What is coronary artery bypass grafting? Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a surgery that helps create adequate blood flow to the heart by using healthy blood vessels harvested from some other sites (e.g., leg, arm, or chest) to bypass the flow of blood from the site of the blockage. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) …
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What is coronary CT angiography? Coronary computerized tomography angiography (CCTA) is a heart scan or imaging test that helps diagnose plaque buildup and consequent narrowing of the coronary arteries (the blood vessels that supply the heart). During a CCTA scan, you may receive an iodine-containing material (contrast) as an intravenous injection to ensure the best possible images of the coronary …
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What is decortication? Decortication is a surgical procedure that removes the restrictive layer of fibrous tissue overlying an organ. It is mostly performed to remove the fibrous layer over the lung, chest wall, and diaphragm. Pleura is a thin membrane that lines the outer surface of the lungs (visceral pleura) and the inner surface of the chest wall (parietal pleura). The …
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What is a digital amputation? A digital amputation is the surgical removal of a portion of a finger, which can include the tip, end, or joint due to severe injury or elective surgery for a condition that has affected the finger. A digital amputation involves surgical removal of a part of a finger. When are digital amputations performed? Digital amputations …
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What is a distal gastrectomy? A distal gastrectomy or antrectomy removes part of the stomach and stitches the remainder with an opening into the small intestine. Antrectomy (distal gastrectomy) is a procedure that involves surgical removal of the lower 30% of the stomach (antrum). Distal gastrectomy is a type of partial gastrectomy that involves the surgical removal of only a …
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What is breath sound assessment? Breath sound assessment is a standardized way doctors listen to the sound your lungs make. This helps them diagnose various lung problems. Clinical evaluation of breath sounds is the first and most common method of assessing lung health. The stethoscope placed on the back and chest lets the physician listen to the breath sounds. This …
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What is the olecranon bursa? Aspiration of the olecranon bursa is the drainage by needle of the fluid inside the lubricating fluid sack (bursa) at the tip of the elbow. The olecranon is the pointed bone at the tip of the elbow. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac at the tip of the elbow. The bursa helps the skin glide …
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What is ankle arthrocentesis? Ankle arthrocentesis is the drainage by needle of fluid inside the ankle joint. Arthrocentesis (joint aspiration) is a diagnostic procedure where the body’s synovial joint lubrication fluid is drained using a sterile needle and syringe. Ankle arthrocentesis is an important procedure used for diagnosing arthritis and differential diagnosis of inflammatory and noninflammatory arthritis. Arthrocentesis can also …
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What is an ampullectomy? Ampullectomy can be performed as open surgery and laparoscopic surgery. An ampullectomy is the surgical removal of the entire ampulla of Vater. The ampulla of Vater or ampulla is the small projection into the duodenum through which bile and pancreatic secretions flow to mix with food for digestion. Ampullectomy can be performed as: Open surgery Laparoscopic …
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What is a Bristow procedure? The Bristow procedure fixes shoulder instability due to shoulder blade (scapula) deformity. Bristow procedure and its variants are performed to treat shoulder instability caused by shoulder blade problems (glenoid defects). The outer end on the scapula (shoulder blade) is called the glenoid. It meets the head of the humerus (the bone of the upper arm) to …
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