| A | B |
|---|
| Type of surgery to determine the origin and cause of a disorder | Diagnostic Procedure |
| Type of surgery to resolve a health problem by repairing or removing the cause | Curative |
| Type of surgery performed to improve a patient's functional ability | Restorative |
| Type of surgery performed to relieve symptoms of a disease process but will not cure the disease | Palliative |
| Type of surgery performed to alter or enhance personal appearance | Cosmetic |
| Urgency category of surgery planned for correction of a nonacute problem | Elective |
| Urgency of surgery that requires prompt intervention; may be life threatening if treatment is delayed more that 24-48 hours | Urgent |
| Urgency of surgery that requires immediate intervention because of life-threatening consequences | Emergent |
| Degree of risk for a procedure without significant risk; often done with local anesthesia | Minor |
| Degree of risk for a procedure of greater risk, usually longer and more extensive than a minor prodcedure | Major |
| Extent of surgery with only the most overtly affected areas are involved in the surgery | Simple |
| Extent of surgery in which it is extensive beyond the area obvioulsy involved; is directed at finding a root cause | Radical |
