Minor surgical procedures are frequently performed in ambulatory care settings and office practices. As a medical assistant, you must be knowledgeable of the types of procedures performed where you are employed. You need to know how to prepare the patient for surgery, assist the practitioner during surgery, and care for the patient after surgery. Because all types of surgery require surgical asepsis or sterile technique, which are discussed in Chapter 19, a working knowledge of these techniques is mandatory. Assisting with minor surgery requires a variety of duties and skills.