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.

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.

All lymph nodes (bean-shaped glands that filter harmful agents picked up by the lymphatic system) from the collar bone to the jaw and from the front of the neck to the back are removed, along with the sternocleidomastoid muscle (moves the head from side to side), the spinal accessory nerve (involved in speech, swallowing and some head movements), the submandibular gland (one of the salivary glands) and the internal jugular vein.

All lymph nodes (bean-shaped glands that filter harmful agents picked up by the lymphatic system) from the collar bone to the jaw and from the front of the neck to the back are removed.

A long, narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (sigmoidoscope) is inserted into your anus and moved through your lower large intestine (bowel). This allows the surgeon a view of the lining of the lower large intestine (sigmoid colon). If necessary, a biopsy (small piece of tissue) may be taken for examination in the laboratory.

A frenum is a fold of tissue that connects the lip or cheek or the gum or the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. If the attachment to the gum causes the gums to recede, it may need to be removed surgically in an operation called a frenectomy. If the attachment under the tongue restricts the movement of the tongue (“tongue tied”) it can interfere with breast feeding and speech development. A frenectomy may be performed to allow the tongue to extend further.

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 is pulled away from the body of the penis and cut off, exposing the underlying head of the penis (glans). Stitches may be required to keep the remaining edges of the foreskin in place.

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 such as cysts and tumours are removed by cutting around and under them with a scalpel.

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

A small cut is made in the scrotum and the fluid is drained from the hydrocoele sac (a fluid-filled mass that forms in the scrotum). The sac may either be removed or is folded back behind the testicle.

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.