-ectomy, -ectome, -ectomize

Excision or surgery on a ligament.

1. Excision of a synovial membrane.
2. Knee arthroscopy is a surgical procedure in which a small camera is used to examine tissues inside the knee joint. Additional instruments may be inserted to repair the knee.

Arthroscopic surgery on the knee involves inserting a small camera, less than one-fourth inch in diameter, into the knee joint through a small incision.

The camera is attached to a video monitor, which the surgeon uses to see inside the knee. In some facilities, the patient can also choose to watch the surgery on the monitor.

For a simple surgical procedure, a local or regional anesthetic is administered, which numbs the affected area. The patient remains awake and able to respond.

For more extensive surgery, general anesthesia may be used. In this case the patient is unconscious and pain-free.

After the camera is inserted, saline solution is pumped in under pressure to expand the joint and to help control bleeding. Some surgeons also use a tourniquet to prevent bleeding.

After looking around the entire knee for problem areas, the surgeon will usually make one to four additional small incisions to insert other instruments.

Commonly used instruments include a blunt hook to pull on various tissues, a shaver to remove damaged or unwanted soft tissues, and a burr to remove bone. A heat probe may also be used to remove inflammation (synovitis) in the joint.

After the completion of the surgery, the saline is drained from the knee, the incisions closed, and a dressing is applied. Many surgeons take pictures of the procedure from the video monitor to allow the patient to see what was done.

1. Excision of a growth on a tendon or on a tendon sheath.
2. Resection (excision) of part of a tendon.

Chemical destruction of a part of the thalamus, usually for relief of pain or dyskinesia.

Removal (excision) of tissues or an organ by thermocautery; that is, excision with a heated wire or cautery.

Thoracotomy with the resection of a portion of a rib.

1. Excision of a thrombus.
2. A procedure to remove a blood clot (a thrombus or a blood clot formed within a blood vessel and remaining attached to its place of origin).