What is a common suffix for surgical procedures?

The suffix that is commonly associated with surgical procedures is "-ectomy." This suffix specifically denotes the surgical removal of a body part or organ. For example, a "appendectomy" refers to the surgical removal of the appendix, and a "hysterectomy" refers to the removal of the uterus. Hence, when discussing surgical terminology, "-ectomy" is a clear indicator that a surgical procedure involving removal is being referenced.

In contrast, "-itis" refers to inflammation, such as in "arthritis," and does not imply a surgical procedure. The suffix "-pathy" indicates a disease or disorder, as seen in "neuropathy," which is related to diseases affecting the nerves but does not suggest a surgical intervention. Similarly, "-scopy" is related to examination procedures using a scope, as in "endoscopy," but is used more for diagnostic purposes rather than indicating a surgical operation. Therefore, "-ectomy" is the most appropriate suffix to signify surgical procedures.