In surgical practice, deciding on the right type of surgical access for a specific condition would be a skill of its own for a surgeon. The decision to select a specific incision would depend on the several ascpects e.g. surgical site, related anatomical structures, easy access, less complications, quicker healing and minimum scar. But, at instances, all these options might not be fulfilled and the surgeons have to make a professional judgment as to decide on what's best for the patients' condition and act fast in order to save the life of the patient.

Agnew's incision

An incision used to release pus in the lacrimal sac in acute phlegmonous dacryocystitis. It is named after Cornelius Rea Agnew

Cornelius Rea Agnew

Cornelius Rea Agnew was an American physician.Agnew was born in New York City, the son of William Agnew and Elizabeth Thompson Agnew. He graduated from Columbia College in 1849, and from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1852. That same year, he was appointed...

Cherney incision

Cherney described a transverse incision that allows excellent surgical exposure to the space of Retzius and the pelvic sidewall. The skin and fascia are cut in a manner similar to a Maylard incision. The rectus muscles are separated to the pubis symphysis and separated from the pyramidalis muscles. A plane is developed between the fibrous tendons of the rectus muscle and the underlying transversalis fascia. Using electrocautery, the rectus tendons are cut from the pubic bone. The rectus muscles are retracted and the peritoneum opened.

Chevron incision

This incision a cut is made on the abdomen below the rib cage. The cut starts under the armpit below the ribs on the right side of the abdomen and continues all the way across the abdomen to the opposite arm pit thereby the whole width of the abdomen is cut to provide access to the liver. The average length of the incision is approximately 24 to 30 inches.

Gridiron's incision(Mc Burney's incision)

An oblique incision made in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, classically used for appendectomy
Incision is placed perpendicular to the spinoumblical line at Mc Burney's point, i.e. at the junction of lateral one-third and medial two-third of spino-umblical line.

Kocher’s incision

An oblique incision made in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, classially used for open cholecystectomy

Cholecystectomy

Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. It is the most common method for treating symptomatic gallstones. Surgical options include the standard procedure, called laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and an older more invasive procedure, called open cholecystectomy.-Open surgery:A...

. Named after Emil Theodor Kocher

Emil Theodor Kocher

Emil Theodor Kocher was a Swiss physician, medical researcher, and Nobel laureate for his work in the physiology, pathology and surgery of the thyroid....

. It is appropriate for certain operations on the liver

Liver

The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...

, gallbladder

Gallbladder

In vertebrates the gallbladder is a small organ that aids mainly in fat digestion and concentrates bile produced by the liver. In humans the loss of the gallbladder is usually easily tolerated....

 and biliary tract. This shares a name with the Kocher incision used for thyroid surgery: a transverse, slightly curved incision about 2 cm above the sternoclavicular joints;

Lanz incision

centering at McBurney's point, cosmetically better, used for open appendicectomy.

Maylard incision

A variation of Pfannenstiel incision

Pfannenstiel incision

A Pfannenstiel incision is a type of surgical incision that allows access to the abdomen. Because the exposure is limited this incision should be used only when surgery is planned on the pelvic organs...

 is the Maylard incision in which the rectus abdominis muscle

Muscle

Muscle is a contractile tissue of animals and is derived from the mesodermal layer of embryonic germ cells. Muscle cells contain contractile filaments that move past each other and change the size of the cell. They are classified as skeletal, cardiac, or smooth muscles. Their function is to...

s are sectioned transversally to permit wider access to the pelvis.

McBurney incision

This is the incision used for open appendectomy, it begins 2 to 5 centimeters above the anterior superior iliac spine and continues to a point one-third of the way to the umbilicus (McBurney's point). Thus, the incision is parallel to the external oblique muscle of the abdomen which allows the muscle to be split in the direction of its fibers, decreasing healing times and scar tissue formation. This incision heals rapidly and generally has good cosmetic results, especially if a subcuticular suture is used to close the skin.

Median sternotomy

This is the primary incision used for cardiac procedures. It extends from the sternal notch to the xiphoid process. The sternum is divided, and a finochietto retractor used to keep the incision open.

Midline incision

The most common incision for laparotomy is the midline incision, a vertical incision which follows the linea alba.

• The upper midline incision usually extends from the xiphoid process
  Xiphoid process
  The xiphoid process, or xiphisternum or metasternum, is a small cartilaginous process of the lower part of the sternum which is usually ossified in the adult human. By age 15 to 29, the xiphoid usually fuses to the body of the sternum with a fibrous joint. Unlike the synovial articulation of major...
  
   to the umbilicus
  Navel
  The navel is a scar on the abdomen caused when the umbilical cord is removed from a newborn baby...
  
  .
• A typical lower midline incision is limited by the umbilicus superiorly and by the pubic symphysis
  Pubic symphysis
  The pubic symphysis or symphysis pubis is the midline cartilaginous joint uniting the superior rami of the left and right pubic bones. It is located anterior to the urinary bladder and superior to the external genitalia; for females it is above the vulva and for males it is above the penis...
  
   inferiorly.
• Sometimes a single incision extending from xiphoid process
  Xiphoid process
  The xiphoid process, or xiphisternum or metasternum, is a small cartilaginous process of the lower part of the sternum which is usually ossified in the adult human. By age 15 to 29, the xiphoid usually fuses to the body of the sternum with a fibrous joint. Unlike the synovial articulation of major...
  
   to pubic symphysis is employed, especially in trauma surgery
  Trauma surgery
  Trauma surgery is a surgical specialty involved in the invasive treatment of physical injuries, typically in an emergency setting. Trauma surgeons generally complete residency training in general surgery and often fellowship training in trauma or surgical critical care...
  
  .

Midline incisions are particularly favoured in diagnostic laparotomy, as they allow wide access to most of the abdominal cavity.

Pfannenstiel’s incision

The Pfannenstiel incision

Pfannenstiel incision

A Pfannenstiel incision is a type of surgical incision that allows access to the abdomen. Because the exposure is limited this incision should be used only when surgery is planned on the pelvic organs...

, a transverse incision below the umbilicus and just above the pubic symphysis. In the classic Pfannenstiel incision, the skin and subcutaneous tissue are incised transversally, but the linea alba

Linea alba

The linea alba is a fibrous structure that runs down the midline of the abdomen in humans and other vertebrates. The name means white line and the linea alba is indeed white, being composed mostly of collagen connective tissue....

 is opened vertically. It is the incision of choice for Cesarean section and for abdominal hysterectomy

Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, usually performed by a gynecologist. Hysterectomy may be total or partial...

 for benign disease.

Rocky-Davis’ incision

The Davis or Rockey-Davis "muscle-splitting" right lower quadrant incision for appendectomy.