Introduction to the Operating Room

LESSON 2: Operating Room Personnel, Policies, and Nomenclature
 

2-3

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2-3. INCISION PROCEDURES

a. Discussion. Incision is a cutting into, a formation of an opening. The suffixes commonly used for operations classified as incisions are:

(1) -(o)tomy--to cut into.

 

(2) -(o)stomy--to provide with an opening.

 

(3) -centesis--puncture or perforation.

b. Otomy Procedures. Otomy procedures, with examples, include the following:

(1) Exploratory operation.

 

Laparotomy--cutting into the peritoneal cavity for exploratory purposes.

 

(2) Removal of foreign bodies.

(a) Accidental.

 

Sclerotomy--removal of a foreign body from the eye.

 

(b) Therapeutic.

 

Arthrotomy--removal of a surgical nail, pin, screw, and so forth, from a joint.

 

(c) Pathological.

 

Nephrolithotomy--removal of kidney stones.

(3) Division of a structure.

 

Myotomy--cutting or dissection of a muscle; also neurotomy, tenotomy.

 

(4) Decompression.

 

Craniotomy--cutting into the skull for relief of pressure on the brain.

c. Ostomy Procedures. Ostomy procedures, with examples, include the following:

(1) Surgical creation of an artificial passageway.

 

Gastrostomy--an artificial passageway through the abdominal wall to the stomach.

 

(2) Formation of an artificial opening.

 

Colostomy--formation of an opening in the abdominal wall for

exteriorization of the colon.

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