The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word SURGERY
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
S
U
R
G
E
R
Y
More clues leading to the result SURGERY
- On-line rush for event in theatre
- Work in theatre bound to include good lines
- Senior nurses strongly advise ending of unnecessary operations
- Sudden rush on the lines for period of consultation
- One pushing 60 is gutted outside treatment room
- A theatrical performance?
- Theatre work‘s good when involved in certain lines
- Operations in sudden move forward, taking line
- Head of Government enters Surrey for a change — when he’s available for consultation?
- Doctor urges Ray to leave a consulting room
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "operations" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case operations = surgery.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SURGERY mean?
SURGERY noun- A procedure involving major incisions to remove, repair, or replace a part of a body.
- The medical specialty related to the performance of surgical procedures.
- A room or department where surgery is performed.
- A doctor's office.
- Any arrangement where people arrive and wait for an interview with certain people, particularly a politician. cf. clinic.
- (bankruptcy) A pre-packaged bankruptcy or "quick bankruptcy".
- The production of a manifold by removing parts of one manifold and replacing them with corresponding parts of others.