3. Surgery Purposes

what are the types of surgery by purpose?

• diagnostic

• ablative

• palliative

• constructive

• reconstructive

• transplantation

what is diagnostic surgery by purpose?

to make or confirm a diagnosis

what is ablative surgery by purpose?

to remove a diseased body part

• ex: mastectomy

what is palliative surgery by purpose?

to relieve or reduce the intensity of an illness

• ex: debridement

what is constructive surgery by purpose?

to restore function in congenital anomalies (born with it)

• ex: cleft lip

what is reconstructive surgery by purpose?

• restores function to traumatized or malfunctioning tissue

• or improves self-concept

• ex: mastectomy recon surgery

what is transplantation surgery by purpose?

to replace organs or structures that are diseased or malfunctioning

• liver/kidney transplant

what patient situations are listed as needing special perioperative considerations?

• gerontologic patients

• obese patients

• disabled patients

• ambulatory surgery (outpatient surgery/going home early postoperative)

• emergency surgery

how can being gerontologic affect perioperative risk?

• higher chance of comorbidities that increase complications

• possible sensory deficits

• decreased subcutaneous fat increases risk of hypothermia

what is a key perioperative consideration for patients with obesity?

positioning may need to be adjusted (may need a specific position)

what does ambulatory surgery mean?

outpatient surgery

• patient goes home the same day or earlier in the postop period

what is an important point about perioperative care for emergency surgery?

often lifesaving and traumatic

• assess beyond what’s obvious (ex: possible internal bleeding)