evolution of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in children, especially newborns, has been delayed because of the limited working space and unique physiology. With the development of smaller instruments and advanced surgical skills, many of the initial obstacles have been overcome. MIS in children has been used in specialized centers with excellent results, and its application in Korea has been increasing recently. Obvious advantages include better cosmoses, less trauma, and better postoperative musculoskeletal function, especially after thoracic procedures. However, prospective randomized trials and high-level evidence of the benefits of MIS are still scarce. Questions to be answered in the upcoming years will therefore include identify both advantages and potential disadvantages of MIS, especially in neonates. In this review, recent surveys regarding use of MIS by the Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons were also discussed.