Each year, more than 15 million people in the U.S. have surgery. There are many reasons to have surgery. Some operations can relieve or prevent pain. Others may reduce the symptoms of the problem or improve some body functions. Some activities are done to find the problem. For example, the surgeon may do a biopsy, which involves removal of tissue for examination under a microscope. Some measures, such as heart surgery can save lives.
In recent years, many advances in surgery. Not so long ago, all the operations involved cutting with a scalpel. At present, some operations are performed with a laser. Some operations that once required large incisions - the cuts in the body - can now be done using much smaller incisions.
After surgery, the risk of complications can occur, including infection, bleeding, too, reaction to anesthesia, or accidental damage. There is almost always some pain with surgery.
