Veterinary Surgery Terminology

Terminology in Veterinary Surgery

• Veterinary surgery terms are composed of a prefix and a suffix
• The prefix refers to the organ or structure involved
• The suffix denotes the type of procedure

-OTOMY

• Surgical procedure in which a structure is cut

Gastrotomy

• A procedure in which an incision is made into the stomach
• Typically to obtain a gastric biopsy or remove a foreign body
• The incision is then sutured closed

Cystotomy

• Is a procedure in which an incision is made into the urinary bladder
• Typically done to remove urinary calculi (stones) or obtain bladder wall biopsies
• The incision is then sutured closed

Celiotomy

• A procedure in which an incision is made through the abdominal wall
• Laparotomy is used interchangeably but describes an abdominal approach through a flank

-ECTOMY

• Surgical procedure in which a portion of tissue is removed / resected

Ovariohysterectomy

• Procedure in which the ovaries and uterus are surgically removed
• prevents cycling, pregnancy, and the development of uterine infections (pyometra)
• Commonly known as a "spay" procedure

Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy

• Procedure in which the head and neck of the femur are surgically removed
• Frequently performed to palliate dogs with hip dysplasia
• Commonly known as an FHO

-STOMY

• Surgical procedure in which a new opening is created on a temporary or permanent basis

Tracheostomy

• Procedure in which a new permanent opening ostomy) is created through the skin of the neck into the trachea
• It's the surgical formation of an opening into the trachea through the neck especially to allow the passage of air

Gastrostomy (tube)

• is a procedure in which a tube is placed through the body wall and into the stomach
• creates a new, temporary opening in the stomach
• surgical formation of an opening through the abdominal wall into the stomach
• tube is typically used to feed a patient that is anorexic or that cannot tolerate oral feeding

Urethrostomy

• Procedure in which a new permanent opening (-ostomy) is created in the urethra (urethro-) that communicates with the skin
• For example, a scrotal urethrostomy

-PLASTY

• Surgical procedure in which an alteration is performed to an organ or body structure
• It is usually permanent, like plastic surgery
• Also used as a suffix when an artificial prosthesis is implanted to replace an original body part

Hip Arthroplasty

• Total hip arthroplasty is a surgical procedure that involves replacing the hip joint (arthro-) with a prosthetic implant (-plasty)
• Also known as ‘total hip replacement’

Cheiloplasty

• Surgical procedure that involves the repair or surgical modification (-plasty) of the lip (cheilo-).

Vulvoplasty

• Surgical procedure that surgically changes the shape (-plasty) of the vulva (vulvo-).
• Often performed to correct an underdeveloped vulva or a vulva that is recessed due to excessive perineal fat in an overweight patient

-PEXY

• Surgical procedure in which a permanent or temporary adhesion is created between two structures
• Usually using suture, sometimes using a tube
• The word pexy is derived from the Greek word pêxy, which means union or fixation
• Fixation of tissues is performed to try to restore the anatomy and function of the organ

Gastropexy

• Procedure in which the stomach (gastro-) is affixed (-pexy) to the abdominal wall.
• Typically performed to prevent the recurrence of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) in dogs.

-OSCOPY

• Surgical procedure involving the use of an optical instrument (an endoscope, an otoscope, an arthroscope, etc.) to visualize organs or structures
• Laparoscopic techniques have been developed in veterinary medicine for noninvasive evaluation of several organs
• Including liver, extrahepatic biliary system, pancreas, kidneys, spleen, bowel, and genitourinary tract
• Biopsy procedures of these organs with minimal risk can be performed in most patients

Laparoscopy

• Laparoscopy is a procedure in which an optical instrument (laparoscope) is used to visualize the abdominal organs (laparo-) in a minimally invasive manner

-RRHAPHY

• Surgical procedure in which a structure is sutured or repaired

Herniorraphy

• Describes the surgical repair (-rrhaphy) of a hernia (hernio-)
• Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is common secondary to being hit by a car

Cystorrhaphy

• The surgical repair (-rrhaphy) of a tear in the bladder wall (cysto-).

-CENTESIS

• Surgical procedure in which a cavity or structure is punctured to aspirate fluid, air or tissue
• Paracentesis is sometimes used synonymously

Abdominocentesis

• Involves puncture (-centesis) of the abdominal cavity (abdomino-) using a small trocar or needle
• Typically performed to aspirate free abdominal fluid (also known as effusion)

Thoracocentesis

• Involves puncture (-centesis) of the thoracic cavity (thoraco-) to aspirate free fluid or air
• Surgical puncture of the thoracic wall to remove air (pneumothorax) or fluid (pleural effusion) from the pleural space
• Frequently performed to treat pneumothorax (pneumo=air), a condition in which free air accumulates within the thoracic cavity and compresses the lungs causing respiratory difficulty