Surgical Care

Articles about surgery and recovery.

Minimally Invasive Total Hip Replacement

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In recent years many patients have been treated with minimally invasive total hip replacements. The primary difference between minimally invasive and conventional approaches is how the surgeon exposes and gains access to the hip joint. With the conventional approach, the incision is 10-16 inches long, whereas minimally invasive incisions are one or two small incisions about 4 inches long; one incision is for the acetabular component and one is for the femoral component.

Carotid Artery Disease, Endarterectomy and Stenting

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Carotid endarterectomy is the surgical removal of fatty plaque build up from any of the four carotid arteries that supply blood to the neck. Carotid endarterectomy is a preventive measure to prevent strokes. Carotid endarterectomy is usually recommended following a series of strokelike attacks called transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) that suggest a full-scale stroke is … Read more

Anesthesia

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This article is about anesthesia administered by injection or inhalation for the purpose of performing tests or surgery. Anesthesia is used when the pain from the surgery or procedure would be so bad that the patient would not be able to tolerate it. Also, the body’s response to the pain would also prohibit many types of surgery from being done. Surgical anesthesia is a depth of anesthesia that relaxes the muscles along with loss of sensation and consciousness to a level where surgery can be performed.

Cholecystectomy to Remove Gallbladder

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Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. More than 500,000 cholecystectomies are performed each year in the U.S. Cholecystectomy is usually done for gallstones and can be performed as either an open or laparoscopic surgery.

Appendectomy and Appendicitis

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The surgical removal of the appendix—an appendectomy—is the only effective treatment for acute appendicitis. An appendectomy is usually performed to prevent rupture of an inflamed appendix, and is often done as an emergency surgery. Emergency surgeries are urgent and usually life saving. If the appendix ruptures (bursts), there is an overwhelming risk of infection and complications.

Shoulder Arthroscopy

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Unfortunately, shoulder injuries are common. A relatively simple and safe procedure, called shoulder arthroscopy, can be performed to diagnose and treat many shoulder injuries and diseases. These surgeries are performed by orthopedic surgeons. Shoulder arthroscopy is done using a small camera called an arthroscope. The surgeon enters the shoulder with the arthroscope via a small … Read more

Episiotomy

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An episiotomy is a minor surgical procedure where the skin and underlying muscle of the perineum—the area between the vagina and the rectum—is cut in order to assist in childbirth by enlarging the birth canal opening and allowing the baby to pass through more easily. Although episiotomies are common, they are not routine.

Knee Arthroscopy

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Knee arthroscopy is a popular method to diagnose, monitor and treat knee problems. Arthroscopy is used to treat meniscus and ligament injuries, wear and tear problems and problems with the kneecap. It typically causes much less pain than other kinds of surgery. Healing time can be much shorter, patients usually go home on the same day. Also, it leaves small scars.

Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammoplasty)

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Breast reductions are usually performed on women whose breasts are fully developed. Only in cases of severe physical discomfort would breast reduction be performed on very young women whose breasts are still developing. The best candidates are women mature enough to understand the entire surgical procedure and who have realistic expectations of the results.