Surgical Success Rates: A Comprehensive Overview

Surgical success rates vary by procedure, patient factors, surgeon volume, and definition of "success" (survival, complication-free, functional outcome). Below are representative benchmark rates from large registries and literature (typically 30-day or 1-year survival/technical success).

Procedure	Success Rate (Approx.)	Notes
Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR)	97%	30-day survival; TAVR similar in selected pts
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)	95–98%	30-day survival; off-pump vs on-pump similar
Angioplasty / PCI	95–98% (technical)	Clinical success (symptom relief) ~90%
Cataract Surgery	98–99%	Visual acuity improvement; <1% serious complications
Cholecystectomy (Lap)	>95%	Conversion to open ~2–5%
Total Hip Arthroplasty	90–95%	10-yr implant survival >90%; revision rate ~5% at 10 yr
Total Knee Arthroplasty	90–95%	Similar to hip
Bariatric Surgery (Sleeve/RYGB)	95–98% (30-day survival)	Weight loss success (50% EWL) ~70–80%
Hysterectomy (Benign, Lap/Vaginal)	95–98%	Major complication <5%
Mastectomy (Breast Cancer)	95–98%	Surgical success; oncologic outcomes separate
Prostatectomy (Radical, Robot-Assisted)	90–95%	Continence/potency recovery variable
LASIK	96–99%	>20/40 uncorrected; enhancement rate 1–5%
Lung Cancer Resection (Lobectomy)	70–85%	5-yr survival stage-dependent; 30-day mortality 1–4%
Whipple Procedure (Pancreaticoduodenectomy)	65–75%	High-volume centers >80%; major morbidity 30–40%
Liver Transplant	85–90%	1-yr graft survival; 5-yr ~70%
Kidney Transplant (Living Donor)	95–98%	1-yr graft survival; deceased donor ~90%

Critical Caveats

• Rates are population averages—individual risk depends on age, comorbidities, frailty, urgency, surgeon/hospital volume.
• "Success" definitions differ: survival vs. complication-free vs. functional outcome.
• High-volume centers consistently outperform low-volume.
• Discuss your specific risks with your surgical team.