CURRENT EVIDENCE ON THE IMPACT OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE APPROACH ON POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS IN ABDOMINAL SURGERIES: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Postoperative complications represent a recurring challenge in abdominal surgeries, negatively impacting patient recovery and burdening healthcare systems. The minimally invasive approach (MIA), with the advancement of videolaparoscopic and robotic techniques, has been widely adopted with the promise of reducing such adverse events. To analyze the current scientific evidence on the impact of the minimally invasive approach on postoperative complications in abdominal surgeries. This is an integrative literature review. The search was performed in the PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, Embase and Web of Science databases, using controlled descriptors and Boolean operators. Studies published between 2015 and 2025, available in full, in Portuguese, English or Spanish, that compared postoperative outcomes between minimally invasive and conventional abdominal surgeries were included. Twenty-two studies were included, which consistently demonstrated the association of MIA with a lower incidence of surgical site infection, postoperative pain, length of hospital stay, and need for analgesia. Despite the slightly longer operative time in some cases, the clinical and economic benefits were significant. Methodological heterogeneity limited the possibility of meta-analysis, but did not compromise the robustness of the qualitative findings. Current evidence indicates that the minimally invasive approach significantly reduces postoperative complications in abdominal surgeries, and is an effective and safe strategy when applied appropriately. It is recommended that technical training and hospital infrastructure be strengthened to expand the safe use of this approach.