Common Surgical Terminologies and Perioperative Care

Comprehensive list of surgical terms, classifications, legal requirements, medications, and preoperative procedures.

Intraoperative Phase

Begins when the decision is made to undergo surgical intervention and ends when the patient is transferred to the operating room.

Operative Phase

Begins with placement of the patient on the OR bed and continues until admission to a post-procedure or postoperative area.

Postoperative Phase

Begins after the surgical procedure is completed and the patient is admitted to the PACU or discharged home.

Surgical Conscience

Awareness developed from knowledge of the importance of strict adherence to aseptic and sterile techniques.

Surgery

Branch of medicine that encompasses preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care.

Surgical Procedure

Procedure involving cutting or otherwise penetrating the body’s tissues.

Perforation

Rupture of an organ, artery, or bleb.

Obstruction

Blockage of a body structure.

Erosion

Wearing away of a surface of a tissue.

Tumor

Abnormal growth of tissue.

Diagnostic Surgery

Surgery performed to determine the cause of illness or confirm a diagnosis.

Biopsy

Diagnostic procedure used to verify a suspected diagnosis by examining tissue.

Palliative Surgery

Surgery performed to relieve symptoms without curing the disease.

Curative Surgery

Surgery performed to remove or repair damaged, diseased, or congenitally malformed organs or tissues.

Ablative Surgery

Curative procedure involving removal of diseased organs.

Nephrectomy

Example of ablative surgery involving removal of the kidney.

Appendectomy

Example of ablative surgery involving removal of the appendix.

Reconstructive Surgery

Surgery involving partial or complete restoration of a damaged organ or tissue to its original appearance and function.

Exploratory Surgery

Surgery performed to estimate the extent of a disease or injury.

-plasty

Suffix associated with procedures involving surgical repair or reconstruction.

-orrhaphy

Suffix meaning surgical repair.

-pexy

Suffix associated with surgical fixation or suspension.

Emergent Surgery

Surgery that must be performed immediately to preserve life, a body part, or body function because the disorder may be life-threatening.

Urgent Surgery

Surgery necessary for the client’s health and usually performed within $24-48$ hours.

Required Surgery

Surgery for a condition that requires treatment within a few weeks.

Elective Surgery

Surgery that is pre-planned, can be scheduled in advance based on the client’s choice, and for which delaying the procedure has no serious ill effects.

Optional Surgery

Surgery requested by the patient generally for aesthetic or psychological reasons, scheduled completely according to client preference.

Major Surgery

Surgery that is complicated or prolonged and may involve a large amount of blood loss or handling/removal of vital organs.

Colectomy

Example of major surgery involving removal or examination of a large section of tissue from the colon.

Minor Surgery

Surgery involving less risk and producing few complications.

Cyst Removal

Example of minor surgery.

Ambulatory Surgery

Surgery performed without requiring prolonged hospitalization, allowing the patient to return home after the procedure.

Informed Consent / Operative Permit

Legal document that protects the surgeon and hospital against claims of unauthorized surgery and protects the client from undergoing unauthorized surgery.

Surgeon

Person responsible for obtaining the operative permit or informed consent and making the surgical site mark.

Nurse as Client Advocate

Healthcare professional who confirms that the client understands the information given regarding consent.

Emancipated Client

Patient who is legally allowed to sign their own consent despite being under the usual age of majority.

Emergency Consent Criteria

1. Immediate threat to Life; 2. Situation is an Emergency; 3. Client is unable to Consent; 4. Legally authorized person cannot be Reached.

Site Marking

Clearly identifiable mark placed to indicate the correct surgical site which must remain visible after the patient is prepared and Draped.

Steroids

Medication that should not be discontinued abruptly before surgery.

Anticoagulants and Salicylates

Medications that may increase bleeding during and after surgery.

Antibiotics

Medications that may be incompatible with or potentiate anesthetic agents.

Tranquilizers

Medications that potentiate narcotics, may cause hypotension, and produce a tranquil state.

Antihypertensives

Medications that may predispose the patient to shock due to combined BP reduction and anesthetic vasodilation.

Diuretics

Medications that may increase potassium loss.

Leg and Foot Exercises

Exercise that stimulates circulation and prevents venous stasis, thrombus formation, thrombophlebitis, and emboli.

Diaphragmatic Breathing and Coughing

Exercises performed every $2-4$ hours to improve lung aeration, mobilize secretions, and prevent Atelectasis and Hypostatic Pneumonia.

Incentive Spirometer

Device that stimulates spontaneous deep breathing and helps prevent atelectasis.

Electric Clipper

Recommended method for removing hair $1-2\,mm$ from the skin before surgery to avoid skin breakdown.

Sedative

Medication given to decrease anxiety, lower BP and pulse, and reduce the amount of general anesthesia required.

Narcotic Analgesia

Medication group (e.g., Morphine Sulfate, Fentanyl) used to reduce anxiety and decrease the amount of narcotic needed during surgery.

Vagolytic/Drying Agents

Medication group (e.g., Atropine Sulfate) used to reduce tracheobronchial secretions to prevent pulmonary complications.

Woolen or Synthetic Blankets

Type of blankets that should never be sent to the OR because they can produce static electricity.