Final answer:
A surgical procedure performed for definitive treatment rather than diagnostic purposes is known as a therapeutic procedure.
Step-by-step explanation:
A surgical procedure performed for definitive treatment rather than diagnostic purposes is often referred to as a therapeutic procedure. It is aimed at directly addressing a specific medical condition or disease rather than simply investigating or confirming a diagnosis. Unlike diagnostic procedures, which are generally non-invasive and focus on gathering information for diagnosis, therapeutic procedures involve physical intervention to treat the underlying problem or alleviate symptoms.
For example, let's consider the case of cancer. A biopsy is a diagnostic procedure used to collect a tissue sample for analysis and determine if cancer is present. However, if cancer is confirmed, surgical resection may be performed as a therapeutic procedure to remove the cancerous tissue and potentially provide a cure or improve the patient's prognosis.
In summary, a therapeutic procedure is a surgical intervention performed to treat a medical condition, while a diagnostic procedure focuses on gathering information to make a diagnosis.