What is a digital amputation? A digital amputation is the surgical removal of a portion of a finger, which can include the tip, end, or joint due to severe injury or elective surgery for a condition that has affected the finger. A digital amputation involves surgical removal of a part of a finger. When are digital amputations performed? Digital amputations...
What Is Aspiration of the Olecranon Bursa?
What is the olecranon bursa? Aspiration of the olecranon bursa is the drainage by needle of the fluid inside the lubricating fluid sack (bursa) at the tip of the elbow. The olecranon is the pointed bone at the tip of the elbow. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac at the tip of the elbow. The bursa helps the skin glide...
What Is a Bristow Procedure?
What is a Bristow procedure? The Bristow procedure fixes shoulder instability due to shoulder blade (scapula) deformity. Bristow procedure and its variants are performed to treat shoulder instability caused by shoulder blade problems (glenoid defects). The outer end on the scapula (shoulder blade) is called the glenoid. It meets the head of the humerus (the bone of the upper arm) to...
Why Is Decortication Performed?
What is decortication? Decortication is a surgical procedure that removes the restrictive layer of fibrous tissue overlying an organ. It is mostly performed to remove the fibrous layer over the lung, chest wall, and diaphragm. Pleura is a thin membrane that lines the outer surface of the lungs (visceral pleura) and the inner surface of the chest wall (parietal pleura). The...
What Is Breath Sound Assessment?
What is breath sound assessment? Breath sound assessment is a standardized way doctors listen to the sound your lungs make. This helps them diagnose various lung problems. Clinical evaluation of breath sounds is the first and most common method of assessing lung health. The stethoscope placed on the back and chest lets the physician listen to the breath sounds. This...
What Is Ankle Arthrocentesis?
What is ankle arthrocentesis? Ankle arthrocentesis is the drainage by needle of fluid inside the ankle joint. Arthrocentesis (joint aspiration) is a diagnostic procedure where the body’s synovial joint lubrication fluid is drained using a sterile needle and syringe. Ankle arthrocentesis is an important procedure used for diagnosing arthritis and differential diagnosis of inflammatory and noninflammatory arthritis. Arthrocentesis can also...
What Is Aspiration of the Olecranon Bursa?
What is the olecranon bursa? Aspiration of the olecranon bursa is the drainage by needle of the fluid inside the lubricating fluid sack (bursa) at the tip of the elbow. The olecranon is the pointed bone at the tip of the elbow. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac at the tip of the elbow. The bursa helps the skin glide...
What Is Distal Gastrectomy Surgery?
What is a distal gastrectomy? A distal gastrectomy or antrectomy removes part of the stomach and stitches the remainder with an opening into the small intestine. Antrectomy (distal gastrectomy) is a procedure that involves surgical removal of the lower 30% of the stomach (antrum). Distal gastrectomy is a type of partial gastrectomy that involves the surgical removal of only a...
What Is a Bristow Procedure?
What is a Bristow procedure? The Bristow procedure fixes shoulder instability due to shoulder blade (scapula) deformity. Bristow procedure and its variants are performed to treat shoulder instability caused by shoulder blade problems (glenoid defects). The outer end on the scapula (shoulder blade) is called the glenoid. It meets the head of the humerus (the bone of the upper arm) to...
What Does an Echocardiogram Test For? Heart Conditions
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 for? An echocardiogram checks how the heart’s...