Medical Term Definition

Surgery

Medical treatment that uses operative procedures to alter, remove, repair, reconstruct, or examine tissues or organs.

Surgery can be used to diagnose disease, remove tumors or damaged tissue, repair injuries, restore function, relieve symptoms, or treat conditions that cannot be adequately managed with nonsurgical methods.

Surgical procedures range from minimally invasive techniques to major operations and may involve local, regional, or general anesthesia.

QUICK FACT

Surgery is not synonymous with “major operation.” Some surgical procedures are relatively small or minimally invasive.

COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH

  • Procedure: a broader term that includes surgical and nonsurgical interventions.
  • Treatment: a much broader term encompassing surgery, medicines, radiation, rehabilitation, and other interventions.

SEE ALSO

Clinical & Educational Context

Discussed in Health Articles & Guides

Explore how "Surgery" is covered across our evidence-based editorial guides:

3 Articles
Medicine without Jargon

The Best Birthing Position: What Current Evidence Says

Some people see a cesarean birth as a failure of natural childbirth, while others hope to avoid surgery under all circumstances.
The Hard Parts of Medicine

Do You Need Supplements? What Medical Research Says

This is particularly important before surgery, during pregnancy, when treating a chronic condition, or when taking medicines with important interactions.
The Hard Parts of Medicine

Polypharmacy: What Really Happens When You Take Multiple Medicines

This information is particularly important before surgery, when starting a new medicine, during pregnancy, or when managing a condition in which interactions could have...