"Surgery" is a short story by Anton Chekhov, first published in 1884. The story was based on Chekhov's experience as a doctor. Feldsher Kuryatin, substituting for a chief doctor in a clinic, meets the church deacon Vonmiglasov, who suffers from toothache. After thorough examination he decides to remove the tooth. His two unsuccessful efforts, causing much stress and pain both for himself and the patient, result in a quarrel. Vonmiglasov leaves outraged and disgusted, Kuryatin feels quite offended with his client's lack of understanding.