Diagnostic Procedure 

Determine or confirm a diagnosis

Ex: Breast biopsy, bronchoscopy

Ablative Procedure

Remove diseased tissue, organ, or extremity

Ex: Appendectomy, amputation

Constructive Procedure

Build tissue/organs that are absent (congenitial anomalies)

Ex: repair of cleft palate

Reconstructive Procedure

Rebuild tissue/organ that has been damaged

Ex: skin graft after a burn, total joint replacement

Palliative Procedure

Alleviate symptoms of a disease (not curative)

Ex: Bowel resection in patient with terminal cancer

Transplant Procedure

Replace organs/tissue to restore function

Ex: heart, lung, liver, kidney transplant

Minor Risk

Minimal physical assault with minimal risk

Ex: removal of skin lesions, dilation and curettage (D&C), cataract extraction

Major Risk

Extensive physical assault and/or serious risk

Ex: transplant, total joint replacement, thoracotomy, colostomy, nephrectomy

Elective Surgery

Suggested, though no foreseen ill effects if postponed

Ex: cosmetic surgery, cataract surgery, bunionectomy

Urgent Surgery

Necessary to be performed within 1 to 2 days

Ex: heart bypass surgery, amputation resulting from gangrene, fractured hip

Emergency Surgery

Performed immediately

Ex: Obstetric emergencies, bowel obstruction, ruptured aneurysm, life-threatening trauma