Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

Which type of surgery involves incisions through the skin and muscle to access organs?

1. Open surgery

2. Minimally invasive surgery

3. Robotic surgery

4. Endoscopic surgery

The correct answer is: Open surgery

Open surgery is characterized by making large incisions through the skin and underlying muscles to directly access the organs involved in the procedure. This traditional approach allows the surgeon to have a full view and access to the anatomical structures they are working on, which is particularly beneficial for complex or extensive operations. In contrast, minimally invasive surgery utilizes smaller incisions, often employing the use of specialized instruments and techniques like laparoscopic surgery, which do not require cutting through large muscle masses. Robotic surgery is a form of minimally invasive surgery that employs robotic systems to assist in performing the procedure through small incisions. Endoscopic surgery involves using an endoscope to access internal organs but does so typically without making any significant external incisions, focusing on a less invasive approach. Therefore, open surgery stands out as the method that directly involves incisions through both skin and muscle to gain access to the required organs, affirming its distinction from these alternative surgical techniques.