Dictionary

Surgical

Terms from the operating room and the care of surgical clients.

-ectomyA word ending that means surgical removal.

-ostomyA word ending that means a surgically made opening, usually to the outside of the body.

-otomyA word ending that means cutting into, or a surgical incision.

-pexyA word ending that means surgical fixing of an organ in place.

-tomeA word ending that means an instrument for cutting.

abdominal hysterectomySurgery to remove the uterus through a cut in the lower abdomen.

ablationA procedure that destroys a small area of tissue, often with heat or cold, to stop it from causing a problem.

adhesionA band of scar tissue that joins two surfaces inside the body that are normally separate.

aerationAiring out: in sterile processing, the step that removes leftover ethylene oxide gas from items after sterilization.

amputationThe removal of all or part of a limb or other body part, by surgery or by injury.

analgesiaRelief from pain without loss of consciousness, or the treatment used to bring that relief.

anastomosisA connection between two tube-shaped structures, such as two ends of bowel or two blood vessels, made by surgery or found naturally.

anesthesiaLoss of feeling or sensation, often brought on by drugs so that surgery or a procedure can be done without pain.

anesthesia providerThe licensed professional who gives anesthesia and watches over the client's breathing and vital functions during a procedure.

anestheticA drug that causes loss of feeling, with or without loss of consciousness.

appendectomySurgery to remove the appendix.

arthroplastySurgery to repair or replace a joint, most often the hip or knee.

biohazardA biological material, such as blood, body fluids or used sharps, that can spread infection to people.

bowel obstructionA partial or complete blockage that stops food, fluid and gas from moving through the small or large bowel.

bowel resectionSurgery to remove a section of the small or large intestine.

Bowie-Dick testA daily test that checks whether a prevacuum steam sterilizer removes all the air from its chamber.

bupivacaineA long-acting local anesthetic used to numb an area, block nerves, or give epidural and spinal anesthesia.

cefazolinA first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic given by injection into a vein or muscle.

cesareanRelating to the birth of a baby through a surgical cut in the mother's abdomen and uterus.

cesarean birthBirth of a baby through surgical cuts in the belly and the uterus.

cholecystectomySurgery to remove the gallbladder.

circumcisionSurgery to remove the foreskin, the skin that covers the tip of the penis.

clampA device that squeezes something shut, such as a tube or blood vessel, to stop flow.

cleft lipA split or opening in the upper lip that is present at birth.

colectomySurgery to remove all or part of the colon.

colostomyA surgical opening that brings part of the colon through the belly wall, so stool leaves the body into a pouch.

common bile ductThe tube that carries bile from the liver and gallbladder into the small intestine.

compartment syndromeA buildup of pressure inside a closed group of muscles that cuts off their blood supply.

complicationA new health problem that develops during or after an illness, procedure or treatment.

continuous bladder irrigationA steady flow of sterile fluid run into the bladder and drained back out through a three-way catheter.

craniotomySurgery in which a piece of the skull is removed to reach the brain, and usually put back at the end.

CSTCertified Surgical Technologist, a credential for surgical technologists; in maternity care, contraction stress test.

curetteA surgical instrument with a small spoon- or loop-shaped tip used to scrape tissue.

dantroleneA muscle relaxant that acts inside muscle cells, given by IV for malignant hyperthermia or by mouth for spasticity.

debridementThe removal of dead, damaged or infected tissue from a wound so it can heal.

dehiscenceThe splitting open of the edges of a wound that had been closed, such as a surgical incision.

dilatorAn instrument used to stretch or widen an opening, canal or passage in the body.

dissectTo cut apart or separate tissues carefully during surgery.

dissectionA tear in the inner layer of an artery wall that lets blood split the layers apart; also, the cutting apart of tissue in surgery.

drainA tube or device placed in a wound or body cavity to remove fluid, blood or air.

drapeA sheet placed over a client, either sterile to keep an area clean around a procedure site or plain to give privacy.

elective surgerySurgery that is planned and scheduled ahead of time because it is not an emergency.

electrosurgeryUsing high-frequency electric current through a handheld tool to cut tissue or seal bleeding vessels during surgery.

endotracheal intubationPutting a breathing tube through the mouth or nose into the windpipe (trachea).

epidural anesthesiaPain relief or numbness from an anesthetic drug given through a thin catheter into the space just outside the covering of the spinal cord.