Which suffix indicates a surgical process or treatment?

The suffix that indicates a surgical process or treatment is '-otomy.' This suffix is derived from the Greek word 'temnein,' which means 'to cut.' In medical terminology, '-otomy' is used to describe a surgical incision into a structure; for example, a laparotomy refers to an incision into the abdominal cavity. This suffix signifies that a procedure involves cutting or making an incision as part of a surgical treatment.

Other suffixes, while they also relate to medical procedures, do not specifically denote a surgical incision. For instance, '-rrhaphy' refers to the surgical suturing of a wound or defect; '-tripsy' indicates crushing, such as with lithotripsy, which is the crushing of stones in the urinary tract. Lastly, '-scopy' involves the use of an instrument to visually examine a body cavity or organ, such as in endoscopy. However, none of these implies the act of making an incision, which is why '-otomy' is the correct choice for indicating a surgical process or treatment.