acronyms without atarting lketters

AAA — Repair of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Repairs a weakened or ballooning area of the abdominal portion of the aorta

ACF — Anterior Cervical Fusion

Surgically joins vertebrae in the neck using an approach from the front/side

ACL — Anterior Cruciate Ligament

Repairs or reconstructs a major ligament of the knee; reconstruction may use a graft

AKA — Above the Knee Amputation

Surgically removes the leg above the knee

ALIF — Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Joins vertebrae in the lower spine using bone grafts or implants through an approach from the front

AV Graft — Arteriovenous Graft

Creates a connection between an artery and vein to provide access for hemodialysis

BKA — Below the Knee Amputation

Surgically removes the leg below the knee

BMT — Bilateral Myringotomy with Tubes

Makes openings in both eardrums and places tubes to allow drainage

BSO — Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy

Surgically removes both fallopian tubes and both ovaries

CABG — Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

Creates a new route for blood around a blocked heart artery using a blood vessel as a graft

CR — Closed Reduction

Treats a fractured bone without making a surgical incision

D&C — Dilation and Curettage

Opens the cervix and scrapes the inner lining of the uterus

EGD — Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Uses a scope to examine the upper digestive tract through the duodenum

ESS — Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Uses a scope and instruments to perform surgery inside the nose

EUA — Exam Under Anesthesia

Allows a sensitive body area to be surgically examined while the patient is under anesthesia

I&D — Incision and Drainage

Opens an abscess, wound, boil, or infected area to remove pus or fluid

ICD — Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

Places a battery-powered device in the body that can deliver an electrical shock to treat abnormal heart rhythms

IMN — Intramedullary Nail

Places a rod or nail inside the inner cavity of a long bone such as the femur or tibia

IOL — Intraocular Lens

Places an artificial lens inside the eye to treat cataracts

IORT — Intraoperative Radiation Therapy

Delivers therapeutic radiation directly to an exposed cancerous tumor during surgery

LAVH — Laparoscopic-Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy

Uses a scope to view or treat pelvic organs, followed by removal of the uterus through the vagina

L&B — Laryngoscopy and Bronchoscopy

Uses a scope to visually examine the larynx and bronchi

LP — Lumbar Puncture

Collects cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes; commonly called a spinal tap

MIDCAB — Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass

Uses a small incision between the ribs to access the heart and bypass diseased arteries

MIS — Minimally Invasive Surgery

Uses endoscopic techniques and instruments to perform surgery while reducing trauma

ORIF — Open Reduction Internal Fixation

Treats a fractured bone through an incision and uses plates, screws, or pins to hold the bone together

PAL — Power-Assisted Liposuction

Removes fat cells by suction using a motorized handpiece and cannula

PCI — Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Opens narrowed arteries that supply blood to the heart

PDA — Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Repairs a congenital heart disorder in a newborn

PEG — Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy

Places a feeding tube into the stomach through the abdominal wall

PICC — Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter

Places a catheter into a vein to provide long-term IV access

PLIF — Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Joins vertebrae in the lower spine using bone grafts or implants through an approach from the back

STSG — Split Thickness Skin Graft

Removes healthy epidermis and part of the dermis so the skin can be grafted to another area

TAH — Total Abdominal Hysterectomy

Surgically removes the uterus through an incision in the abdomen

TEE — Transesophageal Echocardiogram

Produces an ultrasound image of the heart using a probe placed in the esophagus

THA — Total Hip Arthroplasty

Reconstructs the hip joint by removing damaged bone and placing implants

TKA — Total Knee Arthroplasty

Reconstructs the knee joint using implants to create a rebuilt joint

TURP — Transurethral Resection of the Prostate

Removes part of the prostate using instruments passed through the urethra

VATS — Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Uses endoscopic instruments to access the chest cavity, lungs, or thorax

VP Shunt — Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

Drains excess cerebrospinal fluid from a brain ventricle into the abdominal lining

Wound VAC — Wound Vacuum-Assisted Closure

Applies gentle suction to a wound to help promote healing

XLIF — Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion

Joins vertebrae using a surgical approach from the patient's side designed to reduce trauma