Surgery, as defined by the American Medical Association, is the
treatment of disease, injury, or other disorders by direct physical intervention, usually with instruments. Surgery involves the cutting into the skin or other organ to accomplish any of the following goals:
- further explore the condition for the purpose of diagnosis
- take a biopsy of a suspicious lump
- remove diseased tissues or organs
- remove an obstruction
- reposition structures to their normal position
- redirect channels
- transplant tissue or whole organs
- implant mechanical or electronic devices
- improve physical appearance
- repair an area that has been injured or affected by trauma, overuse, or disease
- restore proper function
- relieve pain
Many Americans face surgery every year, both elective and in cases of emergency.
When facing surgery, patients should expect to go through several phases:
- surgical diagnosis
Surgical diagnosis is made after medical tests and evaluations reveal a condition requiring surgery.
- preoperative management
The preoperative management phase begins from the time surgery is decided to the point when the patient is brought to the operating room.
- intraoperative care
The intraoperative care phase lasts from the time the patient enters the operating room to when the patient goes to the recovery room.
- postoperative management
The postoperative management phase lasts from entry to the recovery room until follow-up clinical evaluation.