What is surgery?

Surgery is a medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate or treat a pathological condition, such as disease or injury, to help improve bodily function or appearance or to repair unwanted ruptured areas.

The history of surgery can be traced back to the Stone Age, when sharp stones were used as knives to remove arrowheads and abscesses. Over the centuries, surgical techniques have advanced dramatically, thanks to the development of anaesthesia, antiseptic surgery, and antibiotics. Today, surgery is an essential part of medical care, and it is used to treat a wide variety of conditions, from heart disease to cancer.

Surgical procedures can be either elective or urgent. Elective surgeries are those that are not immediately necessary, such as cosmetic surgery or joint replacement surgery. Urgent surgeries are those that are necessary to save a life or limb, such as emergency surgery for a ruptured appendix or a car accident victim.

Regardless of the type of surgery, the ultimate goal is always the same: to improve the patient's quality of life. Surgery can accomplish this by relieving pain, restoring function, or improving appearance. In some cases, surgery may even be lifesaving.

If you are facing surgery, it is important to be well-informed about the procedure and what to expect. Your doctor will be able to provide you with all the information you need to make a decision about whether or not to have surgery.