What is surgery?

Demystifying Surgery: It's Not Just for Television Drama

When my little Harper came running to me, all excited after watching an episode of a medical drama and asked, "Dad, what is surgery exactly?", I realized the need for a comprehensive yet simple understanding of this complex medical procedure. As a blogger and curious father, I thought, why not help more than just Harper to understand? Based on this event, I decided to write this article, diving deep into the fascinating world of surgery.

Even though most of us are aware of surgery, when it comes to truly understanding it, the waters may seem murky. It's more than just a surgeon in green scrubs performing miraculous procedures under intense lights. So, grab some popcorn (or maybe a healthier snack), get comfy with your pet on your lap (I prefer my cat, Whiskers - a pretty good reader's companion) and let's embark on this written adventure.

Untangling the Knot: The Fundamental Definition of Surgery

Surgery derives its name from the Greek word 'cheirourgia', meaning "hand work". It essentially involves the physicians, known as surgeons, performing procedures to investigate or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, by opening the body and manipulating the disease-infected structures. This customary definition, though useful, barely scratches the surface of this multi-faceted medical discipline.

Understanding surgery requires knowing its history and analyzing its effects on the human body. A time-travel, if you will, from stone age trepanation to the incredibly precise robotic surgeries of today. It's quite an adventure - hang on tight, because I am not a professionally trained driver.

Journey in Time: The Historical Development of Surgery

Surgery is an ancient art, dating back to the Neolithic period. It might surprise you (it surprised my Harper, definitely!) to know that some of the first surgeries were quite brutal - like trepanation, the art of drilling a hole in the skull to treat brain diseases. Imagine doing that without anesthetics! And you thought your dentist's drill was horrifying. Over centuries, with the development of anesthetics, antisepsis, and more precise tools, we've come a long way from such gory beginnings.

Following our path down memory lane, let's not forget another revolutionary moment - the discovery of penicillin. Fast-forwarding to the 20th and 21st centuries, the remarkable growth in technology has seen the introduction of minimally invasive surgery, laser-based procedures, and even robotic-assisted surgery. Surgery, as a discipline, has kept evolving, standing proudly on the cutting edge - pun very much intended - of medical science.

More Than a Single Category: Different Types of Surgeries

If you thought all surgeries were the same, allow me to burst that bubble. Surgeries can be categorized based on several factors, such as the urgency, purpose, degree of invasiveness, and the body part in consideration. So basically, there are as many types of surgeries as there are episodes of ‘Friends’ - and then some! The most common categories include elective surgery, emergency surgery, cosmetic surgery, palliative surgery, exploratory surgery, amputation, resection, and transplantation.

These categories cover a wide range of procedures. From a facelift procedure to make you look younger (hey, we all want to look good for Instagram) to a vital organ transplantation that could save a life, surgery covers a broad spectrum. So, next time you watch a medical drama, you'd be able to tell a 'Cranial Burr Hole' from an 'Abdominoplasty'. You’re welcome!

Prep Work and Aftermath: Pre and Post Surgical Care

Anyone who's had surgery or known someone who has, understands that the operation itself is just part of the entire process. It's like the main event but there's a pre-party and after-party to attend too. No party hats at this one, unfortunately. Preoperative care includes tests to confirm the necessity of the procedure, understanding the patient's health history, and preparing the patient both physically and mentally. It goes beyond just fasting for 12 hours, folks!

Similarly, postoperative care begins right after the surgery and includes monitoring the patient's health status and managing pain (no, you can't just walk off a newly attached limb). Follow-up visits, physiotherapy, wound care, medication, and sometimes, psychological help is needed to ensure a full recovery. It isn’t just a swipe-left kind of deal.

The Fear Factor: How Major is Anesthesia?

A major part of the surgery experience is anesthesia. Even just hearing this word could make your heart rate replicate a techno beat, but hang in there. Anesthesia is a multidisciplinary approach primarily aimed at relieving pain, controlling other sensations and minimising the physiological responses to surgery. To simplify, it's everything that lets you sleep rather comfortably while a surgeon does a rendition of Picasso inside your body. Now that’s something not even my Whiskers could sleep through!

There are three types of anesthesia - local, regional, and general - each differing in the area they numb and their effects on your body. But hey, no need to fear. Anesthesia has evolved so far from its crude roots (they used to knock people out with a mallet, guys), that complications are minimal. Procedures are conducted by specialized doctors called anesthesiologists, so you’re basically in good hands (or good gases).

The Game Changer: Minimally Invasive Surgeries

One of the most exciting advancements in the world of surgery is minimally invasive procedures. Picture this: getting a complex operation done, with no major cuts, less pain, quicker recovery, and hey, even less scars to show off! It makes surgery sounds like a walk in the park (well, almost).

This method employs tiny incisions to access the internal organs, using tools such as endoscopes that carry a light and a camera for visualization. This allows the surgeon to perform the procedure without swinging a scalpel like a swashbuckler. In my sporty days, I had a knee arthroscopy due to a sports injury – a minimally invasive surgery - and was back on my feet (literally) within no time. So, I can vouch for this one!

Well, that was quite a journey, wasn't it? Now, the next time someone brings up surgery in conversation, or the next time Harper comes running asking about a surgery she saw on TV, you can give her a run for her money. Remember, Whiskers and I are always here for your queries. Until next time, this has been an educational and thrilling exploration of the world of surgery.