What does the suffix "-rrhaphy" denote in surgical terms?

In surgical terminology, the suffix "-rrhaphy" specifically denotes the act of suturing or stitching. This suffix is derived from the Greek word "rhaphē," which means to sew or stitch. Therefore, when this suffix is used, it implies that a surgical procedure involves the closing of wounds or the approximate alignment of tissue through sutures.

For instance, in terms like "herniorrhaphy," it refers to the surgical procedure that addresses a hernia by suturing the defect in the muscle wall. This term clarifies that the primary action involves sewing or stitching the tissue rather than performing other procedures like fixation, replacement, or reconstruction, which are indicated by different suffixes or terminology.