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Index of Diseases and Conditions: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Surgery

Every year more than 15 million people in the U.S. have surgery. There are many reasons to have surgery. Some operations can relieve or prevent pain. Others can reduce a symptom of a problem or improve some body function. Some surgeries are done to find a problem. For example, a surgeon may do a biopsy, which involves removing a piece of tissue to examine under a microscope. Some surgeries, like heart surgery, can save your life.

In recent years there have been many advances in surgery. Not long ago, all surgeries involved cutting with a scalpel. Today, some surgeries are done with lasers. Some operations that once needed large incisions - cuts in the body - can now be done using much smaller incisions.

Any surgery carries the risk of complications, including infection, too much bleeding, reaction to anesthesia, or accidental injury. There is almost always some pain with surgery.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Surgery on Wikipedia

'''Surgery''' (from the Greek ''cheirourgia'' - lit. "hand work") is the medical specialty that treats disease or injuries by operative manual and instrumental treatment. '''Surgeons''' are physician who specialize in surgery. A '''surgery''' can also refer to the place where surgery is performed, or simply the office of a physician, dentist, or veterinarian.

History of surgery

The history of surgery dates back to at least the 3rd millennium BC in Ancient Egypt. Researchers have also uncovered a mandible, dated to approximately 2800 BC, having two perforations just below the root of the first molar, indicating the draining of an abscessed tooth. Recent excavations of the construction workers of the Egyptian pyramids also led to the discovery of evidence of brain surgery on a labourer, who continued living for two years afterwards. The Edwin Smith papyrus is the oldest known surgical text, dating back to the 1600s BC, although it contains information dating back to 3000 BC. It is an ancient Egyptian textbook on surgery, and describes in exquisite detail the examination, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of numerous ailments. Trepanation, also known as trephinning or trepanning, is an ancient form of surgery where a hole is drilled or scraped into the skull, leaving the membrane around the brain intact. It attempts to address health problems that relate to abnormal intracranial pressure, and has been found in cultures around the world. Modern surgery has been largely abandoned this practice, however. Although surgeons are now considered to be specialised physicians, the profession of surgeon and that of physician have different historical roots. For example, the Hippocratic Oath warns physicians against practicing surgery (in particular to relieve kidney stones), ...   [ Read More ]


External Resources

Developing a Female Voice - Transgender site offering effective techniques on how to train your voice to be female without surgery. Entire course available in RealAudio format.

The Voice Doctor - FAQ - Dr. Morton Cooper, specialist in voice rehabilitation and language therapy, explains what makes a healthy voice, myths and beliefs, techniques to improving your voice, and medicine and surgery.

Samuel's Spina Bifida Surgery In Utero - Miraculous photograph of a twenty-one week old fetus reaching out of his mother's womb to grasp the hand of his surgeon.

The Sputnik Surgery - Reviews and pictures of the Sputniks live in 2000.

E! Online News: George Harrison's Cancer Relapse - Report of Harrison's latest surgery to remove a cancerous growth from one of his lungs. Related links.

Doktor Rammstein's surgery - Pictures, history, webrings, and a section on the Columbine killings.

Open Harp Surgery - Nigel Feist on harmonica and Russell Groom on guitar play pubs in Kent, UK.

DJ Dr Prozak (UK) - Bios, dates, charts and pics. Free Downloads from Sound Surgery Records. Booking information available.

Script Surgery - An on-line script consultant offering services including screenplay and film script analysis.

Taub, Stanley - Sculptor whose career in plastic surgery has helped enhance his sense of beauty displayed in his award- winning sculptures.


Related Pages on HealthTales.com:

Heart Surgery
Laser Eye Surgery
Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery
Weight Loss Surgery
Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

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