Understanding elective, urgent and emergency surgery — and the questions worth asking your surgeon.
Three broad categories
- Emergency surgery — needed within hours, for example a ruptured appendix, obstructed bowel or major trauma
- Urgent surgery — needed within days, for example a cancer diagnosis or a worsening hernia
- Elective surgery — planned in advance at a time that suits you, once tests are complete
Conditions that commonly require an operation
- Appendicitis and gallbladder disease
- Hernias that are enlarging or painful
- Breast lumps requiring biopsy or removal
- Colorectal and urological disease
- Fibroids and other gynaecological conditions
- Fractures needing fixation
Questions to ask before you consent
- What happens if I do not have this operation?
- Is a keyhole (laparoscopic) approach possible?
- What are the risks, and how long is recovery?
- Who will perform the surgery, and what will it cost?
Our surgical service
We perform general, laparoscopic, breast, colorectal, urological, ENT, orthopaedic and paediatric surgery, with an ICU on site for patients who need closer post-operative monitoring.
Speak to a doctor at BLUESCOPE
Our specialists in Kubwa, Abuja are available for consultation, with a 24/7 emergency unit, on-site laboratory, pharmacy and ICU.
More health information
- When Should You Take Your Child to the Emergency Room?
Warning signs in children that should never wait until morning, and what to do on the way to hospital.
- Understanding Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
High blood pressure rarely causes symptoms until damage is done. Here is how it is diagnosed and controlled.
- Breast Cancer Screening: What Every Woman Should Know
Early detection saves lives. How to check yourself and when to have a clinical review.
Educational information only — it does not replace a consultation with a qualified doctor.