Operations (surgeries) are instrumental surgical procedures performed on or in the body to restore or maintain the body’s multiple functions. Pathological changes can be eliminated, quality of life improved, recovery of the body promoted, and health strengthened. For certain diseases, surgery is the cure of choice.In addition to the purpose of therapy, there are also diagnostic indications (reasons) for surgery.
To ensure that the patient is pain-free during the operation, the procedure is performed under anesthesia (a state of insensibility). A distinction is made between general anesthesia (anesthesia or general anesthesia), which is used for operations that are unreasonable for the awake patient, and local or regional anesthesia (local anesthesia or partial anesthesia), which achieves local analgesia without affecting the patient’s consciousness. Another frequently used anesthesia procedure is analgesia. This is the drug-induced elimination of pain (analgesia) with simultaneous sedation or dulling of consciousness (“painless twilight sleep“). Analgesia is mainly used for endoscopic examinations such as colonoscopy and gastroscopy as part of the diagnostic process.
Operations can be performed on an outpatient basis, i.e. without hospitalization, or on an inpatient basis.
The surgical specialties are divided into:
- General surgery (general surgery)
- Vascular surgery
- Cardiac surgery
- Pediatric surgery
- Orthopedics and trauma surgery (traumatology)
- Plastic surgery (aesthetic surgery)
- Thoracic surgery
- Visceral surgery (abdominal surgery)
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Neurosurgery
Other following medical specialties are included in the surgical subjects:
- Ophthalmology
- Gynecology and obstetrics
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Urology
Commonly performed surgeries include male circumcision (circumcision), surgery for cataract (cataract), cesarean section (caesarean section), appendectomy (removal of the appendix for appendicitis/induced appendicitis), surgery on joints such as the hip, knee or shoulder, and on the stomach, gallbladder or intestines.
Every operation poses a risk, because complications can never be ruled out one hundred percent! The patient is carefully informed in advance about possible side effects of the anesthetic as well as complications and secondary diseases that may arise during or as a result of the operation.
Ultimately, the success of an operation also depends on good preparation and adequate aftercare.
