Types of Surgeries

An appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix. It’s a common emergency surgery that’s performed to treat appendicitis, an inflammatory condition of the appendix. The appendix is a small, tube-shaped pouch attached to your large intestine.

Arthroscopy (also called arthroscopic or keyhole surgery) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure on a joint in which an examination and sometimes treatment of damage is performed using an arthroscope, an endoscope that is inserted into the joint through a small incision.

Surgical Breast Biopsy If other tests show you might have breast cancer, your doctor may refer you for a breast biopsy. Most often this will be a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy or a core needle biopsy (CNB).

Excision is different from debridement in that the burn injury is prepared to have skin grafts or synthetic grafts placed on the surface of the skin. This procedure leaves a large area that must be covered. Sometimes scars are excised prior to reconstructive surgery.

A c-section, or cesarean section, is the delivery of a baby through a surgical incision in the mother's abdomen and uterus. In some circumstances, a c-section is scheduled in advance. In others, the surgery is needed due to an unforeseen complication. If you or your baby is in imminent danger, you'll have an emergency c-section. Otherwise, it's called an unplanned section.

What is a Cardiothoracic Surgeon Cardiothoracic surgeons will graduate from medical school and go on to complete either a 5-year general surgery residency followed by a 2- or 3-year cardiothoracic surgery residency program, or enter into a 6-year integrated cardiothoracic surgery residency.

A carotid endarterectomy is a surgical procedure to open or clean the carotid artery with the goal of stroke prevention. It is a durable procedure but not a cure; though rare, blockage can accumulate again.

What if My Vision Gets Cloudy After Surgery? Sometimes after cataract surgery, you may find that things start to look cloudy again. It happens because a lens capsule -- the part of your eye that holds your new artificial lens in place -- begins to thicken up. You may hear your doctor call this by its medical name: posterior capsule opacification.

A c-section, or cesarean section, is the delivery of a baby through a surgical incision in the mother's abdomen and uterus. In some circumstances, a c-section is scheduled in advance. In others, the surgery is needed due to an unforeseen complication. If you or your baby is in imminent danger, you'll have an emergency c-section. Otherwise, it's called an unplanned section.

Read about laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a surgery to remove gallbladder. Benefits of the laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a shorter recovery time. Discover details about the laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedure, recovery times, and potential complications.

Circumcision is generally a safe surgical procedure if the following conditions are met: The circumcision is performed carefully, using strict aseptic (sterile) technique. The circumcision is performed by a trained, experienced practitioner. The circumcision is performed only on a healthy, stable infant.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a type of surgery that improves blood flow to the heart. Surgeons use CABG to treat people who have severe coronary heart disease (CHD). CHD is a disease in which a waxy substance called plaque (plak) builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart.

Debridement of a Wound, Infection or Burn Debridement is the removal of unhealthy tissue from a wound to promote healing. It can be done by surgical, chemical, mechanical or autolytic (using your body's own processes) removal of the tissue.

Dental Health and Tooth Restorations Tooth restorations are the various ways your dentist can replace missing teeth or repair missing parts of the tooth structure. Tooth structure can be missing due to decay, deterioration of a previously placed restoration, or fracture of a tooth.

The duodenal switch weight loss surgery is known by multiple names, including DS and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. This procedure is a type of combined malabsorptive and restrictive weight loss surgery.

Gastric bypass surgery is not a quick fix for obesity. It will greatly change your lifestyle. After this surgery, you must eat healthy foods, control portion sizes of what you eat, and exercise.

Carotid endarterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove blockage from carotid arteries, the arteries located in the neck that supply blood to the brain. Left untreated, a blocked carotid artery can lead to a stroke. Cataract surgery. Cataracts cloud the normally clear lens of the eyes.

Laparoscopic gastric banding is surgery to help with weight loss. The surgeon places a band around the upper part of your stomach to create a small pouch to hold food.

What is a Neurosurgeon? A neurosurgeon is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system including congenital anomalies, trauma, tumors, vascular disorders, infections of the brain or spine, stroke, or degenerative diseases of the spine.

What is a Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon? Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons are specialist that treat a number of diseases, injuries and defects in the head, neck, face and jaw. Find out how in our Dental Information Center!

Otolaryngology (pronounced oh/toe/lair/in/goll/oh/jee) is the oldest medical specialty in the United States. Otolaryngologists are physicians trained in the medical and surgical management and treatment of patients with diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat (ENT), and related structures of the head and neck.

Surgical problems seen by pediatric surgeons are often quite different from those commonly seen by adult or general surgeons. Special training in pediatric surgery is important. Special training in pediatric surgery is important.

Cosmetic surgery is a separate sub-specialty from plastic surgery and knowing the difference can help you better understand a surgeon's qualifications. Read more.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery is one of the most common weight loss surgeries, accounting for about 47% of all weight loss surgeries. The procedure has two parts: Part One: Making a Small Pouch in the Stomach. The surgeon divides the stomach into a large portion and a much smaller one.

Is gastric sleeve surgery a possibility? Find out from WebMD about the risks, benefits, who's a good candidate for this procedure, and what you have to do afterward. Find out from WebMD about the risks, benefits, who's a good candidate for this procedure, and what you have to do afterward.

Trauma and orthopaedic surgery is often abbreviated to T&O surgery. This page provides useful information on the nature of the work, the common procedures/interventions, sub-specialties and other roles that may interest you.