Suffixes for Surgical Procedures

Question 1

-centesis

Answer 1

To puncture, perforate, or tap - permitting withdrawal of substances, such as fluid or air.

Example: AbdominoCENTESIS = surgical puncture of the abdomen to remove fluid from the peritoneal cavity.

Question 2

-ectomy

Answer 2

To excise or surgically remove.

Example: CholecystECTOMY = surgical removal of the gallbladder

Question 3

-ize

Answer 3

Use, subject to.

Example: AnesthetIZE = subject to anesthesia.

Question 4

-pexy

Answer 4

Fixation or suturing (a stabilizing type of repair).

Example: GastroPEXY = fixation of the stomach to the body wall.

Question 5

-plasty

Answer 5

To shape, the surgical formation of, or plastic surgery (meaning “to improve function, to relieve pain, or for cosmetic reasons”).

Example: ChelloPLASTY = plastic repair of the lips (to improve looks and function).

Question 6

-rrhaphy

Answer 6

To surgically repair by joining in a seam or by suturing together.

Example: HernioRRHAPHY = surgical repair of a hernia.

Question 7

-stomy

Answer 7

To make a new, artificial opening in a hollow organ (to the outside of the body), or to make a new opening between two hollow organs.

Examples:
ColoSTOMY = surgical creation of a new opening between the colon and the outside of the body.
GastroduodenoSTOMY = to create a new opening between the stomach and the duodenum.

Question 8

-tomy

Answer 8

To incise or cut into (making an incision).

Example: LaparoTOMY = surgical incision into the abdomen.