Surgery

Definition

Surgery is the performance of a physical procedure (operation) within the tissues for the purposes of diagnosis and/or treatment.

Types of surgery

Surgery can be classified in many ways. The most common surgical operations involve cutting into the tissues and wound closure once the procedure has been completed. Incisions may be made using a scalpel, electrosurgery units, lasers or ultrasonic scalpels. Wounds are closed by "first intention" suturing, stapling, bandaging, use of adhesives or by "second intention" when the body is left to close the wound itself.

•  Orthopaedic surgery
•  Soft tissue surgery
•  Endoscopic surgery
•  Oral/maxillofacial surgery
•  Dentistry
•  Ophthalmic surgery
•  Upper airway surgery
•  Abdominal surgery
• Thoracic surgery

Sometimes surgery is classified by the area of the body or organ system involved, in others by the nature of the tissues or by the techniques that are used eg. laser surgery and minimally invassive surgery.