Functioning surgically? (11)

I believe the answer is:

operational

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'functioning surgically?' is the definition.
'operational' can be an answer for 'functioning' (thesaurus). I'm not sure about the 'surgically?' bit.

'functioning surgically?' is the wordplay.
'functioning' becomes 'operation' (synonyms).
'surgically?' becomes 'al' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'operation'+'al'='OPERATIONAL'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for operational that I've seen before include "running" , "In working order" , "working satisfactorily?" , "Ready for use" , "Ready for action" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News.

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