Explore Key Differences Between a Procedure and a Surgery

• Procedures often involve minimal or no incisions, focusing on non-invasive or minimally invasive techniques, while surgeries require cuts or alterations to the body.
• Procedures can be diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive, or cosmetic, while surgeries include elective, emergency, minimally invasive, and open surgeries.
• Procedures require basic preparation, such as reviewing medical history and possibly fasting, while surgeries need extensive prep, including fasting, tests, and consultations with the surgical team.
• Recovery from procedures is usually quick, with patients returning to normal activities within days, while surgery recovery can take weeks or months.
• Procedures generally carry minor risks, like bruising or infection, while surgeries pose greater risks, such as anesthesia complications, excessive bleeding, or organ damage.

Being told you must undergo a medical procedure or surgery can trigger anxiety, especially when you’re unsure about what each entails. There’s even a term for the fear of medical procedures and surgeries—tomophobia—which, although not as extreme for most, still highlights the common unease patients feel when faced with the unknown. 

The thought of the unknown can make both options feel equally daunting. With so many types of surgeries and procedures out there, it’s impossible to cover them all, but what we can do is compare procedures vs. surgeries so you have a clearer picture of what to expect as a patient and, for those interested in the medical field, a sense of what may lie ahead if you decide to pursue a healthcare career.

What Is a Procedure?

A procedure in healthcare typically refers to a specific method or series of actions that are carried out to diagnose or treat a medical condition. It can be something as simple as a blood test or an X-ray or something more intricate like a biopsy or endoscopy. 

Many procedures are minimally invasive, meaning they do not require large incisions or significant alteration to the body. They’re typically carried out by trained healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and technicians, in settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, or doctors’ offices.

What Is Surgery?

Surgery is both a medical specialty and a form of treatment. As the latter, it refers to the operation of physically altering the body through incisions, excisions, or other methods. It’s usually recommended when other forms of treatment, such as medication or non-invasive procedures, are not sufficient.

Surgeries are used to deal with a wide variety of conditions, including correcting structural problems, removing or repairing damaged tissue, or transplanting organs or tissues. 

Procedure vs. Surgery 

Although many use the terms “procedure” and “surgery” interchangeably, they refer to different levels of intervention in medical treatment. To understand the differences, it’s helpful to compare them in the following aspects:

How do they work?

In a medical procedure, the focus is typically on non-invasive or minimally invasive techniques. For example, in a diagnostic procedure like an MRI scan or a blood test, the primary aim is to obtain information about the patient’s health without any physical alteration to the body. Treatment procedures, like a root canal or endoscopy, may involve small incisions or the insertion of tools into the body, but they are typically much less invasive than surgery.

In comparison, surgery is invasive as it requires making an incision, cutting tissue, removing organs, or repairing damage to internal structures. Surgery typically requires careful planning, skilled surgeons, and special medical tools. While procedures can be performed with local anesthesia or even with the patient awake, surgery generally requires general anesthesia and often a more extended recovery time.

Types of procedures and surgeries

There are several different types of procedures, but the main ones can be grouped into one of the following:

• Diagnostic procedures, such as blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, and biopsies.
• Therapeutic procedures, like setting a broken bone, draining an abscess, or performing a catheterization.
• Preventive procedures, including vaccinations, screenings, or the removal of precancerous lesions.
• Cosmetic procedures, like botox injections, liposuction, and rhinoplasty.

There are also many types of surgery, like:

• Elective surgery, such as cosmetic surgeries, joint replacements, or hernia repairs.
• Emergency surgery, such as appendectomies, trauma surgeries, and surgeries for internal bleeding.
• Minimally invasive surgery, like laparoscopic gallbladder removal or knee arthroscopy.
• Open surgery, including heart bypass surgeries and organ transplants.

Preparation for a procedure vs. surgery

For a procedure, the medical staff typically begins preparation by reviewing the patient’s medical history, possibly requiring them to fast for a few hours (if the procedure involves any type of sedation or anesthesia), and completing the necessary diagnostic tests.

On the other hand, surgery, being a more invasive kind of procedure, requires more extensive preparation. Patients are usually asked to fast for a longer period, sometimes up to 12 hours before surgery. Pre-surgical testing is way more thorough and may include blood work, ECGs, and imaging tests to assess overall health and ensure that the patient is fit for surgery. In addition, patients may need to meet with the surgical team beforehand to discuss the procedure, potential risks, and aftercare.

The operating room

The OR refers to the operating room where surgical procedures are performed. It should be a sterile environment equipped with a variety of advanced medical equipment and staffed by surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and other surgical support personnel.

The room where procedures are done does not necessarily have strict rules about conditions or the presence of a large team. Many minor procedures tend to be performed in outpatient clinics or doctors’ offices, using specialized tools but without the need for the expansive facilities required for surgery. 

Procedure and surgery risks

For procedures, common risks include minor bleeding, infection, or reactions to anesthesia. More complex procedures may also carry additional risks, including damage to surrounding tissues or organs.

For surgeries, there are more risks. Anesthesia, infection, excessive bleeding, and complications arising from the surgical site can all pose a problem during and after the surgery. 

Some surgeries also carry the risk of organ damage or failure, especially if the procedure involves high-risk areas such as the heart, brain, or vital organs. Considering the complexity and invasiveness of surgery, it is more likely that complications may arise, although surgical teams take great care to minimize these risks through careful planning and monitoring.

Common side effects

Procedure side effects are milder. They can include discomfort, bruising, or swelling at the site of the procedure. For example, following a blood test or vaccination, patients may experience a slight bruise or tenderness at the injection site. More invasive procedures may result in mild post-procedural pain or discomfort, but it’s still not as serious since it can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications.

Surgery side effects, on the other hand, are generally more noteworthy due to the invasiveness of the operation. Common side effects include pain at the surgical site, swelling, and potential infection. Depending on the surgery, patients may also experience nausea, vomiting, or dizziness as a result of anesthesia. More serious side effects may include blood clots, nerve damage, or complications from the use of general anesthesia.

Recovery time

Because of all the differences in how they work, the risks taken, and even possible side effects, the two also diverge in recovery times. 

Recovery time for a procedure is typically shorter as, in most cases, patients can return to normal activities within a few hours or days. Recovery time for surgery, however, is often much longer, especially if the surgery is major or involves internal organs. It can range from several days for minimally invasive surgeries to several months for major surgeries and may need physical therapy or follow-up appointments.

Which Option Should You Choose?

When it comes to deciding between a procedure and surgery, this is generally not a choice that a patient makes. It’s the responsibility of the doctor or medical professional to assess your condition and determine the best course of treatment. They will evaluate the severity of your illness or injury and decide whether it can be addressed with a less invasive procedure or if surgery is necessary.

However, if you become a surgeon, and are wondering which to choose for one of your patients, then keep in mind to always prioritize the least invasive option possible. 

Medical professionals typically aim to minimize harm and recovery time for patients, so a procedure is often considered first, provided it can effectively address the issue. Surgery is only recommended when a procedure cannot achieve the desired results or when the condition requires a more extensive intervention. 

Conclusion

Though no one likes the idea of undergoing a procedure or surgery, it’s important to remember that both are ultimately aiming to help you resolve any medical issues you may be facing. If you’re the one hoping to perform them in the future, then apply to our medical school so you can gain the knowledge and training needed to make your patients feel at ease knowing they’re in the hands of a well-prepared professional.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): 

What is the procedure before surgery called?

The procedure before surgery is called preoperative care.

What is the difference between surgical and nonsurgical procedures?

Surgical procedures involve cutting or altering the body to treat a condition, while nonsurgical procedures do not require incisions and may include injections or physical therapy.

Is a procedure always a surgery?

No, a procedure is not always a surgery, as it can refer to any medical treatment or intervention, including non-invasive methods.