Types of Surgery
Plastic Surgery: Cosmetic Surgery
Aesthetic plastic surgery involves techniques intended for the “enhancement” of appearance through surgical and medical techniques, and is specifically concerned with maintaining normal appearance, restoring it, or enhancing it beyond the average level toward some aesthetic ideal. »
Neurosurgery Career Information
Neurosurgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the entire nervous system including the brain, spinal column, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and extra-cranial cerebrovascular system. History Brain surgery is perhaps the oldest of the medical practices. Africa showed evidence of brain surgery as early as... »
What is Laser Eye Surgery?
For many people, laser eye surgery, also called (Keratectomy, LASIK, LTK, PRK) can correct their vision so they no longer need glasses or contact lenses. Laser eye surgery reshapes the cornea, the clear front part of the eye. This changes its focusing power. There are different types of laser eye surgery. LASIK – laser-assisted... »
Sinus Surgery
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is a surgical modality for some diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses. It is the mainstay in the surgical treatment of sinusitis and nasal polyposis, including fungal sinusitis. FESS is a relatively recent surgical procedure that uses nasal endoscopes (using Hopkins rod lens telescopes) to minimize cutting and trauma to the skin. These endoscopes have... »
Surgery Choices for Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer
As a woman with early-stage breast cancer (DCIS or Stage I, IIA, IIB, or IIIA breast cancer), you may be able to choose which type of breast surgery to have. Often, your choice is between breast-sparing surgery (surgery that takes out the cancer and leaves most of the breast) and a mastectomy (surgery that... »
Heart Surgery Overview
Heart surgery is done to correct problems with the heart. More than half a million heart surgeries are done each year in the United States for a variety of heart problems. Heart surgery is used to correct heart problems in children and adults. This article discusses heart surgeries for adults. For more information about heart surgeries for children, see... »
Weight Loss Surgery
If you’re very overweight and can’t lose pounds with a healthy diet and exercise, surgery (known as Bariatric surgery, Bypass surgery, Gastric banding, or Obesity surgery) might be an option for you. The surgery is usually for men who are at least 100 pounds overweight and women who are at least 80 pounds overweight.... »
Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics (also spelled orthopaedics) is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorder. Nicholas Andry coined the word “orthopaedics”, derived from Greek words for orthos (“correct”, “straight”) and paideion (“child”), when he... »
Carotid Endarterectomy
Carotid endarterectomy (ka-ROT-id END-ar-ter-EK-to-me), or CEA, is surgery to remove plaque (plak) from the carotid arteries. These are the two large arteries on each side of your neck. They supply oxygen-rich blood to your brain. CEA is used to prevent stroke, or “brain attack,” in people who have carotid artery disease. Carotid artery disease... »
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a type of surgery that improves blood flow to the heart. It’s used for people who have severe coronary heart disease (CHD), also called coronary artery disease. CHD is a condition in which a substance called plaque (plak) builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygen-rich... »