incisionless

Incisionless is a descriptive term used in medicine to denote procedures that do not require external surgical incisions. Instead, access is gained through natural orifices or small punctures in the skin, and procedures may use endoscopic, transvascular, or energy-based techniques to treat disease. It is closely related to the broader concept of minimally invasive or noninvasive surgery.

Techniques commonly described as incisionless include endoscopic interventions performed through the mouth or other natural openings, such as endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection; endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty; transcatheter or percutaneous approaches that avoid large thoracic or abdominal incisions, such as transcatheter valve implantation or embolization; and energy-based noninvasive therapies like focused ultrasound or laser ablation.

In practice, the term signals a shift toward procedures designed to minimize trauma, with benefits including reduced recovery time, lower infection risk, and less postoperative pain. However, incisionless procedures are not appropriate for all conditions, may require specialized equipment and training, and carry their own risks such as perforation, bleeding, device-related complications, or incomplete treatment.

The term has been used in surgical and interventional specialties including gastroenterology, neurosurgery, cardiology, and interventional radiology, reflecting a trend toward techniques that avoid open surgery. It is sometimes used for marketing by providers and device manufacturers, and its meaning can vary by context.