-ectomy, -ectome, -ectomize
(Greek: a suffix; cut, excise, surgical removal of)
Adrenalectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that is most often performed laparoscopically. A laparoscope is a device that allows the physician to see the surgical area with a small camera. Laparoscopic procedures use smaller incisions than traditional, open procedures.
The amygdaloid nucleus in the brain; or the tonsils. These structures were so named because they appeared to be shaped like an almond. From the Greek amydale, "almond" plus the Greek eidos, "like".
In this operation, called clipping, a craniotomy was performed, and afterwards a titanium clip was attached around the aneurysm's neck.
This operation became the standard of care for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms as microneurosurgical techniques were refined in the 1980s and 1990s.
In the mid to late 1990s, a different method of aneurysm treatment was developed which allowed for treatment without open surgery; namely, coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms which involves the insertion of a catheter through the groin with a small microcatheter navigated to the aneurysm itself through the cerebral arteries.
Coils (known as GDCs) are then deployed into the aneurysm filling it from within and thus preventing blood from entering the aneurysm itself.
Not every type of aneurysm can be treated with the previously described method; for example, certain wide-necked and inaccessible aneurysms currently still require surgical intervention, even though new methods (that use a type of stent) are already being studied and tested.
Surgery is also usually required for venous aneurysms as introducing foreign material in the low flow veins can produce a high risk blood clotting environment.
2. Excision of all or part of a blood vessel; also known as, arteriectomy or a venectomy.
2. In gynecology, excision of the fallopian tube and ovary if unilateral and excision of both tubes and ovaries (adnexa uteri) if bilateral.
2. Excision of the antrum (distal half) of the stomach; often combined with bilateral excision of portions of the vagus nerve trunks (vagectomy) in the treatment of peptic ulcer.
The aorta is the largest artery in the body which has its origin at the heart. It gives off branches to the extremities, neck, and major organs for the purpose of supplying oxygenated blood.
The appendix is a small, finger-shaped pouch of intestinal tissue extending from the cecum, which is the first part of the large intestine. Blockage of the opening of the appendix into the bowel by a hard small stool fragment (fecalith) is believed to be a frequent cause of appendicitis.
The infected appendix must be surgically removed (emergency appendectomy), because if it becomes perforated (leaks), this can lead to infection of the entire abdominal space (peritonitis), which can be fatal.
The surgery is done while the patient is unconscious and pain-free, using general anesthesia. A small incision is made in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, and the appendix is removed.
Alternatively, the appendix may be removed laparoscopically with a smaller incision, using a tiny camera to visualize the area.
If a pocket of infection (an abscess) has formed, or the appendix has ruptured, the abdomen will be thoroughly washed out during surgery, and a small tube may be left in to help drain out fluids or pus.
Related cutting-word units: cast-; castrat-; -cise, -cide; mutil-; put-; sec-, seg-; temno-; -tomy; trunc-.
-Ectomy Word-Sources of Definitions