Diagnostic surgery
Diagnostic surgery is a type of procedure performed to find out the cause of a medical problem when other tests (like blood tests, X-rays, or scans) are not enough to confirm the diagnosis. It helps doctors directly examine tissues, organs, or internal structures.
🔹 Purpose:
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To confirm or rule out a disease.
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To identify the exact location, stage, or severity of a condition.
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To guide further treatment plans.
🔹 Common Examples:
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Biopsy – Removing a small piece of tissue (e.g., breast, liver, or skin biopsy).
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Endoscopy / Colonoscopy – Using a scope to look inside organs and sometimes collect samples.
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Exploratory Laparotomy – Opening the abdomen to check for causes of pain, tumors, or internal bleeding.
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Arthroscopy – Looking inside joints like knee or shoulder.
🔹 Benefits:
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Provides accurate diagnosis.
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Helps detect diseases early (like cancer).
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Reduces guesswork in treatment.