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What the 50 Most Common Surgical Operations?

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What the 50 Most Common Surgical Operations?

1. Abdominal and Digestive (General Surgery)

These procedures focus on the gastrointestinal tract, metabolic organs, and the abdominal wall.

No. Operation Disease / Problem Who Performs It Complications
1 Appendectomy Acute appendicitis General surgeon Infection, bleeding
2 Cholecystectomy Gallstones, cholecystitis General surgeon Bile duct injury
3 Colectomy Colon cancer, IBD Colorectal surgeon Anastomotic leak
4 Colostomy Bowel obstruction/injury Colorectal surgeon Stoma complications
5 Endoscopy GI bleeding, ulcers Gastroenterologist Perforation
6 Fistulotomy Anal fistula General surgeon Incontinence
7 Haemorrhoidectomy Severe hemorrhoids General surgeon Pain, bleeding
8 Hernia repair Inguinal/ventral hernia General surgeon Recurrence
9 Laparoscopy Diagnostic/minor abdominal General surgeon Organ injury
10 Laparotomy Abdominal trauma/disease General surgeon Infection, adhesions
11 Liver biopsy Liver disease diagnosis Hepatologist Bleeding
12 PEG tube insertion Long-term feeding General/Gastro Infection

2. Breast, Skin, and Vascular

Focuses on soft tissue oncology, wound management, and the peripheral circulatory system.

No. Operation Disease / Problem Who Performs It Complications
1 Dialysis AV fistula End-stage renal failure Vascular surgeon Thrombosis
2 Lumpectomy (breast) Localised breast cancer Breast surgeon Recurrence
3 Mastectomy Breast cancer Breast surgeon Lymphoedema
4 Skin graft Burns, large wounds Plastic surgeon Graft failure
5 Varicose vein surgery Varicose veins Vascular surgeon Recurrence

3. Cardiovascular and Thoracic

High-complexity surgeries involving the heart, lungs, and the thoracic cavity.

No. Operation Disease / Problem Who Performs It Complications
1 Angioplasty + stent Coronary artery stenosis Interventional cardiologist Re-stenosis, bleeding
2 Bronchoscopy Airway disease Respiratory physician Bleeding
3 CABG Coronary artery disease Cardiothoracic surgeon Stroke, infection
4 ICD insertion Malignant arrhythmias Cardiologist Inappropriate shocks
5 Lung lobectomy Lung cancer Thoracic surgeon Pneumonia
6 Pacemaker insertion Bradyarrhythmias Cardiologist Infection

4. Gynaecology and Obstetrics

Procedures related to maternal health, childbirth, and female reproductive disorders.

No. Operation Disease / Problem Who Performs It Complications
1 Caesarean section Complicated delivery Obstetrician Haemorrhage, infection
2 Dilation & curettage Miscarriage, uterine bleeding Gynaecologist Uterine perforation
3 Hysterectomy Fibroids, cancer Gynaecologist Bleeding, organ injury
4 Tubal ligation Female sterilization Gynaecologist Ectopic pregnancy

5. Head, Neck, and ENT

Focuses on the upper respiratory tract, sensory organs of the head, and endocrine glands.

No. Operation Disease / Problem Who Performs It Complications
1 Adenoidectomy Nasal obstruction ENT surgeon Bleeding
2 Rhinoplasty Nasal deformity ENT / plastic surgeon Cosmetic dissatisfaction
3 Thyroidectomy Goiter, thyroid cancer ENT / endocrine surgeon Hypocalcaemia
4 Tonsillectomy Recurrent tonsillitis ENT surgeon Bleeding
5 Tracheostomy Airway obstruction ENT / general surgeon Infection

6. Neurological and Spinal Surgery

Highly technical procedures involving the brain, spinal column, and central nervous system.

No. Operation Disease / Problem Who Performs It Complications
1 Craniotomy Brain tumour/haemorrhage Neurosurgeon Seizures
2 Discectomy Herniated disc Ortho / neurosurgeon Nerve/cord injury
3 Spinal fusion Spinal instability Ortho / neurosurgeon Non-union
4 VP shunt Hydrocephalus Neurosurgeon Infection, blockage

7. Ophthalmic (Eye) Surgery

Specialised microsurgeries to restore vision and treat ocular diseases.

No. Operation Disease / Problem Who Performs It Complications
1 Cataract surgery Cataract Ophthalmologist Retinal detachment
2 LASIK Refractive error Ophthalmologist Dry eyes

8. Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal

Procedures focusing on the skeletal system, joint restoration, and bone health.

No. Operation Disease / Problem Who Performs It Complications
1 Amputation Trauma, gangrene Ortho / vascular surgeon Phantom limb pain
2 Bone marrow biopsy Haematologic disorders Haematologist Pain, bleeding
3 Carpal tunnel release Carpal tunnel syndrome Hand surgeon Nerve injury
4 Hip replacement Osteoarthritis, fracture Orthopaedic surgeon Dislocation, infection
5 Knee replacement Severe arthritis Orthopaedic surgeon Infection
6 ORIF Bone fractures Orthopedic surgeon Infection, non-union

9. Urology and Male Reproductive

Focuses on the urinary tract (both sexes) and the male-specific reproductive organs.

No. Operation Disease / Problem Who Performs It Complications
1 Circumcision Phimosis, hygiene Surgeon / urologist Bleeding
2 Cystoscopy Bladder disease Urologist Infection
3 Nephrectomy Kidney cancer/damage Urologist Bleeding
4 Prostatectomy Prostate cancer Urologist Incontinence, ED
5 TURP Benign prostatic hyperplasia Urologist Bleeding
6 Vasectomy Male sterilisation Urologist Chronic pain

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