acronyms

AAA

Repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm — repairs a weakened/ballooning area of the abdominal aorta

ACF

Anterior cervical fusion — fusion of cervical vertebrae

ACL

Anterior cruciate ligament — repair or reconstruction of the ACL

AKA

Above the knee amputation — removal of the leg above the knee

ALIF

Anterior lumbar interbody fusion — lumbar spinal fusion approached from the front

AV Graft

Arteriovenous graft — connects an artery and vein for hemodialysis access

BKA

Below the knee amputation — removal of the leg below the knee

BMT

Bilateral myringotomy with tubes — openings made in both eardrums with tubes placed for drainage

BSO

Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy — removal of both fallopian tubes and ovaries

CABG

Coronary artery bypass graft — creates a new blood route around a blocked coronary artery

CR

Closed reduction — treats a fractured bone without a surgical incision

D&C

Dilation and curettage — dilates the cervix and scrapes the uterine lining

EGD

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy — visual examination of the upper GI tract through the duodenum

ESS

Endoscopic sinus surgery — endoscopic surgery of the nose/sinuses

EUA

Exam under anesthesia — examination of a sensitive body part while the patient is under anesthesia

I&D

Incision and drainage — opens and drains pus or fluid from an infected area

ICD

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator — implanted device that can deliver an electrical shock for abnormal heart rhythms

IMN

Intramedullary nail — nail/rod placed inside the medullary cavity of a long bone

IOL

Intraocular lens — lens implanted in the eye to treat cataracts

IORT

Intraoperative radiation therapy — radiation delivered directly to an exposed tumor during surgery

LAVH

Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy — laparoscopic procedure followed by removal of the uterus through the vagina

L&B

Laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy — visual examination of the larynx and bronchi

LP

Lumbar puncture — collection of cerebrospinal fluid; commonly called a spinal tap

MIDCAB

Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass — bypass surgery performed through a small incision between the ribs

MIS

Minimally invasive surgery — surgery using endoscopic techniques to reduce trauma

ORIF

Open reduction internal fixation — treats a fracture through an incision using plates, screws, or pins

PAL

Power-assisted liposuction — removes fat using a motorized handpiece and cannula

PCI

Percutaneous coronary intervention — opens narrowed coronary arteries

PDA

Patent ductus arteriosus — repair of a congenital heart disorder in a newborn

PEG

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy — feeding tube placed into the stomach through the abdominal wall

PICC

Peripherally inserted central catheter — catheter placed in a vein for long-term IV access

PLIF

Posterior lumbar interbody fusion — lumbar spinal fusion approached from the back

STSG

Split thickness skin graft — healthy skin is removed and used as a graft elsewhere

TAH

Total abdominal hysterectomy — removal of the uterus through an abdominal incision

TEE

Transesophageal echocardiogram — ultrasound image of the heart using a probe placed in the esophagus

THA

Total hip arthroplasty — reconstruction/replacement of the hip joint

TKA

Total knee arthroplasty — reconstruction/replacement of the knee joint

TURP

Transurethral resection of the prostate — removes part of the prostate using instruments passed through the urethra

VATS

Video assisted thoracoscopic surgery — endoscopic surgery used to access the chest, lungs, or thorax

VP Shunt

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt — drains excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain into the abdomen

Wound VAC

Wound vacuum-assisted closure — uses gentle suction to help a wound heal

XLIF

Extreme lateral interbody fusion — spinal fusion approached from the patient's side