Dictionary

Surgical

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

thoracotomyA surgical cut through the chest wall to reach the lungs, heart or other organs in the chest.

thrombinAn enzyme in the blood that turns fibrinogen into fibrin, the threads that hold a blood clot together.

thyroidectomySurgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland in the neck.

time-outA pause just before a procedure when the whole team confirms the right client, procedure and site; also, a short break to calm a child.

total hip replacementSurgery that replaces the worn or damaged ball and socket of the hip joint with artificial parts; also called total hip arthroplasty.

total knee replacementSurgery that replaces the worn surfaces of the knee joint with metal and plastic parts.

total thyroidectomySurgery to remove the whole thyroid gland.

tourniquetA band tightened around an arm or leg to slow or stop blood flow below it.

tracheotomyThe surgical cut made into the windpipe through the front of the neck.

transurethral resection of the prostateSurgery that removes part of the prostate gland with an instrument passed up through the urethra.

transverseLying across something, at a right angle to its length.

Trendelenburg positionA position in which the client lies on the back with the bed tilted so the head is lower than the feet.

trocarA sharp or bladed instrument inside a tube (cannula), used to pierce a body wall and leave the tube in place as a port.