Medical Terms
Below, you will find boxes with medical terms that you will encounter and be expected to use during your surgical rotation. We have included these to serve as a launching…
Read MoreDiverticulosis
Diverticulosis refers to abnormal pouching of the colonic wall. The term “divertikel” was coined by Fleischman in 1815. Jean Cruveilhier described herniations through the muscular layer of the colon in…
Read MoreIleus, postoperative
Ileus occurs when there is intestinal distention and either slowing or no passage of luminal contents without a demonstrable mechanical obstruction. The term “ileus” is derived from the Greek word…
Read MoreFournier Gangrene
Fournier gangrene is a fulminant form of necrotizing fasciitis that affects the perineal, genital, or perianal regions. It was first described in 1883 by Alfred Fournier, a French dermatologist and…
Read MoreSurgical Incisions
On this page, you’ll find common or once-common surgical incisions. Knowing different types of incisions can give you an idea of a patient’s surgical history after visual inspection during the…
Read MoreLarge Bowel Obstruction
Large bowel obstruction occurs when there is a bowel obstruction distal to the ileocecal valve. Bowel obstructions have been documented as early as 1550 B.C. in the Papyrus. Etiology History…
Read MoreColonic Pseudo-obstruction
Colonic pseudo-obstruction (Ogilvie syndrome) occurs when there is acute dilation of the colon with no mechanical obstruction. It was first described in 1948 by the British surgeon William Heneage Ogilvie.…
Read MoreColectomy, right laparoscopic
Right colectomy, or right hemicolectomy, is the surgical removal of the right, or ascending, colon with anastomosis of the remaining ends. It involves division of the ileocolic and right colic…
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