Dictionary

Surgical

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

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

PACUPost-anesthesia care unit: the area where clients are watched closely as they wake up after surgery.

paralytic ileusA stop in the normal movement of the intestines that happens without anything physically blocking them.

pedicleA narrow stem or stalk that attaches a structure, such as a tumor or a skin flap, to the body.

perforationA hole that goes all the way through the wall of an organ or tissue.

perioperativeRelating to the whole time around a surgery: before, during and after it.

peronealHaving to do with the outer side of the lower leg, near the fibula bone.

postoperativeDescribing the time after surgery, from the end of the operation until recovery.

povidoneA water-soluble synthetic substance used to carry iodine in antiseptics and to bind ingredients in many medicines.

povidone-iodineA brown antiseptic solution of iodine used to kill germs on the skin before procedures and on wounds.

preoperativeDescribing the time before surgery, from the decision to operate until the client goes into the operating room.

propofolA fast-acting IV drug used to put clients to sleep for surgery or procedures and to sedate clients on a ventilator.

prostheticDescribes an artificial part made to replace a missing or damaged body part, such as a limb, joint, eye or heart valve.