Surgery

If physical symptoms do not decrease with rest and/or treatment, it may be decided to perform an operation. Operations are surgical procedures aimed at resolving a medical problem or reducing physical symptoms. Operations can also be used to make a diagnosis, for example during keyhole surgery.

An operation is an invasive procedure. This means that tissues, implants and/or organs are opened, altered, implanted or removed with medical instruments. Operations normally take place in the operating theatre. These are in the hospital or in a clinic. The operation is performed by a medical team of surgeons, an anaesthetist and operating assistants.