Treatments & procedures

Treatments and procedures explained

Clear, referenced guides to common operations and treatments — what each one is, why it is done, what happens and what recovery involves. 123 procedures and growing.

Cancer treatment

ChemotherapyChemotherapy uses powerful medicines to destroy cancer cells. It is a major cancer treatme… RadiotherapyRadiotherapy uses carefully targeted radiation to destroy cancer cells. It is a common can… MastectomyA mastectomy is an operation to remove a breast, most often to treat or prevent breast can… Radical ProstatectomyA radical prostatectomy removes the entire prostate gland to treat prostate cancer that is… Bladder Tumour RemovalBladder tumour removal (TURBT) removes tumours from the bladder lining through the urethra… Whipple ProcedureThe Whipple procedure is a major operation that removes the head of the pancreas and nearb… Skin Cancer SurgerySkin cancer surgery removes a skin cancer along with a margin of healthy tissue to make su… Brain Tumour RemovalBrain tumour removal takes out as much of a tumour as safely possible to relieve symptoms … ImmunotherapyImmunotherapy uses medicines that help the body’s own immune system recognise and attack c… Hormone TherapyHormone therapy for cancer lowers or blocks hormones that some cancers, such as many breas… Targeted TherapyTargeted therapy uses medicines that home in on specific features of cancer cells to stop … Stem Cell TransplantA stem cell transplant replaces damaged blood-forming cells with healthy ones, often after… BrachytherapyBrachytherapy places radioactive material inside or next to a tumour to deliver a high dos… LumpectomyA lumpectomy removes a breast cancer along with a margin of normal tissue, keeping most of… Lymph Node RemovalLymph node removal takes out one or more lymph nodes to check whether cancer has spread, o…

Heart procedure

Coronary Angioplasty & StentA coronary angioplasty widens a narrowed or blocked heart artery using a tiny balloon, usu… Coronary Artery BypassA coronary artery bypass creates a new route for blood to flow around narrowed or blocked … Heart Valve ReplacementHeart valve replacement replaces a diseased heart valve with an artificial one to restore … Pacemaker ImplantA pacemaker is a small device implanted under the skin to send electrical signals that kee… Defibrillator ImplantAn ICD is an implanted device that continuously monitors the heart and delivers a shock or… Catheter AblationCatheter ablation treats abnormal heart rhythms by using heat or cold through a catheter t… CardioversionCardioversion uses a controlled electric shock, or sometimes medicine, to restore a normal… TAVITAVI replaces a narrowed aortic heart valve using a catheter, without the need for open-he…

Other

Blood TransfusionA blood transfusion gives you blood (or blood components) from a donor through a drip. It … Assisted DeliveryAn assisted (instrumental) delivery uses forceps or a vacuum cup to help birth the baby du… EpisiotomyAn episiotomy is a small, controlled cut made during childbirth to enlarge the vaginal ope…

Surgery

Hip ReplacementA hip replacement is an operation to replace a worn or damaged hip joint with an artificia… Knee ReplacementA knee replacement is an operation to replace a worn knee joint with an artificial one, us… Cataract SurgeryCataract surgery replaces the eye's cloudy lens with a clear artificial one to restore vis… Appendix RemovalAn appendicectomy is an operation to remove the appendix, usually as an emergency to treat… Gallbladder RemovalGallbladder removal is a common operation, usually done by keyhole surgery, to treat painf… Hernia RepairA hernia repair is an operation to fix a hernia — where an internal part, often bowel, pus… Caesarean SectionA caesarean section is an operation to deliver a baby through a cut in the mother's abdome… TonsillectomyA tonsillectomy is an operation to remove the tonsils, usually because of repeated throat … AdenoidectomyAn adenoidectomy removes the adenoids — soft tissue high up behind the nose — usually in c… Grommet InsertionGrommets are tiny tubes placed in the eardrum to drain fluid and let air into the middle e… HysterectomyA hysterectomy is an operation to remove the womb (uterus), used for conditions such as he… ThyroidectomyA thyroidectomy removes all or part of the thyroid gland in the neck, used for goitre, ove… SplenectomyA splenectomy is an operation to remove the spleen, often after injury or for certain bloo… Bowel ResectionA bowel resection removes a diseased section of the bowel and usually rejoins the healthy … Stoma SurgeryStoma surgery creates an opening on the abdomen through which waste (stool or urine) leave… HaemorrhoidectomyA haemorrhoidectomy is an operation to remove severe or persistent haemorrhoids (piles) th… Shoulder ReplacementA shoulder replacement replaces a worn or damaged shoulder joint with an artificial one to… ACL ReconstructionACL reconstruction rebuilds a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the knee using a graft, t… Carpal Tunnel ReleaseCarpal tunnel release is a small operation to relieve pressure on the nerve at the wrist, … Spinal FusionSpinal fusion permanently joins two or more vertebrae in the spine to stop painful movemen… DiscectomyA discectomy removes part of a damaged spinal disc that is pressing on a nerve, to relieve… Bunion SurgeryBunion surgery corrects a bony bump and misalignment at the base of the big toe when it ca… Hip Fracture RepairHip fracture repair is surgery to fix or replace a broken hip, most often in older people … Trigger Finger ReleaseTrigger finger release is a small operation to free a finger or thumb that catches, clicks… Rotator Cuff RepairRotator cuff repair reattaches torn shoulder tendons to the bone to relieve pain and resto… Aortic Aneurysm RepairAortic aneurysm repair strengthens a dangerously enlarged section of the aorta to prevent … Carotid EndarterectomyCarotid endarterectomy removes fatty build-up from a narrowed neck artery to reduce the ri… Varicose Vein TreatmentVaricose vein treatment closes or removes swollen, twisted leg veins to relieve symptoms a… Laser Eye SurgeryLaser eye surgery reshapes the front of the eye (cornea) to correct short-sightedness, lon… Glaucoma SurgeryGlaucoma surgery lowers the pressure inside the eye to protect the optic nerve and prevent… Retinal Detachment SurgeryRetinal detachment surgery reattaches the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, an… Corneal TransplantA corneal transplant replaces a damaged or diseased cornea (the clear front of the eye) wi… Cochlear ImplantA cochlear implant is an electronic device surgically placed in the inner ear to give a se… SeptoplastyA septoplasty straightens the wall between the nostrils (the septum) to improve breathing … Sinus SurgerySinus surgery opens up blocked sinuses to improve drainage and airflow, usually for chroni… TympanoplastyA tympanoplasty repairs a hole or damage in the eardrum to improve hearing and reduce ear … Wisdom Tooth RemovalWisdom tooth removal takes out one or more back molars that are impacted or causing pain, … Dental ImplantA dental implant is an artificial tooth root placed in the jaw to support a replacement to… VasectomyA vasectomy is a quick, minor operation for permanent male contraception, cutting or seali… CircumcisionCircumcision removes the foreskin covering the head of the penis, done for medical reasons… Prostate Surgery (TURP)TURP removes part of an enlarged prostate through the urethra to relieve urinary symptoms,… Kidney TransplantA kidney transplant places a healthy donor kidney into a person with kidney failure, often… NephrectomyA nephrectomy removes all or part of a kidney, usually to treat kidney cancer or a badly d… Hydrocele RepairHydrocele repair removes or drains a fluid-filled swelling around a testicle when it is la… Vasectomy ReversalA vasectomy reversal reconnects the tubes that carry sperm, aiming to restore fertility af… Dilation and CurettageA dilation and curettage (D&C) opens the cervix and removes tissue from the lining of the … Endometrial AblationEndometrial ablation destroys the lining of the womb to treat heavy periods, avoiding a hy… MyomectomyA myomectomy removes fibroids from the womb while keeping the womb itself, preserving the … Ovarian Cyst RemovalOvarian cyst removal takes out a cyst from the ovary when it is large, persistent, painful… Tubal LigationTubal ligation is a permanent form of female contraception that blocks or seals the fallop… LLETZLLETZ removes abnormal cells from the cervix using a heated wire loop, to treat pre-cancer… Cervical CerclageA cervical cerclage is a stitch placed around the cervix during pregnancy to help keep it … Bariatric SurgeryBariatric (weight loss) surgery changes the stomach or digestive system to help people wit… Gastric BandA gastric band is an adjustable silicone band placed around the top of the stomach to crea… FundoplicationFundoplication is surgery to stop severe acid reflux by wrapping the top of the stomach ar… Liver TransplantA liver transplant replaces a failing liver with a healthy one from a donor, for people wi… Anal Fistula SurgeryAnal fistula surgery treats an abnormal small tunnel between the anal canal and the skin n… Hiatus Hernia RepairHiatus hernia repair fixes part of the stomach that has pushed up through the diaphragm, o… Pilonidal Sinus SurgeryPilonidal sinus surgery removes an infected pocket in the skin at the top of the buttock c… PolypectomyA polypectomy removes polyps — small growths — usually from the bowel during a colonoscopy… Skin GraftA skin graft moves healthy skin from one part of the body to cover a wound or area where s… Mole RemovalMole removal takes off a mole from the skin, either because of concern about skin cancer o… Breast ReconstructionBreast reconstruction rebuilds the shape of a breast after mastectomy, using an implant or… Breast ReductionBreast reduction removes excess breast tissue and skin to relieve the physical problems of… Abscess DrainageAbscess drainage releases pus from a painful, swollen infected pocket in the skin or body … Cyst RemovalCyst removal takes out a harmless lump under the skin, such as a sebaceous or epidermoid c… Scar RevisionScar revision improves the appearance or function of a scar that is unsightly, tight or re… Cleft Lip and Palate RepairCleft lip and palate repair are operations to close a gap in a baby’s lip or the roof of t… Skin Flap SurgeryFlap surgery moves skin, and often underlying tissue with its own blood supply, to reconst… CraniotomyA craniotomy temporarily removes part of the skull to give a surgeon access to the brain, … Shunt InsertionA shunt drains excess fluid from around the brain to another part of the body, treating a … Brain Aneurysm TreatmentBrain aneurysm treatment seals off a bulge in a blood vessel in the brain to prevent it bu… LaminectomyA laminectomy removes part of a spinal bone to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerv… Epilepsy SurgeryEpilepsy surgery removes or disconnects the small area of the brain causing seizures, for … TracheostomyA tracheostomy creates an opening in the front of the neck into the windpipe to help someo…

Therapy

DialysisDialysis is a treatment that does the job of the kidneys — filtering waste and excess flui… PhysiotherapyPhysiotherapy helps restore movement and function through exercises, hands-on treatment an… Steroid Joint InjectionA steroid joint injection delivers anti-inflammatory medicine directly into or around a jo… LithotripsyLithotripsy uses shock waves to break kidney stones into tiny pieces that can pass out in … IUD FittingAn IUD or IUS (coil) is a small device placed in the womb for long-term contraception, and… PEG Feeding TubeA PEG is a feeding tube placed through the abdominal wall into the stomach, to give nutrit… Deep Brain StimulationDeep brain stimulation implants electrodes in the brain that send electrical signals to re… Mechanical ThrombectomyMechanical thrombectomy removes a blood clot from a brain artery during a stroke, restorin… Vagus Nerve StimulationVagus nerve stimulation implants a device that sends regular electrical pulses to a nerve … Spinal Cord StimulatorA spinal cord stimulator is an implanted device that sends mild electrical pulses to the s… CryotherapyCryotherapy uses extreme cold to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue, such as warts, skin l… Radiofrequency AblationRadiofrequency ablation uses heat from radio waves to destroy small areas of tissue, such … Palliative CarePalliative care focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life for people wit… Chest DrainA chest drain is a tube placed between the ribs to remove air, fluid or blood from around … Mechanical VentilationMechanical ventilation uses a machine to help or take over a person’s breathing when they … Oxygen TherapyOxygen therapy gives extra oxygen to breathe when the level in the blood is too low, throu… Cardiopulmonary ResuscitationCPR is an emergency procedure of chest compressions and rescue breaths to keep blood and o… Central Venous CatheterA central line is a thin tube placed into a large vein to give medicines, fluids or nutrit… Urinary CatheterisationA urinary catheter is a thin tube passed into the bladder to drain urine when someone cann… Nerve BlockA nerve block injects local anaesthetic (and sometimes steroid) around a nerve to numb an … PleurodesisPleurodesis seals the space around the lung to stop fluid or air building up repeatedly, f… Nasogastric TubeA nasogastric (NG) tube passes through the nose into the stomach to give feed and medicine…

See also

Tests & investigations · First aid & emergencies · Conditions A–Z · Anatomy · Medicines

Before you agree to anything

The questions worth asking about any procedure

Consent is not a signature on a form — it is a conversation you are entitled to have, and you can change your mind at any point up to the moment a procedure starts. If a decision feels rushed, saying "I would like to think about it" is always a legitimate answer.

  1. What happens if I do nothing? Doing nothing, or waiting and watching, is a real option with its own risks and benefits and should be offered alongside the others. For many conditions it is the right first choice.
  2. What are the realistic benefits, and how likely are they? Ask for numbers rather than adjectives — how many people in a hundred are better after this, and better by how much.
  3. What are the common risks, and what are the serious ones? These are different questions. Common complications are usually minor; serious ones are usually rare. You want both.
  4. What does recovery actually involve? Time off work, driving, lifting, stitches, follow-up, physiotherapy, and how long before you feel like yourself.
  5. Who will be doing it, and how often do they do it? A reasonable question, asked routinely, and not an insult.

Terms that come up in these conversations — informed consent, elective, conservative management, watchful waiting, shared decision-making — are defined in our glossary.

What these guides cover

From day-case to major surgery, in the same shape

The guides here span the range: small day-case operations you go home from within hours, keyhole procedures done through a few small cuts, open surgery needing a hospital stay, and non-surgical treatments such as dialysis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and physiotherapy. Each explains what the procedure is for, how it is done, what anaesthetic is usually involved, what recovery typically looks like and which complications matter enough to seek help for.

Most planned procedures are preceded by a pre-operative assessment that checks you are fit, reviews your medicines — some, particularly anticoagulants and insulin, need a plan around the day — and confirms fasting instructions. If a procedure is part of managing a condition, the relevant condition guide sets out where it fits, and the tests section covers the investigations that usually come first.

Reference only. Techniques, recovery times and local pathways vary between hospitals and surgeons. Your own team's instructions always take precedence over anything written here, and this page is not a substitute for the consent discussion.

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