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Surgery | UC Davis Health

Surgery

Our experienced surgeons perform thousands of surgeries each year. We use the latest surgical advances, including minimally invasive and robotic techniques, to provide you the best possible care.

Medically reviewed by Ankit Sarin, M.D. and Mohamed Ali, M.D. on March 02, 2026.

UC Davis Health surgeons performing surgery on a patient.

Nationally Recognized Surgical Care

UC Davis Health surgeons are committed to bringing world-class care to you and your family. Our compassionate surgeons and surgical staff have the expertise to perform any type of surgery.  We are at the forefront of research and treatments, so you benefit from these advancements through better outcomes.

Using the latest technology and innovative techniques, UC Davis surgeons manage more than 20,000 cases a year. We offer expertise in a variety of surgical areas and techniques. We also specialize in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted procedures

Why Choose Us

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State-of-the-Art Technology

You can expect improved surgical outcomes, less pain, and a faster recovery from our leading-edge procedures. We use the latest diagnostic and surgical equipment to offer you the most advanced medical care available.

Comprehensive Care

You get the best possible care through our cross-specialty collaborations. We work closely with colleagues in other medical and surgical specialties to create a holistic approach to your treatment.

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Innovative Research

You benefit from our knowledge and expertise, gathered through leading-edge research. Led by expert professors and scientists, we explore new approaches to improve your treatment outcomes and care.

Request an Appointment

As Sacramento's No. 1 hospital, you'll benefit from unique advantages in primary care and specialty care. This includes prevention, diagnosis and treatment options from experts in 150 specialties.

Referring Physicians

To refer a patient, submit an electronic referral form or call.

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Patients

Call to make an appointment.

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Advanced Surgical Techniques

We offer minimally invasive surgery and robotic-assisted procedures. Our surgeons work closely with you to determine the best treatment option for your case.

Our advanced surgical techniques include:

Minimally Invasive Surgery

This technique results in less pain, a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery for you than traditional open surgery. Your surgeon makes a small incision to guide thin tubes, tiny cameras and surgical tools.

Explore our minimally invasive surgeries
Robotic-Assisted Procedures

With this type of minimally invasive surgery, your surgeon uses a robotic surgery system to do your procedure. The system has a robotic arm that holds small surgical instruments. Your surgeon moves the arm with a special controller, which allows for greater precision than traditional surgery.

Learn more about robotic surgery at UC Davis Health
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Our Surgical Specialties

We have surgical expertise in a wide range of areas. Some of our advanced techniques include minimally invasive (laparoscopic), endoluminal (endoscopic), and robotic-assisted procedures.

Our surgical specialties include:

Bariatric Surgery

Our nationally recognized bariatric surgery experts provide weight management and metabolic health through both medical and surgical options.

Explore our bariatric surgery options
Burn Surgery

Our American Burn Association-verified program includes nationally recognized expertise in acute and reconstructive burn surgery.

View our surgical care for burns
Cardiothoracic Surgery

Our team of cardiothoracic surgery experts provide surgical care for your heart and minor blood vessels. We are often among the first to offer new treatment methods.

Learn how cardiothoracic surgery can help you
Cleft and Craniofacial Reconstruction

Recognized experts offer comprehensive care for cleft and craniofacial differences, ranging from primary lip repair to secondary palate surgery to jaw lengthening.

See all otolaryngology specialties we offer
Colorectal Surgery

Our nationally recognized surgeons use advanced minimally invasive techniques to treat colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, anorectal issues and other conditions.

Find out more about colorectal surgery
Endocrine Surgery

We perform endocrine surgery using innovative, minimally invasive procedures to treat your thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands.

Read about endocrine surgery
Gastrointestinal Surgery

Minimally invasive, endoluminal and robotic treatments for the digestive tract and related conditions, including foregut surgery and abdominal wall reconstruction.

See our approaches to GI surgery
General Thoracic Surgery

Our thoracic surgeons treat conditions affecting the lungs, esophagus, airway, diaphragm, and chest, using the latest minimally invasive and robotic techniques.

Learn more about thoracic surgery
Gynecologic Surgery

Experts in minimally invasive, precision approaches care for both common and rare gynecologic conditions, and offer a wide array of treatment choices.

Explore OB-GYN conditions we treat and services we offer
Head and Neck Surgery

Our ear, nose and throat surgeons treat tumors and problems of hearing, balance, taste, smell and swallowing. They can use endoscopic, laser, robotic and microvascular techniques.

Learn more about our ear, nose and throat (ENT) treatments
Hepatobiliary Surgery

Our specialty-trained surgeons perform hepatobiliary surgery involving your bile ducts, gallbladder, liver or pancreas.

Find out more about hepatobiliary surgery
Laser Vision Correction

Highly trained ophthalmologists perform a wide range of advanced laser surgeries to treat common and complex vision problems.

See our advanced laser vision treatments
Neurosurgery

Using the latest technology, we perform advanced neurosurgery to treat tumors, epilepsy, movement disorders and other neurological conditions. 

Explore how we treat these conditions with neurosurgery
Eye/Ophthalmic Surgery

Our Eye Center offers extensive ophthalmic surgery services – from laser correction to advanced cataract removal to cornea transplants – and can combine multiple procedures.

Learn more about our services for eye conditions
Orthopaedic Surgery

Our esteemed orthopaedic surgery team cares for joint, bone or muscle problems ranging from sports injuries and arthritis to complex pediatric conditions and cancer.

Explore our orthopaedic surgery specialties
Pediatric Surgery

An experienced pediatric surgery team provides comprehensive care for infants, children and adolescents at the West Coast's first level 1 Children’s Surgery Center. 

Find out about the types of pediatric surgery we offer
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Our board-certified plastic surgeons perform aesthetic and reconstructive procedures, craniofacial surgery, and hand, upper extremity and microvascular surgery.

See our personalized plastic and reconstructive procedures
Spine Surgery

Nationally recognized experts offer the latest minimally invasive procedures for back and neck conditions, such as innovative implants and precision augmented reality.

Learn more about our treatments for spine conditions
Surgical Oncology

Surgical oncologists at the NCI-designated UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center treat tumors using the latest advances in robotic technology and other surgical applications. 

Learn more about our team-based surgical treatments for cancer
Transplant Surgery

Experienced transplant specialists provide kidney, liver and heart transplants, and are national leaders in treatment innovations that lead to better outcomes.

Explore our transplant services and process
Trauma and Acute Care Surgery

UC Davis Medical Center is the only level 1 trauma center for both adult and pediatric emergencies in inland Northern California.

Learn more about our emergency surgical procedures
Urologic Surgery

Offering advanced expertise in urologic surgery, robotics and minimally invasive treatments, for conditions such as prostate cancer, kidney stones, and incontinence.

Explore the urologic treatments and services we offer
Vascular Surgery

Our Vascular Center provides comprehensive, state-of-the-art care for all vascular conditions, from esthetic problems to life-threatening aneurysms and carotid disease.

Learn about the types of vascular surgery we perform
Surgery FAQs

Surgery includes operations and procedures to treat a disease or repair an injured part of your body. Surgeons use different techniques to gain access to the diseased or injured area in order to repair it. Your doctor may recommend surgery if other types of treatments haven’t worked.

The length of your surgery depends on many factors, such as your overall health, whether the surgery is routine or complex and whether any complications arise. Your surgeon can give you an approximate time frame for how long your surgery will last.

The cost of surgery varies based on what type of surgery you need and what your insurance covers. You can contact your insurance company to request an estimate. Your bill may include fees for your physician, hospital room, lab services, equipment used and medication.

Recovery times vary greatly depending on your overall health and the type of surgery you have. Minimally invasive surgeries usually have a shorter recovery time than traditional, open surgeries (1-3 weeks versus a few months).

Awards and Recognitions
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U.S. News Best Hospitals badge: Ranked in 6 specialties, 2025-26

Ranked among the nation’s best hospitals

A U.S. News & World Report best hospital in cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, diabetes & endocrinology, ENT, geriatrics, neurology & neurosurgery, and pulmonology & lung surgery.

Learn more
U.S. News Best Children's Hospitals badge: Ranked in 3 specialties, 2025-26

Ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals

U.S. News & World Report ranked UC Davis Children’s Hospital among the best in pediatric nephrology, orthopedics*, and pulmonology & lung surgery. (*Together with Shriners Children’s Northern California)

Learn more
U.S. News Best Regional Hospitals badge: Sacramento metro, recognized in 26 types of care, 2025-26

Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital

Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and high-performing in aortic valve surgery, back surgery (spinal fusion), COPD, colon cancer surgery, diabetes, gynecological cancer surgery, heart arrhythmia, heart failure, kidney failure, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, pacemaker implantation, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery, stroke, TAVR, cancer, orthopedics, gastroenterology & GI surgery, and urology.

Learn more
Magnet recognized badge: American Nurses Credentialing Center

The nation’s highest nursing honor

UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.

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NCI badge: Designated comprehensive cancer center

World-class cancer care

One of ~59 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.

Learn more
LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader badge: 2024, Healthcare Equality Index

A leader in health care equality

For the 13th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization.

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