General & Abdominal Surgery

Operations of general and abdominal surgery: appendix, gallbladder and hernia operations, bowel and thyroid surgery, breast operations, stoma formation and weight-loss surgery — what each operation involves, how to prepare, and what recovery usually looks like.

This page lists all 21 of them in the guide. Open any procedure for preparation, step-by-step what happens, recovery advice and frequently asked questions.

AdrenalectomyGeneral Surgery

Appendicectomy (appendix removal)General Surgery

Bariatric surgery (gastric bypass / sleeve gastrectomy)General Surgery

Carpal tunnel releaseGeneral Surgery

Colectomy (bowel resection)General Surgery

Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy)General Surgery

Haemorrhoid surgery (haemorrhoidectomy)General Surgery

Hernia repair (inguinal)General Surgery

Laparoscopic fundoplication (anti-reflux surgery)General Surgery

Lumpectomy (breast-conserving surgery)General Surgery

Lymph node biopsy / excisionGeneral Surgery

MastectomyGeneral Surgery

Open abdominal surgery (laparotomy)General Surgery

ParathyroidectomyGeneral Surgery

Pilonidal sinus surgeryGeneral Surgery

Rectal surgery / anterior resectionGeneral Surgery

Skin lesion excisionGeneral Surgery

SplenectomyGeneral Surgery

Stoma formation (colostomy / ileostomy)General Surgery

Thyroidectomy (thyroid removal)General Surgery

Varicose vein proceduresGeneral Surgery

Procedure / test	Category	What it is
Adrenalectomy	General Surgery	An adrenalectomy removes one (rarely both) of the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys and produce hormones such as adrenaline, cortisol and aldosterone. It is usually keyhole surgery, through the abdomen or the back.
Appendicectomy (appendix removal)	General Surgery	An appendicectomy is an operation to remove the appendix, usually because it is inflamed (appendicitis). It is most often done as keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery through three small cuts, sometimes as open surgery through a larger cut.
Bariatric surgery (gastric bypass / sleeve gastrectomy)	General Surgery	Bariatric surgery changes the stomach (and sometimes the bowel) to help people with severe obesity lose substantial weight and improve related conditions such as type 2 diabetes. The main operations are sleeve gastrectomy (removing most of the stomach, leaving a narrow tube) and gastric bypass (creating a small pouch joined directly to the small bowel).
Carpal tunnel release	General Surgery	Carpal tunnel release is a short operation that divides the tight ligament forming the roof of the carpal tunnel in the wrist, giving the compressed median nerve more room.
Colectomy (bowel resection)	General Surgery	A colectomy removes a section of the large bowel (colon), with the remaining ends joined together (anastomosis) or, in some situations, brought out as a stoma. It is done by open or keyhole surgery.
Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy)	General Surgery	Cholecystectomy is removal of the gallbladder, usually by keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery through four small cuts. The gallbladder stores bile; after removal, bile flows directly from the liver into the bowel.
Haemorrhoid surgery (haemorrhoidectomy)	General Surgery	Haemorrhoidectomy is an operation to remove enlarged haemorrhoids (piles) that protrude, bleed or cause symptoms not controlled by simpler treatments such as banding or medicines.
Hernia repair (inguinal)	General Surgery	An inguinal hernia repair pushes the bulge in the groin back into place and strengthens the weakened abdominal wall, usually with a mesh patch. It can be done as open surgery or keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery.
Laparoscopic fundoplication (anti-reflux surgery)	General Surgery	Fundoplication is keyhole surgery for reflux in which the upper part of the stomach is wrapped around the lower gullet to strengthen the valve that keeps acid out of the gullet. The commonest version is a full (Nissen) wrap; partial wraps are also used.
Lumpectomy (breast-conserving surgery)	General Surgery	A lumpectomy (wide local excision) removes a breast cancer together with a margin of healthy tissue, preserving the rest of the breast. It is usually followed by radiotherapy, and outcomes for suitable cancers are equivalent to mastectomy.
Lymph node biopsy / excision	General Surgery	A lymph node biopsy removes part or all of an enlarged lymph node so it can be examined under the microscope. Excision of the whole node gives the laboratory the most complete information, especially when lymphoma is a possibility.
Mastectomy	General Surgery	A mastectomy is an operation to remove all of the breast tissue on one or both sides. Variants include skin-sparing and nipple-sparing techniques, and it is often combined with removal of some lymph nodes from the armpit and, where chosen, immediate reconstruction.
Open abdominal surgery (laparotomy)	General Surgery	A laparotomy is an operation through a larger cut in the abdomen (often vertical, in the midline) that allows the surgeon direct access to the abdominal organs. It may be planned (for major surgery) or emergency (exploratory laparotomy, when the diagnosis must be found and treated at once).
Parathyroidectomy	General Surgery	A parathyroidectomy removes one or more overactive parathyroid glands — tiny glands behind the thyroid that control blood calcium. Removing the abnormal gland(s) cures most cases of primary hyperparathyroidism.
Pilonidal sinus surgery	General Surgery	Pilonidal surgery treats a pilonidal sinus — a small tunnel or pit in the skin at the top of the buttock crease that traps hair and debris and repeatedly becomes infected or forms abscesses.
Rectal surgery / anterior resection	General Surgery	Anterior resection removes the diseased part of the rectum (and sometimes the lower colon) for cancer or other disease, joining the remaining bowel to the top of the anal canal. A temporary stoma is often made to protect the join while it heals.
Skin lesion excision	General Surgery	Excision of a skin lesion removes a mole, lump or area of changed skin under local anaesthetic, together with a small margin of normal skin. The tissue is sent to the laboratory for examination.
Splenectomy	General Surgery	A splenectomy is removal of the spleen, an organ under the left ribs that filters blood and supports immunity. It is commonly done by keyhole surgery unless the spleen is very enlarged or it is an emergency after injury.
Stoma formation (colostomy / ileostomy)	General Surgery	A stoma is an opening made during surgery that brings a section of bowel onto the skin of the abdomen, where waste passes into a fitted bag. A colostomy uses the large bowel; an ileostomy uses the small bowel. Stomas may be temporary or permanent.
Thyroidectomy (thyroid removal)	General Surgery	A thyroidectomy removes part (lobectomy) or all (total thyroidectomy) of the thyroid gland in the front of the neck, through a cut in a natural skin crease.
Varicose vein procedures	General Surgery	Modern varicose vein treatment usually closes the faulty vein from inside rather than removing it: endothermal ablation uses heat (laser or radiofrequency) through a fine catheter, foam sclerotherapy uses an injected foam, and some veins are removed through tiny incisions (phlebectomies). Open surgery (ligation and stripping) is now less common.

Please note: This page is educational information about a medical procedure or test. It does not replace the instructions of your own care team, who know your situation and whose preparation, fasting and medication advice you should follow if it differs from anything here. If you have symptoms that worry you, or an appointment you do not understand, contact your clinical team.

General & Abdominal Surgery

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