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-ectomy

The suffix -ectomy denotes the surgical removal of an organ or part of an organ. An appendectomy is removal of the appendix, a cholecystectomy removal of the gallbladder and a tonsillectomy removal of the tonsils.

Greek ektomé = cutting out

surgical removal

-ectomy

Three surgical suffixes are often confused and need to be kept apart precisely:

  • -ectomy – removal, for example splenectomy
  • -tomy – opening by incision, for example laparotomy
  • -stomy – creation of an artificial opening, for example colostomy

Once you know these three building blocks, you can work out most operation names yourself.

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