Word parts
What it means
The cutting out of a section of an organ, such as part of the bowel, lung, liver or stomach, often because of cancer, damage or a blockage. After a bowel resection the two healthy ends are usually joined back together (an anastomosis) or brought out to the skin as a stoma. A transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) removes prostate tissue through the urethra, with no outside cut.
For the nurse
After a bowel resection, watch for the return of bowel sounds and passing gas before diet is advanced, and check the incision and any drains.
At a glance
| Spanish | resección |
|---|---|
| Also written | resections, resected |
Related terms
postoperative
Describing the time after surgery, from the end of the operation until recovery.
-ectomy
A word ending that means surgical removal.
transurethral resection of the prostate
Surgery that removes part of the prostate gland with an instrument passed up through the urethra.