← All procedure guides
General Surgery guides
24 plain-English, evidence-linked guides in General Surgery, with clinical review status shown on each page.
Abscess incision and drainage (Incision and drainage of a skin abscess)A small procedure to cut open a skin abscess so the trapped pus can drain out, relieving pain and helping the infection settle.Anal fissure treatment (treatment of fissure-in-ano (creams, botulinum toxin injection or lateral internal sphincterotomy))Treatment for an anal fissure — a small tear in the skin of the back passage that causes sharp pain and bleeding — ranging from creams and stool-softening measures to a botulinum toxin injection or a small operation to relax the muscle so the tear can heal.Anal fistula surgery (surgery for fistula-in-ano (fistulotomy, seton, LIFT or advancement flap))An operation to treat a fistula-in-ano — a small tunnel that has formed between the inside of the back passage and the skin near the anus — by laying it open, draining it with a thread (seton), or sealing it while trying to protect the muscles that control your bowels.Appendix removal (appendicectomy (appendectomy))An operation, usually by keyhole surgery, to remove an inflamed appendix and treat appendicitis, most often done as an emergency.Diagnostic laparoscopyA keyhole operation, under general anaesthetic, that lets a surgeon look directly inside the tummy or pelvis with a small camera to find the cause of pain or other problems, and take samples if needed.Femoral hernia repair (femoral herniorrhaphy)An operation to push back the bulge of a femoral hernia in the groin and strengthen the weak spot, usually advised soon after diagnosis because the risk of the bowel becoming trapped is higher than with other hernias.Flexible sigmoidoscopyA test that uses a thin, flexible camera to look at the lower part of the bowel (the rectum and left side of the colon) to find the cause of symptoms or check for changes such as inflammation or polyps.Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) (Cholecystectomy)Keyhole or open surgery to remove the gallbladder, usually because gallstones are causing pain or other problems.Haemorrhoid removal (haemorrhoidectomy)An operation to cut away large or troublesome piles (haemorrhoids), usually considered only when simpler treatments have not worked.Hiatus hernia repair (hiatus hernia repair with fundoplication)Keyhole surgery to pull the stomach back below the diaphragm, tighten the diaphragm opening, and usually wrap part of the stomach around the lower food pipe to reduce acid reflux from a hiatus hernia.Incisional hernia repair (incisional herniorrhaphy (ventral hernia repair))An operation to repair a hernia that has formed through the scar of a previous tummy operation, usually by closing the weak area and reinforcing it with mesh.Ingrown toenail surgery (Nail surgery for ingrown toenail (partial nail avulsion with phenol matrixectomy))A small procedure under local anaesthetic to remove part or all of a painful ingrown toenail, usually treating the nail edge so it does not regrow and dig in again.Inguinal (groin) hernia repair (Inguinal hernia repair (herniorrhaphy / hernioplasty))An operation to push a groin hernia back inside and strengthen the weak spot in the abdominal wall, usually with a mesh.Lipoma removal (surgical excision of a lipoma)A usually minor operation to remove a lipoma — a soft, harmless lump of fatty tissue under the skin — most often through a small cut under local anaesthetic, with the lump sent to the lab to confirm what it is.Lymph node biopsyA test that takes a sample, or the whole, of an enlarged lymph node (gland) so the laboratory can find out why it is swollen — for example infection, inflammation, lymphoma or spread of another cancer.Neck lump removal (Excision of neck lump)An operation to remove a lump or swelling in the neck — such as a cyst, enlarged gland or other mass — usually after tests have shown what it is or that it should be taken out.Parathyroid surgery (Parathyroidectomy)An operation to remove one or more overactive parathyroid glands in the neck, most often to treat primary hyperparathyroidism, which raises the level of calcium in the blood.Perianal abscess drainage (incision and drainage of a perianal (anorectal) abscess)A usually urgent procedure to drain a perianal abscess — a painful collection of pus near the back passage — by making a small cut to release the pus and relieve the infection.Pilonidal sinus surgery (surgery for pilonidal sinus disease (excision, primary closure, or flap repair))An operation to treat a pilonidal sinus — a small tunnel containing hair and debris in the cleft at the top of the buttocks — by draining infection or removing the sinus, sometimes closing the wound to one side to reduce the chance it comes back.Sebaceous cyst removal (excision of an epidermoid or pilar cyst (commonly called a sebaceous cyst))A minor operation to remove a skin cyst — a harmless sac under the skin, commonly called a sebaceous cyst — usually through a small cut under local anaesthetic, taking out the whole sac so it is less likely to come back.Skin lesion or mole removal (Excision of skin lesion)A small operation, usually under local anaesthetic, to remove a mole, lump or other skin lesion — sometimes to check it for cancer, sometimes because it is troublesome.Spleen removal (splenectomy) (Splenectomy)An operation to remove the spleen, usually because it is damaged, diseased, enlarged or causing a blood problem; afterwards you need lifelong steps to reduce the risk of serious infection.Thyroid surgery (thyroidectomy) (Thyroidectomy)An operation to remove part or all of the thyroid gland in the neck, used for goitre, nodules, an overactive thyroid or thyroid cancer.Umbilical hernia repair (umbilical herniorrhaphy)An operation to push back the bulge of an umbilical or paraumbilical hernia at or near the belly button and close the weak spot in the tummy wall, sometimes using a small piece of mesh.
Find a verified General Surgery consultant
Every consultant is GMC-checked and independently reviewed — never ranked by who pays.