Explore 24 Types of Surgery and Their Role in Healthcare

There are 24 types of surgeries, each with unique purposes and techniques, from emergency to elective, and from minimally invasive to open methods. Preoperative steps, postoperative care, and understanding risks are essential for informed decisions and better recovery outcomes. 

Surgery has always been an essential part of healthcare, even in earlier times. It has repeatedly shown itself to be successful in treating, removing, or repairing internal issues by making incisions into specific body parts. Therefore, being informed about different surgical procedures is crucial, whether for planned surgery or exploring options for health concerns. 

This guide offers an overview of types of surgeries, their purposes, and how they are performed, helping to ease concerns and provide clarity for patients facing surgery decisions and medical students curious to explore this field.  

Classification of Surgeries

Surgeries can be classified into three general categories based on time limitations, risk of surgery, and purpose.

By Urgency

Depending on how urgent a surgical procedure is, there are: 

• Elective Surgeries: The type of surgery that is not urgent and scheduled in advance (e.g., knee replacement and cosmetic surgery).
• Emergency Surgeries: Immediate surgical procedures that are needed to save someone’s life or prevent severe harm (e.g., surgery after a serious accident and heart surgery during a heart attack).
• Semi-Emergency Surgeries: An important surgical procedure that has to be done expeditiously but not on an immediate basis (e.g., appendectomy and various cancer surgeries). 

By Invasiveness

Based on the degree of risk associated with surgery, we can distinguish between:

• Minimally Invasive Surgeries: Procedures that typically consist of small incisions using special tools, resulting in less pain, faster recovery, and reduced hospital stays (e.g., laparoscopy and arthroscopy).
• Open Surgeries: Traditional open surgeries involve larger incisions, typically used for complex or serious illnesses like open-heart surgery or organ transplants, and often require longer recovery periods.

By Purpose

Surgeries can be used for different purposes, such as: 

• Diagnostic: A diagnostic surgery, such as a biopsy, is performed to determine the cause of a condition or disease, like checking for cancer.
• Curative: Curative surgeries aim to completely cure or remove a specific condition, like removing a tumor.
• Palliative: Palliative surgeries focus on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life without curing the disease, such as reducing pain caused by a tumor.
• Preventive: These surgeries are performed to avert future health issues, like a prophylactic mastectomy to help prevent breast cancer.

Types of Surgeries

Let’s take a closer look at 24 different types of surgeries and their role in healthcare.

Appendectomy

An appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix, usually due to the inflammation of the appendix. It’s an emergency surgery used to prevent rupture. It can be done through an open incision or laparoscopy, the latter of which offers faster recovery. Risk factors include infection or bleeding.

Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is an open surgical procedure used to treat joint problems, such as torn cartilage or ligaments. A small camera will be inserted through very tiny incisions made around the joint. It is carried out mostly on the knee, shoulder, or ankle and has less recovery time compared to open surgeries. There are possibilities for infection or for joint stiffness to occur.

Bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery aids in weight loss for individuals with excessive weight. It alters the digestive system of a person. Common types of bariatric surgery include gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. Risks may include malnutrition or surgical complications, but it offers long-term health benefits.

Breast surgery

Breast surgery involves procedures like mastectomies or lumpectomies, usually to treat or prevent breast cancer. It might include breast reduction or augmentation. The length of recovery following surgery varies, as does the possibility of complications like infection or scarring.

Caesarean section

C-sections, which involve surgically delivering a baby through the opening of the abdomen and uterus, are performed as a result of labor issues or at the mother’s request. Hospitalization is required for recovery, and risks include blood clots, infection, and a longer recovery than with vaginal delivery.

Cataract surgery

Cataract surgery removes the cloudy lens of the eye, replacing it with an artificial one to restore clear vision. It’s a quick and common outpatient procedure, often for older adults. Risks are rare but may include infection or vision issues. Recovery is usually smooth with proper care.

Cardiothoracic surgery

Cardiothoracic surgery involves operations on the heart, lungs, or chest, such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or valve repair. These surgeries treat life-threatening conditions like heart disease. Recovery can be long, with risks of infection, stroke, or lung complications, but it often greatly improves life expectancy

Colorectal surgery

Colorectal surgery treats diseases of the colon, rectum, or anus (colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease). It might involve the removal of a segment of the colon or rectum. It is open or laparoscopic, and recovery will vary. Infection or bowel problems are considered potential side effects.

General surgery

General surgery covers a wide range of procedures focused on the abdomen, digestive system, and other areas. It includes surgeries like gallbladder removal or hernia repairs. Surgeons perform both open and minimally invasive methods. Risks depend on the procedure but often include infection, bleeding, and recovery challenges.

Hysterectomy

The surgical removal of the uterus, usually due to fibroids, endometriosis, or cancer. It can be performed abdominally, vaginally, or laparoscopically. Recovery differs depending on the method, risk of infection, and hormonal or bladder damage. It permanently eliminates the ability to bear children.

Inguinal hernia repair

Inguinal hernia repair is a surgery that repairs a bulge in the lower abdominal wall where the intestines have stuck out. Either open or laparoscopic, this surgery simply pushes the hernia back in and reinforces the wall. Recovery is quick, but hernias can sometimes reoccur.

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy uses a small camera to view organs inside the abdomen or pelvis and treat them through tiny cuts in the skin. It is used quite often for the purpose of diagnosing a condition or even doing surgeries like gallbladder removal. Recovery is quicker than open surgery, with fewer complications.

Obstetrics and gynecology surgeries

OB-GYN surgeries deal with female reproductive health, childbirth, C-sections, hysterectomies, and ovarian cysts and fibroids. This includes laparoscopic surgeries for many different ailments as well. Risks are different for every kind of surgery, and recovery time ranges from a few days to a couple of weeks.

Open surgery

During open surgery, doctors use large cuts to get to certain organs or tissues to treat them. They use it for intricate conditions such as cancer removal or organ transplantation. It is highly effective, but recovery takes much longer than minimally invasive procedures. Risks include infection, scarring, and longer hospital stays.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery

Oral and maxillofacial surgery deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the hard and soft tissues of the face, mouth, and jaw. These diseases include impacted teeth, facial injuries, fractures, and tumors. Depending on how severe the surgery is, there’s always the possibility of nerve damage or infection.

Orthopedic surgery

Orthopedic surgery deals with the injuries or problems of bones, joints, and muscles, like fractures and torn ligaments, or even joint replacements. Common procedures include knee replacements or spinal surgeries. Physical therapy is a must for a speedy recovery. Risks include infection, blood clots, or mobility issues.

Otolaryngology

Otolaryngology, known as ENT surgery (ear, nose, throat), is used to treat problems in these areas, such as sinus surgery, tonsillectomy, or surgery for hearing loss. They can range from minimally invasive to extremely invasive, depending on the problem. Some risk infection, others just temporary discomfort.

Pediatric surgery

Pediatric surgery is a subspecialty that encompasses everything from birth defects to trauma injuries. It covers various specialties like cardiac, orthopedic, and general surgery. Pediatric surgeons use both open and minimally invasive techniques. Anesthesia is always a risk, but recovery time is much shorter in children.

Plastic surgery

Plastic surgery ranges from nose jobs to reconstructive surgeries for trauma, burns, and congenital deformities. Procedures can be minimally invasive or complex. Recovery varies by procedure, and risks include infection, scarring, or dissatisfaction with cosmetic results.

Thoracic surgery

Thoracic surgery is surgery of the chest, which includes the lungs and esophagus. Examples of thoracic surgery are lung resections for cancer or esophageal surgery for swallowing disorders. It can be done either laparoscopic or open, taking weeks to recover. Potential complications include lung problems or infection.

Transplantation

A transplant surgery is when a failing organ (such as the kidney or liver) is replaced with a healthy organ from a donor. It is done to remedy end-stage organ failure and is a very intricate surgery that demands immunosuppressive drugs to be taken for the rest of one’s life. Risks include infection, organ rejection, and long-term complications.

Urology

Urology is the branch of surgery that deals with the urinary tract and the male reproductive organs, anything from kidney stones and bladder problems to prostate cancer. Common procedures include bladder surgery or vasectomy. Both minimally-invasive and open methods are used, and the risks include infection or problems with urination after the surgery.

Vascular surgery

Vascular surgery deals with issues with the blood vessels, such as blocked arteries or aneurysms. Procedures include bypass surgeries, angioplasty, or stenting. Surgeons use both open and minimally invasive techniques. Recovery is relative to the complexity; however, blood clots, infections, or heart problems might arise.

Preparing for Surgery

Certain considerations before and after surgery can improve patient outcomes. 

Preoperative steps

Before surgery, patients undergo consultations with their surgeon and anesthesiologist to discuss the procedure, anesthesia options, and necessary medical tests. Preparation includes:

• Fasting
• Adjusting medications 
• Mentally preparing for the surgery

Informed consent is key, ensuring patients understand the surgery’s risks, benefits, and expected recovery, giving them the opportunity to ask questions and make informed decisions.

Postoperative care

After surgery, patients must focus on pain management, wound care, and monitoring for complications like infection or bleeding. Physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and follow-up visits are important to ensure proper healing. 

Patients should also be aware of potential risks such as infection, blood clots, or slow recovery and follow medical advice to minimize complications. Close monitoring and adhering to the recommended care plan improve recovery outcomes.

Conclusion

Ranging from minimally invasive to more traditional, open techniques, there is always a surgical procedure for any health concern. However, knowing which surgery suits which condition is highly significant to ensure proper treatment. 

Any pre-med student should dabble in surgery through books, research, and hands-on practice. There is so much that a future surgeon can do to change people’s lives and, at the same time, continue to progress medical techniques and improve patient outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What are the top 5 major surgeries?

The top five major surgeries include open-heart surgery, organ transplantation, brain surgery, joint replacement, and bariatric surgery. These procedures often involve significant risks and lengthy recovery times.

What’s the hardest surgery to go?

Open-heart surgery is often considered one of the hardest surgeries due to its complexity and risks. It requires a long recovery and potential lifestyle changes afterward.