Glossary

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  • Surgical field

    The visible, palpable area in which an operation takes place. This field is prepared and covered to maintain sterility during operations.  

  • Surgical dressing

    A sterile protective covering of gauze or other substance applied to an operative wound.  

  • Antimicrobial prophylaxis in surgery

    The use of antibiotics before, and sometimes during, procedures that are prolonged or involve potential risk of infection. This practice has been shown to prevent infectious complications in colorectal surgery, gynecological and obstetric surgeries, and some cardiac, cancer, and orthopedic procedures. The type of antibiotic administered depends on the surgical procedure. This practice is best…

  • Transsphenoidal surgery

    Surgery on the pituitary gland, performed with an incision made through the base of the sphenoid sinus. It is typically performed through the nasal passages or the oral cavity for removal of a macroadenoma of the pituitary gland in patients with acromegaly, prolactinomas, or other pituitary tumors. Operations on the pituitary gland performed with an…

  • Subtotal surgery

    An operation in which only a portion of the organ is removed (e.g., subtotal removal of the thyroid gland).  

  • Second-look surgery

    Surgery some months after the original operation for cancer to detect possible recurrences. Second-look procedures are also performed on a more immediate basis (e.g., within hours of the initial surgery) when vascular injuries created by the initial operation or condition are suspected. Occasionally, an endoscopic second look may be performed instead of an open surgical…

  • Radical surgery

    An operation to remove a large amount of damaged or neoplastic tissue and/or adjoining areas of lymphatic drainage so as to obtain a complete cure. This is in contrast to conservative surgery. Comprehensive surgery conducted with the goal of eradicating a significant ailment, typically cancer, by excising all affected tissue along with any neighboring tissue…

  • Palliative surgery

    Surgery for the relief of symptoms or improvement in quality of life, usually in patients with incurable illness.  

  • Lung volume reduction surgery

    The removal of emphysematous lung tissue (especially inelastic air spaces in the upper lobes of the lungs) to enhance the ability of the rest of the lung to expand and contract. This procedure improves respiratory function for many patients with advanced chronic obstructive lung disease although the long-term benefits of its use are uncertain.  

  • Intestinal bypass surgery

    The production of controlled intestinal malabsorption by surgically short-circuiting the small intestine. This procedure is used to treat massive obesity. It is done by anastomosing the proximal jejunum to the distal ileum by bypassing the small intestine between the anastomotic sites. The lengths of jejunum and ileum involved vary by surgeon. Because of longterm metabolic…

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