ACVS Veterinary Surgery key terms

A set of practices that keeps surgical wounds and sterile fields free of microorganisms, including sterile gowns and gloves, sterile drapes, instrument sterilization, and caps and masks for the surgical team.

The complete destruction or removal of all microorganisms, including bacterial spores, from instruments and supplies, typically achieved by steam autoclaving, ethylene oxide, or hydrogen peroxide gas plasma.

Disinfection of heat-sensitive equipment by soaking in chemical solutions such as glutaraldehyde or by exposure to low-temperature gas, which reduces but may not fully eliminate all microbial life.

Basic tenets of safe surgery: gentle tissue handling, meticulous hemostasis, preservation of blood supply, strict asepsis, minimal tension on tissues, accurate apposition, and avoidance of dead space.

A closed cavity left within tissues after surgery where blood or serum can accumulate, creating a medium for infection; it is managed by obliterating the space with sutures, drains, or compressive bandages.

The process of stopping bleeding during surgery, achieved by ligature, electrocautery, vascular clips, pressure, or topical hemostatic agents to maintain a clear field and prevent hematoma formation.

A strand of suture material tied around a vessel or duct to occlude it, commonly used for hemostasis or to close off structures such as the cystic or uterine stump.

Named configurations of stitches used to appose tissue, such as simple interrupted, simple continuous, cruciate, mattress, and purse-string patterns, each chosen for its holding strength and effect on tissue perfusion.

A suture placed to reduce tension across a wound edge, often using far-near/near-far bites or stents, so that the primary closure line is not subjected to distracting forces during healing.

Wound healing in which clean, apposed surgical edges unite directly with minimal granulation tissue and a thin scar, typical of a well-closed aseptic incision.

Healing of an open wound left to close by granulation tissue contraction and epithelialization, used when wounds are contaminated, infected, or cannot be apposed without excessive tension.

An infection developing at or near a surgical incision within a defined postoperative period, classified as superficial, deep, or organ/space, and influenced by patient, procedure, and environmental factors.

A drain connected to a suction device, such as a closed Jackson-Pratt or Hemovac system, that actively removes fluid from a surgical site while limiting retrograde contamination.

A drain that relies on gravity and capillary action rather than suction to remove fluid, such as a Penrose drain, which must exit through a separate stab incision and be managed to limit contamination.

Failure of the ligament stabilizing the canine stifle, causing lameness and stifle instability; treated surgically by techniques such as tibial plateau leveling osteotomy or lateral suture stabilization.

A stifle-stabilizing procedure in dogs in which a radial osteotomy of the proximal tibia is rotated to reduce the tibial plateau slope, neutralizing cranial tibial thrust without replacing the cruciate ligament.

Tearing of the fibrocartilaginous meniscus, most often the medial meniscus after cruciate ligament rupture, causing pain and clicking; treatment involves partial meniscectomy of the damaged portion.

A life-threatening condition in large-breed dogs in which the stomach distends with gas and rotates, impairing venous return; emergency treatment includes decompression, shock therapy, and gastropexy.

Surgical fixation of the stomach to the body wall, commonly performed prophylactically or after gastric dilatation-volvulus, to prevent recurrence of gastric rotation.

A surgical incision into the abdominal cavity to examine and treat intra-abdominal disease, requiring systematic evaluation of organs and careful closure of the linea alba.

An incision through the wall of the intestine, typically to remove a foreign body or obtain a biopsy, closed transversely to avoid narrowing the lumen.

A surgical connection between two tubular structures, such as intestinal segments or vessels, created by suturing or stapling to restore continuity after resection.

Removal of a diseased segment of intestine or other tubular organ followed by reconnection of the remaining ends, used for lesions such as ischemia, neoplasia, or irreparable obstruction.

A surgical procedure in male cats that creates a permanent opening from the urethra to the perineal skin, relieving recurrent urethral obstruction or stricture.

Blockage of urine flow, most often by urethral plugs or stones in male cats, causing life-threatening hyperkalemia and azotemia that require immediate relief and stabilization.

Surgical stabilization of a broken bone using implants such as plates, screws, pins, or external fixators to restore alignment and allow healing under controlled load.

A device in which pins or wires inserted into bone are connected to an external frame to stabilize fractures, useful for open or highly comminuted fractures and for gradual correction of deformity.

A planned surgical cut through bone, performed to correct angular limb deformity, change biomechanics, or access underlying structures, and subsequently stabilized with fixation implants.

Emergency abdominal surgery in horses to diagnose and treat the cause of abdominal pain, including intestinal displacement, strangulation, or impaction, often requiring resection of compromised bowel.

Surgical removal of the testes, performed in many species for population control, behavior management, or treatment of testicular disease, with technique adapted to age and species.

Failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum, requiring surgical removal of the retained testis because of increased risk of neoplasia and torsion.

Surgical delivery of offspring through an abdominal incision, indicated for dystocia or maternal distress, with attention to anesthesia safety for the dam and prompt neonatal care.

Difficult or prolonged parturition caused by maternal or fetal factors, which may require obstetric manipulation, medical therapy, or cesarean section when vaginal delivery is not possible.

Removal of a tumor with a narrow rim of normal tissue, appropriate for benign lesions but associated with higher recurrence risk for malignant tumors compared with wide excision.

Removal of a tumor along with a substantial margin of surrounding normal tissue and often the underlying fascial plane, intended to achieve local control of malignant neoplasia.

Systematic assessment of a tumor's size, local invasiveness, and spread to lymph nodes or distant sites, used to guide treatment decisions and estimate prognosis.

Removal of a bone or soft tissue tumor with reconstruction of the limb, such as an endoprosthesis or allograft, as an alternative to amputation for selected appendicular tumors.

Surgical removal of a limb or digit, performed for neoplasia, severe trauma, or non-salvageable disease, with attention to pain control and postoperative function.