Surgical Terminology

Question 1

-centesis

Answer 1

to pierce

e.g. cytocentesis, thoracocentesis, abdominocentesis

Question 2

-desis

Answer 2

a binding

e.g. arthrodesis - sx fusion of a joint, tenodesis - anchoring of tendon

Question 3

-ectomy

Answer 3

to excise

e.g. overiohysterectomy - spay, orchiectomy - neuter, onychechtomy - removal of nail

Question 4

-ostomy

Answer 4

creation of an artifical surgical opening; usually denotes one that will be maintained long-term (after completion of procedure)

e.g. perneal urethrostomy - urethra exteriorized and sutured to perineum

Question 5

-otomy

Answer 5

creation of a surgical opening; usually denotes a temporary opening that will be closed at the completion of the procedure

e.g. urethrotomy, athrotomy, laparotomy (flank), celiotomy (abdomen)

Question 6

-pexy

Answer 6

fixation

e.g. gastropexy, colopexy

Question 7

-plasty

Answer 7

formed or shaped

e.g. episioplasty - reshaping vulva, blepharoplasty - reshaping palpebrae with ectropion/entropion

Question 8

-orrhaphy

Answer 8

suture

e.g. herniorrhaphy - suture closure of hernia

Question 9

What are #10 blades used for? #11? #12? #15? #20?

Answer 9

10 - most commonly used, linear incisions of skin or CT

Question 10

In what cases would you prefer to utilize the fingertip grip vs. the pencil grip or the palm grip for a scalpel?

Answer 10

• fingertip grip - long incisions w/ #10 blade, hold parallel to skin to provide stability and accuracy
• pencil grip - increases angle of blade to 30-40 degress, allows more control for shorter, precise incisions
• palm grip - most powerful, rarely used

Question 11

Scissors allow more ____ in cutting redundant tissue than scalpel blades, but _____ tissue trauma due to shearing between blades

Answer 11

control; increase

Question 12

Why might you use Metzenbaum scissors vs. Mayo?

Answer 12

Metzenbaums are fine dissecting scissors used in delicate tissue only (e.g. SQ, bladder, stomach), while Mayo scissors are heavier scissors used for cutting dense CT (fascia)

Question 13

What are Brown-Adson forceps used for? Adsons? DeBakeys

Answer 13

BA: most commonly used, allow grip w/o major trauma to blood vessels

A: grasping skin

D: atraumatic forceps used in grasping blood vessels or delicate organs (e.g. bladder, bowel)

Question 14

Halstead mosquito and Kelly forceps are used for what?

Answer 14

Grasping small, isolated vessels

Question 15

Carmalt forceps are used for what?

Answer 15

grasping and crushing larger pedicles (e.g. ovarian)

Question 16

Doyen intestinal forceps are used for what?

Answer 16

occluding hollow organs - non-crushing forceps

Question 17

What are the three types of grips used commonly for needle holders and why might you use each of them?

Answer 17

1. palming: rapid manipulation of needle holder w/o removing fingers, increasing speed
2. thenar-eminence grip: similar to palming, but 3rd finger placed thru one handle
3. thumb-third finger grip: allows increased precision in suturing, but slows manipulation of the instrument

Question 18

What type of needle holders are used commonly for ophthalmic procedures?

Answer 18

Castroviejo

Question 19

What are 3 examples of self-retaining retractors and what procedures are they commonly used in?

Answer 19

1. Balfour - abdominal retractors, exploratory celiotomies
2. Finochetto - rib retractors, thoracotomy
3. Gelpi - retract mm and skin during approaches to spine or long bones

Question 20

What are 3 examples of hand-held retractors and the procedurse they’d be used for?

Answer 20

1. Senn - mm retraction in orthopedic procedures
2. Malleable - abdominal sx to retract friable organs (e.g. liver)
3. Hohmann - lever tibia cranially during stifle arthrotomy for menisci evaluation

Question 21

What are 3 types of suction tips and what procedures might they be used for?

Answer 21

1. Poole - fenestrated cover; abdominal procedures
2. Yankauer - basket-shaped tip for directed suction; thoracic sx
3. Frazier - angled metal tubes allowing fine control - maximal trauma when misused; neurosx or othropedic procedures

Question 22

What are basic instrument cleaning instructions?

Answer 22

• rinse to remove blood/debris immediately after use w/ deionized or distilled water
• use mild detergent and scrub w/ hand brush to remove soil or use auto instrument washer
• open hinged instruments during cleaning/sterilization to allow access to all surfaces
• do not wash instruments of different metals together
• rinse instruments w/ DI water to remove detergent
• instrument milk can be applied to “stiff” closing instruments
• plastic instruments may be gas sterilized using ethylene oxide