The 10 Most Common Surgical Procedures

Did you know that there are over 8,000 different medical procedures that can be performed in the US? Some of these procedures can vary depending on the person’s age, sex, or health. What are some of the most common surgical procedures? Learn more in this blog article!

1. Cataract Removal

Cataract surgery is a common procedure to restore vision. Over time, the natural lens in your eye can become cloudy and less effective at transmitting light to your retina. This can lead to gradual vision loss and eventually blindness.

Cataract surgery is a simple, safe operation that can fix your vision. There are several types of cataract surgery available, and each has its benefits and drawbacks.

The most common type is cataract extraction. It involves using a special tool called an excimer laser to break the lens into small pieces and remove it from your eye. Other types of cataract surgery include cataract removals by incision (open surgery) or laser perforation (closed surgery).

2. C-section

C-section, or Cesarean Section, is the most common surgical procedure in the world. It’s estimated that one in every five births is performed via C-section.

A C-section is major surgery and should only be considered if there is a medical reason why it’s needed. Some common reasons for a C-section include: if the mother’s health is in danger due to her pregnancy; if the baby is too big for the birth canal; or if there are complications during labour.

3. Joint Replacement

Joint replacement is a common surgical procedure that restores function to a joint by replacing the damaged or worn parts of the joint. Joint replacement surgery can be done on both the human and veterinary sides.

The most common joints replaced in humans are the hip, knee, and shoulder. Many veterinary surgeries, such as surgery to remove a tumour or repair an injury to a leg, also involve joint replacement.

4. Circumcision

There are many different types of surgery that can be performed on the penis, but circumcision is the most common. Circumcision is a surgical procedure that removes the foreskin (the fold of skin at the end of the penis) from the penis.

The benefits of circumcision include reducing the risk of HPV infection, penile cancer, and other sexually transmitted infections. There are several types of circumcision procedures. These include simple snip, Plastibell surgery, and e-collars.

5. Broken Bone Repair

Many surgical procedures can be used to repair a broken bone. The most common are fixation and casting.

Fixation is when the bone is fixed in place using metal rods or screws. Casting is when the broken bone is made into a mould, and then a duplicate of the bone is made from this mould.

There are also other procedures that you can use. One is plating. It is where small pieces of metal are put over the fracture to hold it together.

Another is intramedullary nailing. It is where a long, thin nail is driven through the centre of the bone and into the surrounding tissue. Lastly, there are osteochondral autografts (pieces of dead bone).

6. Angioplasty and Atherectomy

Angioplasty and Atherectomy are two common surgical procedures that are used to correct heart problems. Angioplasty is a procedure in which a catheter is inserted into an artery to open it up and allow blood to flow more freely. Atherectomy is a procedure in which an incision is made in the chest wall and the underlying fatty tissue is removed.

7. Stent Procedure

A stent is a small, tubular device used to prop open an artery or vein. A stent may be inserted into the artery or vein using a catheter, and then the stent is left in place until it becomes dislodged.

If the artery is blocked, the stent will help to open up the artery and reduce blood pressure. If the vein is blocked, the stent will help to keep the vein open so that blood can flow freely.

8. Hysterectomy

The most common surgical procedures are hysterectomies, which are surgeries to remove the uterus. A hysterectomy is a surgery that can be done in many different ways, but the most common is through an incision in the lower stomach.

There are many benefits to having a hysterectomy. These include reduced risk of ovarian cancer, decreased risk of endometrial cancer, fewer menstrual cycles, easier childbirth, and less pain during sex.

However, there are also risks associated with having a hysterectomy, including infection, bleeding complications, and increased risk for osteoporosis. If you are considering having a hysterectomy, your doctor will discuss all of the benefits and risks with you before making any decisions.

9. Gallbladder Removal

Gallbladder removal is one of the more common surgical procedures performed in the United States. The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located near the liver on the right side of the body. The gallbladder helps to break down food and store bile, which is used to digest fat.

Gallbladder removal typically involves removing the gallbladder through a small incision in the side of the abdomen. After surgery, patients may experience mild pain and swelling, as well as difficulty swallowing or eating solid foods. Most people fully recover within a few weeks, but some people may experience short-term pain or discomfort following surgery.

10. Heart Bypass Surgery

Heart bypass surgery is a procedure that helps to improve the flow of blood through the heart. This can help to reduce the amount of stress on the heart and can improve overall heart health.

There are different types of heart bypass surgery, but the most common is called a left anterior descending (LAD) bypass. This type of surgery will remove part of the left ventricle (the lower part of the heart) and replace it with a small artificial ventricle. The goal of this surgery is to improve blood flow through the heart, while also reducing the risk of a repeat heart attack.