What are hemorrhoids? Hemorrhoidectomy surgery may be painful, but different procedures to remove less serious hemorrhoids may be painless. Hemorrhoids, commonly known as piles, are engorged veins located around the anus or in the lower rectum. Hemorrhoids occur as a result of excessive straining, usually during defecation. Hemorrhoids are either internal or external, depending on...
What is a biliary stent? A biliary stent is a tube surgically placed to keep the bile duct open. A biliary stent is a plastic or metal tube inserted into a bile duct. Biliary stenting is a procedure that opens the obstructed bile duct. Obstructed bile duct leads to the accumulation of bile in the...
What is a bullectomy? Bullectomy is the surgical removal of a bulla. Bulla or bullae is a pathological condition of the lungs caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Bulla of the lung develops when emphysema (COPD) damages the lungs to an extent that air pockets start developing. These air pockets increase in size and...
What is diagnostic laparoscopy? Laparoscopy procedure usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. Diagnostic laparoscopy is a surgical procedure that evaluates the causes of pain, bleeding, lumps, or diseases in the abdomen. Diagnostic laparoscopy is also called exploratory laparoscopy. This procedure is done under local anesthesia. During the procedure, a few small incisions are made, a...
What is bronchial thermoplasty? Bronchial thermoplasty is a procedure to heat and destroy some of the muscle lining the bronci, or airways into the lung. This prevents the bronci from spasming as much, preventing asthma attacks. Bronchial thermoplasty is a procedure used to treat severe asthma. It involves controlled delivery of therapeutic radiofrequency energy to the...
What is cardiac catheterization? Cardiac catheterization, also known as cardiac cath or heart cath, is a procedure to examine the functioning of the heart. A thin, narrow tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel of an arm or a leg, and is guided to the arteries of the heart using an X-ray...
What are the important functions of the liver? A liver biopsy is a procedure that involves inserting a small needle into the liver to collect a tissue sample. The liver is the body’s largest internal organ that performs multiple body functions. The liver synthesizes the body's proteins, blood clotting factors, components of lipid (cholesterol), glycogen,...
What is ankle taping and bracing? Ankle taping and bracing provides stability to the ankle joint during athletic activity; whether to protect the joint from injury or to stabilize and existing injury. Ankle sprains are one of the most common sports-related injuries in the United States which can result in significant breaks from sports, training...
What is an ampullectomy? Ampullectomy can be performed as open surgery and laparoscopic surgery. An ampullectomy is the surgical removal of the entire ampulla of Vater. The ampulla of Vater or ampulla is the small projection into the duodenum through which bile and pancreatic secretions flow to mix with food for digestion. Ampullectomy can be...
What is an echocardiogram? EKG helps the doctor diagnose various heart conditions. An echocardiogram (EKG) is a painless test that uses ultrasound to show the structure and function of the heart muscle. The ultrasound waves create pictures of the heart so the doctor can diagnose any abnormalities of the heart. What does an echocardiogram test...