Surg 101--Chapter 5 (B&K)

Question 1

anastomosis

Answer 1

Creating a patent connection between two tubular structures by use of a suture or specialized staples.

Question 2

buzzing of forceps

Answer 2

A method of applying the active electrode of a monopolar cautery against an instrument clamped to the patient’s tissue for the purpose of spot hemostasis. The flat side of a metal cautery blade is placed in contact with a clamped instrument below the level of the operator’s hand before activation of the current. The edge of a Teflon-coated cautery blade is placed against an instrument clamped to patient’s tissue below the level of the operator’s hand before activation of the current.

Question 3

cleavage lines

Answer 3

Tissue planes where the natural line of tissue grwoth permits dissection between areas that maintain anatomic structure.

Question 4

dissection

Answer 4

Separation of tissue planes by sharp or blunt means.

Question 5

dynamic tension

Answer 5

The stress on skin caused by underlying musculature, joints, and body motion.

Question 6

hemostasis

Answer 6

Preventing the loss of blood. Stopping the flow of blood.

Question 7

incise cut

Answer 7

Scalpel is used in a perpindicular position to slice tissue in a linear direction.

Question 8

Langer’s lines

Answer 8

Natural lines along skin caused by tension inherent in the structure of the dermal-epidermal layers.

Question 9

ligation

Answer 9

The act of tying or occuding an anatomic structure.

Question 10

palmed

Answer 10

Method of holding an instrument where the working end is nested in the palm of the hand of the assistant while the fingers remain free to grasp other items in the field. The working end can be presented and made functional by rotation of the wrist. This method can be used for countertraction with some manual retractors.

Question 11

perpendicular

Answer 11

The intersection of surfaces at right angles. The scalpel is held perpendicular to the tissue during incision.

Question 12

press cut

Answer 12

Scalpel is pushed into the tissue rather than slid to incise. Press cutting can be a form of intentional puncture.

Question 13

raising a flap

Answer 13

Perpendicular contertraction is placed on superficial tissues as large areas are undermined by dissection. Care is taken not to disrupt vascularization of the elevated tissue.

Question 14

retraction

Answer 14

Displacement of structures by use of the hand or an instrument to expose the surgical site.

Question 15

scrape-cut

Answer 15

Scalpel is dragged laterally across tissues to separate cell layers rather than full tissue layers.

Question 16

skin tension

Answer 16

The turgor of the skin that is either static or dynamic. Tension factors largely in the final healing of the incision and the appearance of the scar.

Question 17

splitting

Answer 17

Separation of muscle tissue along the fascial layers. A form of blunt dissection.

Question 18

sponging

Answer 18

A method of providing exposure by removal of blood and fluid from the surgical site. The preferred way to sponge is to blot or pat the area so as to not remove biological clots.

Question 19

static tension

Answer 19

The constant state of skin position over the framework of the body. Also known as Langer’s lines.

Question 20

suction

Answer 20

Negative pressure used to clear the visual field of blood and body substances. Various styles of tips and tip protectors are used. On occasion, a rigid suction tip can be used to remove fluids and retract tissue simultaneously.

Question 21

surgical assistant

Answer 21

Member of the sterile team who provides exposure and hemostasis during a surgical procedure. A physician, RNFA, SA, PA, or CST specially trained and certified as a CFA.

Question 22

suture

Answer 22

(verb) The act of sweing tissues; (noun), a thread used for sewing tissue in surgery.

Question 23

Thenar grip

Answer 23

Method of holding an instrument in which the ring handle is secured in the palm at the base of the thumb instead of placing the thumb through the ring. A small portion of the ring finger may be situated within the opposing ring of the handle.

Question 24

traction-countertraction

Answer 24

Displacement of a structure by pulling the tissue in an opposite direction to facilitate sharp or blunt dissection of tissue planes.

Question 25

transection

Answer 25

Cutting across natural anatomic lines. Can be done by sharp dissection or electrocoagulation.

Question 26

triangulation

Answer 26

Suturing three opposing points of a tubular structure so that the distance between two points can be approximated in a straight line.

Question 27

tripod grip

Answer 27

Holding an instrument or scissors in a steady position with the index finger on the box lock hinge and the thumb and ring finger partly in the ring handles for ease of release.

Question 28

undermining

Answer 28

Dissection of subsurface tissue planes. Care is taken not to devascularize upper layers of tissue.