Overview

Operation is a dexterity game where players take turns using tweezers to remove small “Funatomy” body parts from Cavity Sam, a plastic patient with 12 cavities. Successfully removing a piece without touching the edges earns money. Touching the edge triggers a buzzer and lights up Sam’s red nose. The player with the most money wins. Published by Milton Bradley/Hasbro.

Components

• 1 plastic-framed game board (Cavity Sam) with 12 cavities and 12 Funatomy parts
• 1 pair of “Surgical Tweezers” (attached to the board via wire)
• 24 cards (Doctor cards and Specialist cards)
• Play money (for fees)
• Requires 2 “D” cell flashlight batteries (not included)

Setup

1. Insert 2 “D” batteries underneath the platform as shown in the diagram.
2. Test the tweezers by touching them to the metal edge of a cavity; the nose should light and buzzer should sound.
3. Remove all Funatomy parts by twisting until they break off the rod. Place each part in its proper cavity as pictured on the board (e.g., “Heart” in “Broken Heart,” “Wishbone” in “Wishbone” cavity). The rubber band goes lengthwise in the “Ankle Bone Connected to the Knee Bone” cavity.
4. No Funatomy part should protrude above its cavity at the start.
5. Separate the 24 cards into Doctor cards and Specialist cards.
6. Shuffle the Specialist cards and deal them out evenly. Place leftover Specialist cards aside.
7. Shuffle all Doctor cards face down as a draw pile.
8. Designate one player as the banker.

Turn Structure

Players take turns clockwise:

1. Draw the top Doctor card. It names the operation and the fee.
2. Using the Surgical Tweezers, attempt to remove the indicated Funatomy part without touching the metal edges of the cavity.

Actions

• Successful operation: Remove the part completely without triggering the buzzer/nose. Collect the Doctor card fee from the bank. The Doctor card is out of the game.
• Failed operation (buzzer sounds): The part is dropped back into the cavity. The turn ends. The holder of the matching Specialist card may now attempt the same operation for the higher Specialist fee.
• Specialist attempt: If the Specialist succeeds, they collect the Specialist fee. If the Specialist also fails, the Doctor card goes to the bottom of the draw pile while the Specialist keeps the Specialist card.
• Ankle Bone Connected to the Knee Bone: Connect one loop of the rubber band to the tiny post at one end of the cavity and stretch the other loop to the post at the opposite end.
• No Specialist card exists for some operations (noted in rules); only the Doctor can attempt those.
• Doctor has own Specialist card: If the Doctor also holds the Specialist card for that operation, they get two tries – first for the Doctor fee, second for the Specialist fee. If both fail, the Doctor card goes to the bottom of the pile but they keep the Specialist card.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

• When all 12 operations have been completed successfully, the game ends.
• The player with the most money wins.
• Optional time limit: Players may agree on a time limit (e.g., 1 minute) per operation.
• Solo game: Try to perform all 12 operations. If you fail, replace removed parts and start over.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• If during an operation the buzzer sounds or the nose lights, the attempt is not successful and the part drops back in.
• A part must be completely removed (or rubber band fully connected) without triggering the buzzer to count as successful.
• Replace burned out or broken nose bulbs with Type 14A, 2.5 volt screw bulbs (flashlight style).
• Remove batteries during extended storage. Never mix battery types or old and new batteries.

Player Reference

Turn: Draw Doctor card → Attempt removal with tweezers

Success: No buzzer = collect fee

Failure: Buzzer sounds = Specialist gets a chance

Win: Most money when all 12 operations complete