Female reproductive procedures

Question 0

insufflation

Answer 0

delivery of pressurized air or gas into a cavity chamber, or organ to allow visual examination, remove an obstruction, or apply medication.
Insufflation is performed to increase the distance between structures so the physician can see more clearly and better diagnose possible disorders

Question 1

amniocentesis

Answer 1

transabdominal puncture of the amniotic sac under guidance using a needle and syringe to remove amniotic fluid
the sample obtained in amniocentesis is chemically and cytologically studied to detect genetic and biochemical disorders and fetal maturity. The procedure also enables transfusion of platelets or blood to the fetus and instillation of drugs for treating the fetus

Question 2

tubal insufflation

Answer 2

test for patency of the uterine tubes made by transuterine insufflation with carbon dioxide; also called Rubin test

Question 3

colposcopy

Answer 3

visual examination of the vagina and cervix with an optical magnifying instrument (colposcope).
colposcopy is used chiefly to identify areas of cervical dysplasia in women with abnormal Papanicolaou tests and as an aid in biopsy or excision procedures, including cautery, cryotherapy, and loop electrosurgical excision.

Question 4

laparoscopy

Answer 4

visual examination of the abdominal cavity with a laparoscope through one or more small incisions in the abdominal wall, usually at the umbilicus.
laparoscopy has become a standard technique for many routine procedures, including gynecological sterilization by fulguration of the oviducts and tubal ligation

Question 5

chorionic villus sampling (CVS)

Answer 5

sampling of placental tissues for prenatal diagnosis of potential genetic defects.
In CVS, the sample is obtained through a catheter inserted into the uterus. The advantage of CVS over amniocentesis is that it can be undertaken in the first trimester of pregnancy

Question 6

endometrial biopsy

Answer 6

removal of a sample of uterine endometrium for microscopic study.
Endometrial biopsy is commonly used in fertility assessment to confirm ovulation and as a diagnostic tool to determine the cause of dysfunctional and post-menopausal bleeding

Question 7

Papinicolaou (Pap) test

Answer 7

cytological study used to detect abnormal cells sloughed from the cervix and vagina, usually obtained during routine pelvic examination.
a Pap test is commonly used to screen for and diagnose cervical cancer. It may also be used to evaluate cells from any organ, such as the pleura and peritoneum, to detect changes that indicate malignancy.

Question 8

mammography

Answer 8

radiographic examination of the breast to screen for breast cancer.
used to detect tumors, cysts, and microcalcifications, and may help locate a malignant lesion

Question 9

hysterosalpingography

Answer 9

radiography of the uterus and uterine tubes (oviducts) following injection of a contrast medium.
used to determine pathology in the uterine cavity, evaluate tubal patency, and determine the cause of infertility

Question 10

ultrasonography

Answer 10

process by which high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) produce and display an image from reflected “echoes” on a monitor; also called ultrasound, sonography, and echo

pelvic: US of the pelvic region used to evaluate abnormalities in the female reproductive system as well as the fetus in the obstetric patient
transvaginal: US of the pelvic area performed with a probe inserted into the vagina, which provides sharper images of pathological and normal structures within the pelvis

Question 11

breast implant revision

Answer 11

surgery designed to correct an unsuccessful procedure that has created a cosmetic problem or poses a health risk
breast implant revision is commonly performed to replace older silicone implants with new saline-filled implants

Question 12

cerclage

Answer 12

suturing the cervix to prevent it from dilating prematurely during pregnancy, thus decreasing the chance of a spontaneous abortion. The sutures are removed prior to delivery.
sometimes referred to as a “purse-string” procedure

Question 13

cesarean birth

Answer 13

incision of the abdomen and uterus to remove the fetus; also called C-section.
Cesarean birth is most commonly used in the event of cephalopelvic disproportion, presence of sexually transmitted disease, fetal distress, and breech presentation

Question 14

colpocleisis

Answer 14

surgical closure of the vaginal canal

Question 15

conization

Answer 15

excision of a cone-shaped piece of tissue, such as mucosa of the cervix, for histological examination

Question 16

cordocentesis

Answer 16

sampling of fetal blood drawn from the umbilical vein and performed under ultrasound guidance.
Cord blood is evaluated in the laboratory to identify hemolytic diseases or genetic abnormalities

Question 17

cryosurgery

Answer 17

process of freezing tissue to destroy cells; also called cryocautery
cryosurgery is used for chronic cervical infections and erosions because offending organisms may be entrenched in cervical cells and glands. The process destroys these infected areas and, in the the healing process, normal cells are replenished.

Question 18

dilation and curettage (D&C)

Answer 18

Widening of the cervical canal with a dilator and scraping of the uterine endometrium with a curette.
D&C is used to obtain a sample for cytological examination of tissue, control abnormal uterine bleeding, and treat incomplete abortion

Question 19

episiorrhaphy

Answer 19

repair of lacerated vulva or an episiotomy

Question 20

episiotomy

Answer 20

incision of the perineum from the vaginal orifice usually done to prevent tearing of the tissue and to facilitate childbirth

Question 21

hysterectomy

Answer 21

excision of the uterus
indicators for hysterectomy include abnormalities of the uterus and cervix (cancer, severe dysfunctional bleeding, large or bleeding fibroid tumors, prolapse of the uterus, or severe endometriosis). The approach to excision may be abdominal or vaginal
subtotal: hysterectomy where the cervix, ovaries, and Fallopian tubes remain
total: hysterectomy where the cervix is removed but the ovaries and Fallopian tubes remain; also called complete hysterectomy
total plus bilateral salpingooophorectomy

Question 22

intrauterine device

Answer 22

plastic or metal object placed inside the uterus to prevent implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterine lining.

Question 23

lumpectomy

Answer 23

excision of a small primary breast tumor (a “lump) and some normal tissue that surrounds it.
In a lumpectomy, lymph nodes may also be removed because they are located within the breast tissue taken during surgery. Typically, the patient will undergo radiation therapy after lumpectomy

Question 24

mammoplasty

Answer 24

surgical reconstruction of the breasts to change size, shape, or position

augmentation: breast enlargement to increase breast size or to replace one that has been surgically removed. performed by inserting a breast prosthesis (filled with silicone gel or saline) beneath the skin or beneath the pectoralis major muscle
reduction: breast reduction to reduce the size of a large pendulous breast. May be performed in conjunction with a mastopexy, a surgery to uplift a sagging breast

Question 25

mastectomy

Answer 25

excision of the entire breast

Question 26

total (simple) mastectomy

Answer 26

excision of the entire breast, nipple, areola, and the involved overlying skin; also called simple mastectomy. The lymph nodes are removed only if they are included in the breast tissue being removed.

Question 27

modified radical mastectomy

Answer 27

excision of the entire breast, including the lymph nodes in the underarm (axillary dissection)

Question 28

radical mastectomy

Answer 28

excision of the entire breast, all underarm lymph nodes, and chest wall muscles under the breast

Question 29

myomectomy

Answer 29

excision of a myomatous tumor, generally uterine

Question 30

reconstructive breast surgery

Answer 30

reconstruction of a breast that has been removed because of cancer or other disease.
reconstruction is commonly possible immediately following mastectomy so the patient awakes from anesthesia with a breast mound already in place.
tissue (skin) expansion: common breast reconstruction technique in which a balloon expander is inserted beneath the skin and chest muscle, saline solution is gradually injected to increase size, and the expander is then replaced with a more permanent implant

Question 31

transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) flap

Answer 31

surgical creation of a skin flap using skin and fat from the lower half of the abdomen which is passed under the skin to the breast area. The abdominal tissue (flap) is shaped into a natural looking breast and sutured into place. The TRAM is a popular reconstruction option.

Question 32

salpingo-oophorectomy

Answer 32

excision of an ovary and a Fallopian tube.

usually identified as right, left, or bilateral

Question 33

tubal ligation

Answer 33

procedure that ties (ligates) the Fallopian tubes to prevent pregnancy.
a sterilization surgery that is usually performed during a laparoscopy