Aortic aneurysm repair is performed when an aneurysm forms in the aortic artery. An aneurysm is an abnormal widening or ballooning of a portion of an artery, related to weakness in the wall of the blood vessel. The aorta is a large artery that stems from the heart and carries blood to the rest of the body. Repairing an aortic aneurysm usually entails surgery, although a stent-graft repair procedure is also gaining popularity as it is minimally invasive and requires less recovery time. The most common procedures are open aorta surgical repair, graft-stent repair, and endovascular stent-graft repair. A vascular and/or cardio-thoracic surgeon usually performs this surgery which requires a hospital stay, although the endovascular and graft-stent methods typically involve a shorter stay.

Laminectomy is back surgery that includes the surgical removal of all or part of the laminae (sections of the vertebrae that surround the spinal cord). This surgery is performed to gain access to the spinal cord to remove tumors, treat injuries to the spine, relieve pressure on a nerve, or to implant, revise or reposition a catheter to administer medication using an external pump.

Bariatric surgery is a type of procedure that can be used to achieve significant weight loss in individuals who are very obese (morbidly obese). A thumb-sized stomach pouch is created (using a stapling or banding technique) then the outlet of the pouch is connected directly to the intestine, essentially bypassing the lower stomach. After the surgery, the amount of calories your body can intake is reduced which leads to weight loss.

Bone marrow is a soft, fatty tissue inside the bones where blood cells (red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells) are produced and developed. Bone marrow biopsies (collection of a small sample for examination) are used to evaluate blood disorders and diagnosis certain types of cancers. They can also be helpful in diagnosing fevers of unknown origins. A bone marrow biopsy can be an aspiration, a needle biopsy, or both.

Bone marrow is a soft, fatty tissue inside the bones where blood cells (red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells) are produced and developed. A bone marrow transplant is a procedure to transplant healthy bone marrow into a patient whose bone marrow is not functioning properly (that is diseased or damaged). Problems in bone marrow are often caused by chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer. Bone marrow transplant is also done to correct hereditary blood diseases.

Brain surgery is performed to repair an injury, remove a tumor or lesion, or to stop bleeding or infection. Sometimes brain surgery is necessary to implant electrodes to monitor seizures. Before surgery, an incision is made in the skull, and bone is removed (usually temporarily) to provide access to the brain. After surgery, the bone is replaced, sometimes by a bone graft from the patient or another source. Brain surgery is an inpatient surgery performed under general anesthesia by a neurologist or neurosurgeon, and requires a hospital stay.

Breast reconstruction surgery is performed when a breast has been removed due to cancer or other disease. Virtually any patient who loses their breast can have it rebuilt (with artificial implants and native tissue) through reconstructive surgery, but there are risks associated with any surgery. The surgery can take place immediately following the mastectomy or can be delayed.

Breast reduction surgery is performed to reduce the size of a patient’s breasts. Many patients chose this operation to reduce back, neck and shoulder pain. Some chose this operation to make it easier to participate in sporting activities, to alleviate sleeping problems or poor posture resulting from large breasts, or to avoid unwanted attention and comments about large breasts. Often called Reduction Mammaplasty, this surgery involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the breasts, reshaping of the breasts to form smaller breasts, and repositioning of the nipples.

A bunion is a painful deformity of the bones and joint where the big toe meets the foot. Surgical removal of a bunion is usually done under general anesthesia and without a hospital stay. An incision is made along the bones of the big toe and the deformed joint and bones are repaired. A bone or joint may be removed and implants may be used.

Carotid endarterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the lining and fatty obstruction of a carotid artery that has been narrowed by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the narrowing of arteries usually due to the buildup of fatty tissue. The largest and most common clinical problems associated with atherosclerosis of a carotid artery are stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). A carotid endarterectomy restores normal blood flow to the brain, reducing stroke or TIA risk. Before surgery, the site of narrowing is located by means of an x-ray procedure called angiography.

Carpal tunnel release is a surgery performed by an orthopedic and/or hand surgeon to relieve hand and wrist pain caused by the compression of the medial nerve at the wrist. The medial nerve and the tendons are located in one wall of the carpal tunnel. The other wall holds the bones of the wrist. Most conditions are caused by wrist fracture, rheumatoid arthritis, or overuse of the wrist. The surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis using either local or general anesthesia. The surgery can be performed using an endoscope or through open surgery.

A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s natural lens that lies between the iris and the pupil. Cataract surgery is performed to remove the clouded lens and replacing the lens with a permanent implant. This implant is known as an intraocular lens implant (IOL). This surgery usually results in a return to normal vision. It is the most common surgery performed in the United States. The surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis by an ophthalmologist.

During colon resection surgery (bowel resection) the diseased part of the large intestine is removed and the two healthy ends are sewn back together (resectioned). This surgery is used to treat many conditions, such as bowel obstruction, diverticulitis, Crohn’s Disease and colon cancer. A bowel resection may be performed as a traditional "open" procedure or as a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure. The surgery is performed in a hospital setting under general anesthesia and can involve a hospital stay of up to 7 days.

Cornea transplant surgery is performed when the damaged or diseased disc-shaped area of the cornea is replaced with a healthy similar-sized area of donor cornea. Some conditions that can cause the deterioration of the eye are keratoconus, bullous keratopathy, Fuch’s dystrophy, and herpetic eye disease. Sometimes transplantation is necessary due to trauma or perforation to the cornea. Cornea transplants are one of the most frequently performed transplantation with over a 90-percent success rate. The surgery is performed by an ophthalmologist in an outpatient setting using a local anesthetic.

Coronary angioplasty is a medical procedure in which a balloon catheter is used to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels of the heart (coronary arteries). Fat and cholesterol can accumulate inside arteries, forming deposits that narrowed the arteries enough that blood to the heart is hindered. This procedure can increase the blood flow to the heart, thus decreasing chest pain and enabling the patient to return to exercise. The procedure is performed by a cardiologist and a team of specialized trained individuals at a hospital catheterization laboratory. The patient remains awake for the procedure (no anesthesia) but pain medicine may be given as needed.

Defibrillator implant surgery is performed to implant a device to help control a patient’s heart rhythm. There are two types of devices, pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Both help treat arrhythmias–irregularities in your heart’s natural heart rhythm. Almost everyone’s heart skips a beat and most are considered harmless. Some patients, however, will need medication and/or a defibrillator implant.

Ear tube placement, or tympanostomy, is a procedure to drain fluid that has built up behind a child’s eardrums to restore the normal function of the ear. This surgery performed by an otolaryngologist. The tubes ventilate the ears, which help prevent fluid from building up in the ear which can cause reoccurring ear infections, and help reduce hearing loss due to fluid trapped behind the eardrum.

Gastrectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the stomach and reconnection to the small intestine. This surgery used to treat stomach cancer, noncancerous polyps, gastric ulcers, or a hole in the stomach wall. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and usually involves a seven to ten day hospital stay. If combined with other procedures, the stay can be lengthy.

Heart bypass surgery or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a surgical procedure in which a section of a coronary artery, which has been partially or completely blocked, is bypassed by transplanting a healthy section of blood vessel around the diseased area. The conduit to route blood around the obstructed area may be an artery or a vein. There is some information that arteries may have a better long-term patency rate (chance of staying open for years) than veins. The arteries and veins used for the bypass procedure are taken from the patient's own body; they may be harvested from within the chest, the arms or the legs. This procedure is performed in a hospital under general anesthesia.

Heart valve repair surgery is performed to repair malfunctioning heart valves. Examples of these can be valves that are blocked, narrowed or leaking. There are four valves in your heart. The mitral and aortic valves are the most commonly repaired, followed by the tricuspid valve. Some procedures performed include valvuloplasty, valvotomy, valvectomy, or commissurotomy. All procedures are performed in a hospital setting by a cardiac surgeon under general anesthesia.

Heart valve surgery involves replacement or repair of diseased heart valves. Surgery may be recommended for the narrowing of the heart valve (stenosis), leaking of the heart valve (regurgitation) or prolapse (when the mitral valve flaps do not close properly). Replacement heart valves can be either natural (from human or animal donors), or artificial (metal).

Hemorrhoid surgery (also called hemorrhoidectomy) is the surgical removal of hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen or enlarged veins located inside (internal) and outside (external) the anus. They are usually caused by straining when constipated or during pregnancy. The surgery can remove large internal hemorrhoids that do not respond to non-surgical treatment and large external hemorrhoids.

Hernia repair (or Herniorrhaphy) involves surgery to correct an abnormal protrusion of an organ through the wall of the area that normally holds the organ. This can happen when the outer layers of the abdominal wall weaken, bulge or rip. Most hernia repairs can be done on an outpatient basis using either the conventional open surgery or laparoscopic.

In vitro fertilization (IF) is a method of assisted reproduction. The woman’s egg is combined with the man’s sperm in a laboratory dish, where fertilization occurs. The resulting embryo is implanted in the woman’s uterus. In vitro fertilization is the treatment of choice for a woman with blocked, severely damaged, or absent fallopian tubes. It can also be used to be used for endometriosis (formation of cells outside of the uterus) and for low sperm counts.

Knee repair surgery (also known as ACL meniscal repair) is a surgical procedure performed to fix torn ligaments and torn meniscus cartilage in the knee. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a ligament that crosses from the underside of the lower thigh bone to the upper end of the shin bone, including the kneecap. Injuries to this area are quite common as the result of sports activity. This surgery is often used to repair the area, allowing for normal range of motion and stability in the knee. ACL meniscal repairs are typically performed using arthroscopic surgery where the physician uses a camera or arthroscope inserted in small incisions in the joint. The physician is able to insert instruments through the incisions to make repairs. An orthopedic surgeon usually performs this type of surgery.

Laparoscopic gallbladder removal (also known as laparoscopic cholecystectomy) is the procedure where the gallbladder is removed using instruments inserted through small incisions in the abdomen. The procedure is performed in an operating room with the patient under general anesthesia.

A liver biopsy is a medical procedure to remove a small amount of tissue from the liver for examination. The biopsy helps diagnose a number of liver diseases or assess the stage (early, advanced) of liver disease. This is especially important in hepatitis C infection. The biopsy also helps detect: infections, cancer, unexplained enlarged liver, or abnormal liver enzymes detected by blood tests. The biopsy is performed in a hospital setting and under local anesthesia. The physician will use a needle to remove a small piece of the liver. The tissue is then sent to the laboratory for evaluation.

Lumpectomy is the surgical procedure where a cancerous lump or tumor in the breast is removed. The procedure is recommended only for those patients with less than a quarter of the breast involved.

A lung biopsy is a medical procedure where a small amount of lung tissue is removed and examined by a pathologist for any abnormalities. The procedure is used to diagnose certain lung conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lungs with fibrotic tissue), sarcoidosis (clumps of cells formed in various organs), and cancer. There are four types of lung biopsies: bronchoscope biopsy (bronchoscope insert through mouth or nose), needle biopsy (needle inserted through chest), open biopsy (through surgical incision between ribs), and video-assisted thorascopic (thorascope through incision). The first two are outpatient procedures performed by a pulmonologist under local anesthesia. The second two are in-hospital surgical procedures performed by a thoracic or general surgeon.

Mastectomy is the surgical removal of the breast for treatment of cancer. A mastectomy may involve the complete removal of the breast with or without the nipples, lymph nodes, axillary lymph nodes, or major/minor chest muscles.

A vaginal delivery is the passage of a fetus and afterbirth (placenta) from the uterus. Vaginal delivery is the standard procedure for childbirth; a cesarean section is an alternate method that is usually performed when a vaginal delivery would not be safe for mother or child. After a vaginal delivery, mother and child are usually able to leave the hospital within a few days.

Ovary removal surgery (also known as oophorectomy or ovariectomy), is the surgical removal of one or both ovaries. The surgery is performed to remove ovaries affected by cancer, to remove the source of estrogen that may stimulate some cancers, to remove large ovarian cysts, and to treat endometriosis. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and can be performed either open or laparoscopic.

A pacemaker is a small, battery-operated device implanted just under the skin near the collarbone to help the heart beat regularly at an appropriate rate. Pacemakers are about the size of a matchbox and is used to treat heart arrhythmias — irregularities in your heart’s natural heart rhythm. Almost everyone’s heart skips a beat and most are considered harmless. Some patients, however, will need medication and/or a pacemaker. A pacemaker usually has two parts: a pulse generator (which includes the battery and several electronic circuits); and a lead(s), (which is attached to the heart wall). Pacemaker surgery is performed under local anesthesia. It is implanted just near the collarbone.

Prostate removal surgery (also known as Prostatectomy) is the removal of all or part of the prostate. The prostate gland is an organ at the base of the bladder, surrounding the urethra, in men. When the gland becomes enlarged, the prostate can compress the urethra, causing problems with urination. The removal of the prostate gland can be done in different ways, depending on the size of the prostate and the cause of the enlargement. The most common prostate removal surgical procedures are: transurethral resection of the prostate, open prostatectomy, or transurethral incision of the prostate.

Rhinoplasty surgery involves repairing or reshaping the nose. Surgery may be performed to reduce or increase the size of the nose, to change the shape, to narrow the opening of the nostrils, correct a birth defect and/or injury or relieve breathing problems.

Shoulder surgery involves the repair or reconstruction of bones, tendons or muscles that help the shoulder rotate smoothly and properly. Shoulder surgery is usually performed to restore movement, stability, function and comfort following an injury. Depending on the extent of damage, repairing the shoulder could involve pins, plates, wires, a bone graft or an artificial joint implant. An orthopedic surgeon usually performs this type of surgery as either open surgery (larger incision to expose the joint) or arthroscopic surgery (where the physician uses a camera or arthroscope inserted in small incisions in the joint).

Splenectomy is the surgical removal of a diseased or damaged spleen. A splenectomy can also be performed as a treatment for some blood disorders and some cancers. A complete splenectomy removes the entire spleen, while a partial splenectomy removes only a part of the spleen. A splenectomy can be performed in conjunction with another partial organ removal, such as the pancreas. The spleen is in the uppermost area of the left side of the abdomen, just under the diaphragm. In healthy people, the spleen plays a role in immunity against bacterial infections and a reservoir for blood. A splenectomy can be performed either open or laparoscopic.

Thyroidectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the thyroid gland. A thyroidectomy can be used to correct conditions such as hypothyroidism (low thyroid function), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid function), thyroid cancer, and nontoxic goiter. The surgery is performed by a surgeon while the patient is under general anesthesia. Most patients leave the hospital in one or two days after the surgery.

Tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of the tonsils. Tonsils are glands located on both sides of the opening to the throat) that serve as protection against infections. When the tonsils become enlarged or inflamed, they can cause infections in the throat and the ear and can obstruct breathing. Enlarged adenoids (lymphatic tissue located in the back of the throat) can also obstruct breathing and can be removed at this time (called an adenoidectomy). An ear, nose and throat surgeon (ENT) performs the operation, usually in an outpatient setting.

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure where the uterus is removed through an incision in the abdomen. As part of the hysterectomy, the fallopian tubes and cervix may also be removed. Type of hysterectomies in this category include: total abdominal hysterectomy, partial hysterectomy, and radical hysterectomy. All hysterectomies are performed in a hospital setting and involve a stay of a few days.

Trans-urethral bladder surgeries are performed to repair the bladder, to place incisions or insertions for drainage, and to remove for cysts and tumors. For this surgery, a cystoscope (a tube with a small camera used to perform tests and surgeries) is inserted through the urethra into the bladder. This procedure is performed under regional or general anesthesia. No abdominal incision is necessary. After surgery, you are usually released the same day or the next day.

Tubal Ligation is a surgery where a woman’s fallopian tubes are cut and sealed. It is commonly known as “tying the tubes.” Tubal ligation permanently sterilizes a woman by preventing a egg from traveling from the ovary down to the uterus so that the male sperm cannot make contact with the egg. If the sperm and the egg cannot make contact, fertilization cannot take place and pregnancy cannot occur.

A vaginal hysterectomy is a surgical procedure where the uterus is removed through the vagina rather than an incision in the abdomen. As part of the hysterectomy, the fallopian tubes and cervix may also be removed. Types of vaginal hysterectomies include partial hysterectomy and radical hysterectomy. All hysterectomies are performed in a hospital setting and involve a stay of a few days.

A vasectomy is a surgical procedure to tie the vas deferens of a man to cause sterility by preventing the sperm from leaving the testes. The vas deferens is located in the testicle as a small tube that carries the sperm to the semen. The procedure is recommended for adult men who are certain that they wish to prevent future pregnancies (permanent sterilization). There will still be a fluid ejaculate, but no sperm will be in the fluid, so the man cannot impregnate his partner. Vasectomies are performed by an urologist in the office using a local anesthetic. There are two types of vasectomies: conventional/traditional vasectomy (involving one or two incisions) or non scalpel vasectomy (involving a small clamp).