The indication
Clarify the problem the procedure addresses and the benefit sought in your circumstances.
Ask your professionalWhat are we aiming to achieve for me?
Published catalogue
Understand medical procedures
Move from a major medical family to a specialty, then to the clinical branch that helps you understand each intervention in context.
Medical procedures
Explore progressively by family, specialty and clinical branch — or use search and the alphabet for direct access.
Starting point · Vision & dermatology
Matching procedures
36 procedures
Dermatology · Biopsies and benign skin surgerySkin biopsyA skin biopsy removes a small tissue sample for laboratory examination; technique and wound care depend on the lesion and site. This page explains the questions to ask and the continuity of care to plan.Dermatology · Destructive, light and laser proceduresCryotherapyDermatologic cryotherapy uses controlled freezing to destroy selected superficial tissue; response varies with lesion type and depth. This page explains the questions to ask and the continuity of care to plan.Dermatology · Destructive, light and laser proceduresPhototherapyMedical phototherapy delivers controlled ultraviolet light for selected skin diseases according to a prescribed schedule and cumulative exposure. This page explains the questions to ask and the continuity of care to plan.Dermatology · Biopsies and benign skin surgerySkin lesion excisionSkin lesion excision removes a selected lesion with a planned margin and sends tissue for laboratory examination when appropriate; closure depends on size and site. This page explains the questions to ask and the continuity of care to plan.Dermatology · Biopsies and benign skin surgerySurgery for a skin cyst, lipoma or abscessSurgery for a cyst, lipoma or abscess may involve complete excision or incision and drainage; active infection and definitive removal are different pathways. This page explains the questions to ask and the continuity of care to plan.Dermatology · Skin cancer surgery and reconstructionMohs micrographic surgeryMohs surgery removes a skin cancer in stages and examines the complete surgical margin microscopically during the procedure before reconstruction is planned. This page explains the questions to ask and the continuity of care to plan.Dermatology · Skin cancer surgery and reconstructionWide local excision for melanomaWide local excision removes the melanoma scar or site with a planned surrounding margin; sentinel-node surgery, when discussed, is a separate staging procedure. This page explains the questions to ask and the continuity of care to plan.Dermatology · Skin cancer surgery and reconstructionSkin graft or local flap reconstructionA skin graft transfers skin without its own blood supply, while a local flap moves neighbouring tissue with circulation preserved; wound size, site and function guide reconstruction. This page explains the questions to ask and the continuity of care to plan.Dermatology · Destructive, light and laser proceduresCurettage and electrosurgeryCurettage scrapes selected superficial tissue and electrosurgery controls or destroys residual tissue; suitability and the need for pathology vary by lesion. This page explains the questions to ask and the continuity of care to plan.Dermatology · Nail, scar and inflammatory surgeryNail surgeryNail surgery may remove part or all of a nail, treat the growth matrix or biopsy a lesion; permanent nail change and laboratory analysis may be relevant. This page explains the questions to ask and the continuity of care to plan.Dermatology · Nail, scar and inflammatory surgeryScar or keloid surgeryScar revision repositions or reshapes scar tissue, while keloid excision removes an overgrowing scar that can recur; additional non-surgical care may be discussed. This page explains the questions to ask and the continuity of care to plan.Dermatology · Nail, scar and inflammatory surgeryHidradenitis suppurativa surgeryHidradenitis surgery ranges from limited deroofing to wider excision of chronically affected skin; wound closure, healing time and ongoing disease care differ. This page explains the questions to ask and the continuity of care to plan.Dermatology · Destructive, light and laser proceduresDermatological laser surgeryDermatological lasers deliver selected wavelengths for vascular, pigment, scar, hair or resurfacing targets; laser type, skin response and eye protection are procedure-specific. This page explains the questions to ask and the continuity of care to plan.Ophthalmology · Lens and refractive surgeryCataract surgeryCataract surgery removes the cloudy natural lens and replaces it with an intraocular lens selected through preoperative measurements. This page explains the questions to ask and the continuity of care to plan.Ophthalmology · Cornea and ocular surfaceCorneal transplantCorneal transplantation replaces all or selected layers of diseased cornea with donor tissue; technique depends on the affected layer. This page explains the questions to ask and the continuity of care to plan.Ophthalmology · Retina and vitreousRetinal surgeryRetinal surgery covers several techniques chosen according to the retinal condition, including vitrectomy, laser, gas, oil or scleral support. This page explains the questions to ask and the continuity of care to plan.Ophthalmology · Lens and refractive surgerySecondary intraocular lens surgerySecondary intraocular lens surgery places, repositions or exchanges an implant when capsular support or a previous lens result requires a different plan. This page explains the questions to ask and the continuity of care to plan.Ophthalmology · Lens and refractive surgeryYAG laser capsulotomyYAG capsulotomy uses a focused laser to open a clouded posterior lens capsule after cataract surgery; it is not another cataract extraction. This page explains the questions to ask and the continuity of care to plan.
Before deciding
Understand a procedure before considering it
A procedure page helps you understand an intervention. Its suitability for you is discussed with a professional, considering your circumstances, the options and what matters in your life.
Understand the purpose. Explore the options. Prepare what comes next.
The alternatives
Consider other options and the possible consequences of waiting or having no intervention.
Ask your professionalWhat other possibilities should we discuss?
Preparation
Share your medicines and medical history. Clarify the tests and instructions appropriate to the planned procedure.
Ask your professionalWhat individual instructions should I receive before my appointment?
What happens
Ask about the steps, the team and, where relevant, the anaesthesia.
Ask your professionalWhat will actually happen during the procedure?
Aftercare and recovery
Plan support at home, appointments and the return to activities with your care team.
Ask your professionalWhat follow-up should be arranged after discharge?
Risks and complications
Ask about risks relevant to you, uncertainties and what to do if difficulties arise.
Ask your professionalWho should I contact and which signs mean I should seek help?
Your questions, ready for the consultation
Write down your priorities and anything that remains unclear. Ask for explanations in a language you understand.
- What benefit can I reasonably expect?
- What might change the decision?
- Which documents and contacts should I keep afterwards?
These pointers help you prepare a discussion with a professional. They do not establish an individual indication or a preparation or recovery protocol.
Sources and reading context
NHS resources in English. The surgery pages address surgical procedures; arrangements for other procedures should be clarified with the relevant team. Local processes may differ.
- Discussing surgery with a specialist NHS · Seeing a specialist — Having an operation (surgery)
- Preparing for surgery NHS · Before surgery — Having an operation (surgery)
- Planning aftercare and discharge NHS · After surgery — Having an operation (surgery)
- Understanding consent to treatment NHS · Consent to treatment
Sources accessed on 14 September 2026
Continue with the right medical context.
Compare the related specialty and use the Guide to understand destinations, preparation and the questions to ask a professional.