A 51-year-old woman scheduled for a unilateral mastectomy is undergoing which categorization of surgical procedures?

The correct categorization for a unilateral mastectomy is ablative surgery. Ablative procedures involve the removal of tissue or organs to eliminate a disease process, usually cancer in this context. In this case, the mastectomy aims to remove breast tissue affected by cancer, which is a direct action to treat and potentially cure the individual of the illness.

Ablative surgery is designed to excise tumors or diseased tissue. Since a unilateral mastectomy involves the removal of one breast to treat or prevent breast cancer, it is classified primarily as an ablative procedure.

Other categories such as reconstructive surgery focus on rebuilding or repairing tissue after ablative procedures, and palliative surgery aims to relieve symptoms without addressing the underlying disease. Diagnostic procedures are intended for identifying disease rather than treating it. In this instance, the mastectomy’s primary purpose is the removal of disease, solidifying its classification as an ablative procedure.