SURGERY

Surgery is defined as the art of science of treating diseases,

injuries and deformities by operations and instrumentations
Classification of surgery
There are various types of surgery and they can be classified
based on different parameters
i. Based on Timing Surgery
-can be classified based on the urgency and need to perform
the surgery.
Elective Surgery
-An elective procedure is simply one that is planned in advance,
rather than one that’s done in an emergency situation.
-A wide range of surgical procedures can be considered elective
surgery.
-Cosmetic surgeries fall into this category, but so can
things like ear tubes, tonsillectomies, and scoliosis surgery.
Although these procedures may be done “electively,” they can
be significant and potentially life-changing operations.
Semi-elective Surgery
Semi-elective surgery is a surgery that must be done to preserve
the patient’s life, but does not need to be performed
immediately.
Urgent Surgery
An urgent surgery is one that can wait until the patient is
medically stable, but should generally be done today or
tomorrow
Emergency Surgery
An emergency surgery is one that must be performed without
delay; the patient has no choice other than immediate surgery, if
they do not want to risk permanent disability or death.
Required
-Patient needs to have surgery, Plan within a few weeks or
month i.e Prostatic hyperplasia without bladder obstruction,
Cataracts
Optional
-Decision rests with patient and it is a Personal preference i.e
Cosmetic surgery

ii. Based on Body Part

Surgery can also be classified based on the body part that is
being operated on.
-When surgery is performed on one organ system or structure, it
may be classed by the tissue, organ or organ system involved.
Examples include:
Gastrointestinal surgery
-This type of surgery is performed within the digestive tract and
its accessory organs.
-Gastrointestinal surgery involves the treatment for diseases of
the parts of the body involved in digestion.
-This includes the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large
intestine, and rectum. It also includes the liver, gallbladder, and
pancreas
Orthopaedic surgery
-This is performed on bones or muscles.
-The medical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment,
rehabilitation, and prevention of injuries of the musculoskeletal
system including the muscles, bones, spine, joints, ligaments,
tendons, and nerves.
Cardiovascular Surgery
-Cardiovascular surgery is the surgical treatment of diseases and
disorders of the heart and blood vessels.
-Examples of cardiovascular surgery include open heart surgery
such as coronary artery bypass grafting, heart valve
replacements, heart transplant and vascular surgery such as
abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs and femoral-tibial bypass
grafting.
Gynaecology
Gynaecology refers to the surgical specialty dealing with the
health of the female reproductive system (uterus, vagina and
ovaries).
Neurosurgery
The surgical specialty involved in the treatment of disorders of
the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.
Ophthalmology (Eyes)
-A medical specialty focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of
disorders of the eye.
-Conditions include cataracts, glaucoma, and conjunctivitis,
among others.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
-A dental specialty focusing on the diagnosis and surgical
treatment of diseases, injuries and defects of the mouth, teeth
and gums. Examples of oral surgery include removal of
wisdom teeth, facial injury repair, cleft lip and palate repair, and
repair of uneven jaws.
Otolaryngology – Ears, Nose and Throat (ENT)
Otolaryngology is the medical and surgical treatment of the
head and neck, including ears, nose and throat.
Thoracic
This is also known as Cardiothoracic surgery. This is the field of
medicine involved in surgical treatment of organs inside the
thorax (the chest)—generally treatment of conditions of the
heart (heart disease) and lungs (lung disease).
Urology
-This is a type of surgery that is performed on the urinary tract.
It is a surgical specialty that deals with problems affecting the
urinary tract including kidneys, bladder, and prostate.
iii. Based on Equipment Used
Surgery can also be classified based on the type of surgical
equipment’s used for the procedure.
Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery makes use of a surgical robot, such as the Da
Vinci or the Zeus surgical systems, to control the
instrumentation under the direction of the surgeon.
-Da Vinci’s advanced level of technology takes surgery beyond
the limits of the human hand.
-This da Vinci Surgical System compliments our goal of
extending minimally invasive surgery to the broadest base of
patients including but not limited to: cholecystectomy
(gallbladder removal), hysterectomies, myomectomies, hiatal
and hernia repairs, removal of one or both adrenal glands,
GERD related diagnoses (Reflux), and
oesophageal stricture.
-The da Vinci Surgical System offers Enhanced 3D, high-
definition vision of operative field, with up to 10x magnification
New optimal dual console, which allows a second surgeon to
provide assistance
-Ability to mimic the surgeon’s hand movements with enhanced
dexterity
Microsurgery
-Microsurgery involves the use of an operating microscope for
the surgeon to see small structures.
-The most obvious developments have been procedures
developed to allow anastomosis of successively smaller blood
vessels and nerves (typically 1 mm in diameter) which
have allowed transfer of tissue from one part of the body to
another and re-attachment
of severed parts.
-Microsurgical techniques are utilized by several specialties
today, such as Replantation, Transplantation, treatment of
infertility, etc
Laser Surgery
-Laser surgery involves use of a laser for cutting tissue instead
of a scalpel or similar surgical instruments.
Laser surgery is commonly used on the eye. Techniques used
include LASIK, which is used to correct near and far-
sightedness in vision, and photorefractive keratectomy, a
procedure which permanently reshapes the cornea using an
excimer laser to remove a small amount of the human tissue.
iv. Based on degree of invasiveness
Surgery can also be classified based on the degree of invasiness
of the surgical procedure.
-By invasion, this refers to the medical procedure in which the
part of the body is entered by incision.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
-Minimally invasive surgery is any technique involved in
surgery that does not require a large incision.
-This relatively new approach allows the patient to recuperate
faster with less pain.
-Not all conditions are suitable for minimally invasive surgery.
=> Many surgery techniques now fall under minimally invasive
surgery: Laparoscopy (Laparoscopy is a procedure used to
check the organs in the belly (abdomen). It can also check a
woman's pelvic organs. Laparoscopy uses a thin lighted tube that
has a video camera. The tube is called a laparoscope),
Endoscopy (An endoscopy is a test to look inside your body. A
long, thin tube with a small camera inside, called an endoscope,
is passed into your body through a natural opening such as your
mouth), Arthroscopy (Arthroscopy is a procedure for
diagnosing and treating joint problems. A surgeon inserts a
narrow tube attached to a fiber-optic video camera through a
small incision — about the size of a buttonhole. The view inside
your joint is transmitted to a high-definition video monitor) and
many others.
Open Surgery
An “open” surgery means the cutting of skin and tissues so that
the surgeon has a full view of the structures or organs involved.
Examples of open surgery are the removal of the organs, such as
the gallbladder or kidneys.
v. Based on purpose
Surgery can also be classified based on the purpose for which
the surgery is being performed.
Surgeries are performed for various purposes and such can be
classified based on the purpose for the surgery.
Exploratory surgery
-Exploratory surgery is a diagnostic method used by doctors
when trying to find a diagnosis for an ailment. It is used most
commonly to diagnose or locate cancer in humans.
Therapeutic surgery
Therapeutic surgery treats a previously diagnosed condition
Cosmetic surgery
Cosmetic surgery is where a person chooses to have an
operation, or invasive medical procedure, to change their
physical appearance for cosmetic rather than medical reasons.