Understanding Different Types of Surgery: A Patient’s Guide

people in blue scrub suit sitting on chair — Source: Unsplash

If you’ve got a surgical appointment coming up, it’s important to understand what type of surgery you’re having if you want to feel more confident and prepared.

Surgery can be a daunting prospect, after all. Whether it’s a minimally invasive procedure or a major operation, demystifying the experience can give you a sense of control over your situation, helping you to set realistic expectations and understand the potential risks.

To help you do this, we’ve created a patient’s guide to understanding different types of surgery. Starting with the most common categories.

Elective Surgery

Elective surgeries are surgeries planned in advance and not emergencies – for instance, cosmetic procedures, joint replacements, or cataract surgery.

Emergency Surgery

Emergency surgery, on the other hand, are procedures that are performed immediately to save a life or prevent serious harm. Examples in this case include appendectomies, trauma surgeries, and surgeries for ruptured organs.

Semi-Elective Surgery

While not emergencies, semi-elective surgeries need to be done within a certain time frame to prevent the worsening of a condition – for instance, non-invasive cancer removal or gallbladder issues.

Surgical Approaches

When it comes to approaches of surgery, these can differ between open surgery and minimally invasive surgery.

For open surgery, a large incision is made to access a wider surgical area, with examples including heart bypass surgery and organ transplants. Some of the instruments used in this case include scalpels, blades, and Metzenbaum scissors. In more recent years, the use of a self-retaining surgical tool for surgery has also grown common.

For minimally invasive surgery, smaller incisions are made, with specialised instruments used to accommodate for minute access. These instruments include laparoscopes, endoscopes – used specifically during endoscopic surgery, where a flexible tube with a camera is inserted to negate the need for large incisions – and graspers.

Choosing the Correct Surgery

If you’re thinking about undertaking elective surgery, it’s essential you consult with a surgeon to understand which type of surgery – if any – is the most appropriate. The decision, in this case, will come down to your condition, medical history, and personal preference.

If your current medical condition is not ideal, it’s important to weigh the risks and benefits of your different options, including potential complications, the recovery time, and the long-term outcomes. When it comes to semi-elective surgery, the decision is both in the hands of you and your physician.

This involves balancing urgency with planned scheduling. It’s important to assess how quickly your condition might progress if left untreated, but also what the health risks are of prolonging surgical treatment. Explore alternative treatments with your doctor and manage options that might be available if you’re not yet ready for surgery.

If you’re being urged towards surgery, it’s important to listen to your doctor’s guidance and make a decision that positively affects your quality of life.

Conclusion

As mentioned previously, this is a simplified guide of the different types of surgery, but you can undertake more in-depth research online before making any decisions. Similarly, if you’re already booked in for surgery, additional research can be particularly useful to understand the process further and get yourself into a better, more positive headspace.