What you need to know about your operation or test
This information can help you decide whether an operation or test is right for you. You can find out how it is done, how it can help, what the risks are, and what happens afterwards.
We have weighed up evidence from hundreds of studies on operations and tests to find out how well they work and what can go wrong. If the operation or test you are looking for is not on the list below, try looking in the section on conditions and treatments.
Operations and tests
Having an abortion
Drugs or surgery can be used to end a pregnancy.Adenoidectomy
This is an operation to remove the adenoids.Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy)
This is an operation for breast cancer that lets you keep your breast.Bronchoscopy
This is a test to look for disease inside your lungs.Bunion surgery
This is an operation to remove your bunion and straighten your big toe joint.Cataract surgery
This operation replaces the cloudy lens in your eye with an artificial clear lens.Circumcision for a tight foreskin
This is an operation to remove the foreskin of the penis.Colonoscopy
This is a test to look for disease inside your bowel.Coronary angioplasty
In this operation a doctor will use a tiny balloon to stretch a narrowed blood vessel in your heart.Coronary artery bypass
This operation improves the blood flow to your heart. Damaged blood vessels are replaced with healthy ones from another part of your body.Having a defibrillator fitted
A defibrillator is a device that can be put in your chest to help your heart beat normally.Endometrial ablation (diathermy)
This is when your womb lining is removed using heat from electrical currents.Endometrial ablation (microwave)
This is when your womb lining is burnt away using heat from microwaves.Gastroscopy
This is a test to look for disease in and around your stomach.Grommets
Grommets are small tubes that are put inside children's ears to treat a problem called glue ear.Hip replacement
This is an operation to give you an artificial hip.Hysterectomy
An operation to remove your womb.Inguinal hernia repair
This operation repairs a hernia in your groin.Knee replacement
This information tells you what to expect when you have an operation to replace your knee.Tonsillectomy
This is an operation to remove the tonsils.Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
This is an operation to cut away part of an enlarged prostate.Surgery to remove varicose veins
This is an operation to make your legs look better and help with tired or aching legs.Removing wisdom teeth
If your wisdom teeth are causing problems you can have them taken out.