Yes, there really is an operation - but just like declawing, its usually done by humans that refuse to learn to deal with their pet.
A co-worker had his 2 Tibetan Spaniels debarked because of neighbor complaints. The minor detail was that he was never home, and did nothing to train or control his pets. He viewed his pets more as toys, something to take out and play with when HE felt like it.

Eventually, I had to stop talking about pets with this person, because his attitude and actions were so irresponsible. I could rant on and on, but the short version is: Debarking or declawing is often the easy way out for too many unthinking pet owners.