Laparoscopic: several small incisions (cuts) are made in the lower right abdomen (stomach) and a narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) in inserted. This allows the surgeon a view of the appendix and, by inserting small surgical instruments through the other cuts, the appendix can be removed. Open: an incision is made in the lower right abdomen and the appendix removed.

The foreskin (flap of skin that covers the tip of the penis) may be removed for cultural, religious or medical reasons.

A fold of tissue (frenum) that attaches to the cheek, lips and/or tongue is surgically removed.

Umbilical Hernia An incision (cut) is made underneath the navel (tummy button) and the hernia (part of the intestine that is bulging through the abdominal wall) is pushed back into the abdominal cavity. The weakness in the abdominal wall is repaired. Inguinal Hernia An abdominal incision is made and the hernia is pushed back into position. The weakness in the abdominal wall is repaired. Herniotomy: an incision is made in a skin fold in the groin and the hernia sac is cut out. Herniotomy An incision is made in a skin fold in the groin and the hernia sac is cut out.

A hydrocoele is a fluid-filled mass that forms in the scrotum. In many cases it will disappear by itself, but sometimes surgery is required to drain the fluid out.

A minor surgical procedure is performed to widen the urinary meatus or opening (where the urine exits the body).

A small incision (cut) is made in the groin on the side of the undescended testicle and the testicle pulled down into the scrotum. Sometimes a small cut will need to be made in the scrotum as well.

Shave Biopsy: the top layers of skin in the area being investigated are shaved off with a scalpel (surgical knife) for investigation under a microscope. Punch Biopsy: a small cylindrical core of tissue is taken from the area being investigated for examination under a microscope. Excision Biopsy: all of the lesion or area being investigated is cut out with a scalpel for examination under a microscope. Incision Biopsy: part of the lesion is cut out with a scalpel for examination under a microscope.

Skin lesions can be divided into two groups: Benign (non-cancerous): e.g. moles, cysts, warts, tags. These may be removed to prevent spreading (warts), stop discomfort if the lesion is being irritated by clothing/jewellery or to improve appearance. Malignant (cancerous): basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are generally slow growing and unlikely to spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma is a serious skin cancer that can spread to other parts of the body. Urgent removal is recommended. Surgery to remove skin lesions usually involves an office or outpatient visit, local anaesthesia (the area around the scar is numbed by injecting a local anaesthetic) and stitches. You may or may not have a dressing put on the wound and it is important to keep the area dry for 24 hours. Stitches may be removed in 1-2 weeks. You may need to take a few days off work after the surgery.

A small cut is made in the scrotum, the cord supplying blood to the testicle is untwisted and both testes are sutured (stitched) to the scrotum to prevent another torsion.

Gastroscopy allows examination of the upper part of the digestive tract i.e. oesophagus (food pipe), stomach and duodenum (top section of the small intestine), by passing a gastroscope (long, flexible tube with a camera on the end) through the mouth and down the digestive tract. Images from the camera are displayed on a television monitor. Sometimes a small tissue sample (biopsy) will need to be taken during the procedure for later examination at a laboratory. Gastroscopy may be used to diagnose peptic ulcers, tumours, gastritis etc.

Scar appearance can be improved by various methods including a surgical procedure known as scar revision. This usually involves cutting out the old scar, closing the wound with stitches and, in some cases, moving the scar so that it is hidden by natural features of the body. Scar revision is usually performed under local anaesthesia (the area around the scar is numbed by injecting a local anaesthetic).