Glossary of Clinical Vet Surgery: A to Z

Clinical Veterinary Surgery

The branch of veterinary medicine that involves the application of surgical techniques to diagnose, treat, or manage diseases, injuries, or abnormalities in animals. It encompasses a wide range of procedures, including soft tissue surgery (e.g., organ or skin operations), orthopedic surgery (e.g., bone and joint repairs), and minimally invasive techniques (e.g., laparoscopy, arthroscopy). Clinical veterinary surgery focuses on restoring function, alleviating pain, or improving the health of animals through precise interventions, often requiring anesthesia, aseptic techniques, and specialized instruments, while addressing species-specific anatomical and physiological considerations.
Clinical Vet Surgery: Glossary A to Z

A

• Abdominal surgery: Surgical procedures involving the abdominal cavity, such as exploratory laparotomy or organ-specific surgeries (e.g., splenectomy).
• Abscess drainage: Surgical removal or aspiration of pus from an abscess to treat localized infections.
• Acepromazine: A tranquilizer used as a pre-anesthetic agent to calm animals before surgery.
• Adhesion: Fibrous bands that abnormally connect tissues or organs, often a post-surgical complication.
• Amputation: Surgical removal of a limb or appendage due to trauma, neoplasia, or severe infection.
• Analgesia: Pain relief provided through medications (e.g., opioids, NSAIDs) during or after surgery.
• Anastomosis: Surgical connection of two tubular structures, such as intestines or blood vessels, to restore continuity.
• Anesthesia: Controlled loss of sensation or consciousness induced for surgical procedures, including general, local, or regional anesthesia.
• Antiseptic technique: Use of chemical agents to reduce microbial load on skin or instruments during surgery.
• Arthrodesis: Surgical fusion of a joint to stabilize it, often for severe arthritis or instability.
• Arthrotomy: Surgical incision into a joint to access or repair internal structures.
• Asepsis: Practice of maintaining a sterile environment to prevent infection during surgery.
• Aseptic technique: Procedures ensuring a sterile surgical field, including sterilization of instruments and proper gowning/gloving.
• Autoclave: Device using high-pressure steam to sterilize surgical instruments.
• Avulsion: Forcible tearing away of tissue, often requiring surgical repair.
• Allis forceps: Surgical instrument with toothed jaws for grasping tissues securely during surgery.
• Ankylosis: Natural or surgically induced fusion of a joint, sometimes a goal of arthrodesis.
• Arteriotomy: Surgical incision into an artery, often to remove a thrombus or place a catheter.
• Aspiration biopsy: Surgical use of a needle to extract tissue or fluid for diagnostic purposes.
• Aural hematoma repair: Surgical correction of blood accumulation in the ear flap, often involving drainage and suturing.

B

• Babcock forceps: Non-traumatic forceps for grasping delicate tissues, like intestines, without damage.
• Bandage: Protective covering applied post-surgery to support healing or immobilize a site.
• Biopsy: Surgical removal of tissue for diagnostic examination, often for neoplasia or inflammation.
• Bistoury: Small, sharp surgical knife for precise incisions.
• Bone plating: Fixation of fractures using metal plates and screws to stabilize bones.
• Bovie: Electrosurgical device for cutting tissue or cauterizing blood vessels.
• Burr: Rotating cutting tool used in orthopedic surgery to shape or remove bone.
• Bursitis: Inflammation of a bursa, sometimes requiring surgical drainage or excision.
• Backhaus towel clamp: Instrument to secure surgical drapes to the patient’s skin.
• Blunt dissection: Separating tissues using non-cutting instruments to minimize trauma.
• Bone graft: Transplantation of bone tissue to repair or strengthen a defect.
• Bupivacaine: Local anesthetic used for nerve blocks or regional anesthesia in surgery.
• Bypass surgery: Surgical rerouting of blood flow or intestinal contents around an obstruction.

C

• Castration: Surgical removal of testicles in male animals for population control or behavior modification.
• Catheterization: Insertion of a tube into a body cavity or vessel, often for fluid management during surgery.
• Cautery: Use of heat or electricity to burn or coagulate tissue, often to control bleeding.
• Cesarean section: Surgical delivery of fetuses through an incision in the uterus, common in dystocia.
• Cholecystectomy: Surgical removal of the gallbladder to treat gallstones or infection.
• Clamping: Use of surgical clamps to occlude blood vessels or tissues to control bleeding.
• Colopexy: Surgical fixation of the colon to the abdominal wall to prevent displacement.
• Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) repair: Surgical correction of a torn CCL, often using TPLO or TTA.
• Craniotomy: Surgical opening of the skull to access the brain for trauma or tumors.
• Cryosurgery: Use of extreme cold to destroy abnormal tissues, such as tumors or warts.
• Curettage: Scraping of tissue from a cavity or surface, often in dental or bone surgery.
• Cystotomy: Surgical incision into the urinary bladder to remove stones or masses.
• Capsulorrhaphy: Surgical suturing of a joint capsule to repair or tighten it.
• Cerclage wire: Wire looped around a fractured bone to provide stabilization.
• Chondroplasty: Surgical reshaping or repair of cartilage, often in joints.
• Colectomy: Surgical removal of part or all of the colon, often for tumors or obstructions.
• Cystectomy: Surgical removal of a cyst or the urinary bladder.

D

• Debridement: Surgical removal of dead, damaged, or infected tissue to promote healing.
• Declawing: Surgical removal of claws in cats, involving amputation of distal phalanges (controversial).
• Dehiscence: Post-surgical wound reopening due to suture failure or poor healing.
• Dermatotomy: Surgical incision into the skin for drainage or exploration.
• Dissection: Careful separation of tissues to expose structures or remove lesions.
• Drain: Tube or device placed surgically to remove fluids from a wound or cavity.
• Drape: Sterile covering to isolate the surgical site and maintain asepsis.
• Decortication: Surgical removal of the outer layer of an organ, like the lung or bone, to treat infection or promote healing.
• Diaphysectomy: Surgical removal of part of a bone’s shaft, often in osteomyelitis.
• Distal amputation: Removal of the end portion of a limb or digit.
• Dorsal laminectomy: Surgical removal of the dorsal vertebral arch to relieve spinal cord compression.
• Duodenotomy: Surgical incision into the duodenum to address obstructions or foreign bodies.

E

• Electrocautery: Use of electric current to cut or coagulate tissue during surgery.
• Embolectomy: Surgical removal of an embolus from a blood vessel to restore flow.
• Endoscopy: Minimally invasive procedure using a camera to visualize internal structures.
• Enterotomy: Surgical incision into the intestine to remove foreign bodies or obstructions.
• Enucleation: Surgical removal of the eyeball for severe trauma or tumors.
• Epidural anesthesia: Injection of anesthetic into the epidural space for hindquarter surgeries.
• Evisceration: Removal of abdominal contents, often in emergency trauma surgeries.
• Excision: Surgical removal of tissue, such as tumors or infected areas.
• Exploratory laparotomy: Surgical opening of the abdomen to diagnose or treat unspecified conditions.
• Endotracheal tube: Tube inserted into the trachea to maintain an airway during anesthesia.
• Esophagectomy: Surgical removal of part or all of the esophagus, often for tumors.
• External fixator: Device placed outside the body to stabilize fractures using pins and bars.

F

• Fasciectomy: Surgical removal of fascia to relieve pressure or treat contractures.
• Fistula repair: Surgical correction of an abnormal connection between structures.
• Fixation: Stabilization of fractured bones or joints using pins, plates, or external fixators.
• Flap surgery: Transfer of tissue with its blood supply to cover a defect or wound.
• Forceps: Surgical instrument for grasping, holding, or manipulating tissues.
• Fracture repair: Surgical stabilization of broken bones using internal or external fixation.
• Freyer’s technique: Prostatectomy method used in veterinary patients with prostatic disease.
• Femorotibial stabilization: Surgical techniques to stabilize the stifle joint, often for CCL injuries.
• Fenestration: Surgical creation of a window in tissue, such as in intervertebral disc surgery.
• Fistulotomy: Incision into a fistula to promote drainage and healing.

G

• Gastrectomy: Surgical removal of part or all of the stomach for tumors or ulcers.
• Gastropexy: Surgical attachment of the stomach to prevent torsion or displacement.
• Gigli wire: Flexible wire saw for cutting bone in orthopedic surgeries.
• Gingivectomy: Surgical removal of gum tissue to treat periodontal disease.
• Graft: Tissue transplanted to repair a defect, such as skin or bone grafts.
• Granulation tissue: New tissue formed during wound healing, sometimes requiring surgical trimming.
• Gelpi retractor: Self-retaining retractor used to hold tissues apart during surgery.
• Glossectomy: Surgical removal of part or all of the tongue, often for tumors.
• Gonadectomy: General term for surgical removal of gonads (testicles or ovaries).

H

• Halsted’s principles: Surgical principles emphasizing gentle tissue handling, hemostasis, and asepsis.
• Hemilaminectomy: Surgical removal of part of a vertebra to relieve spinal cord compression.
• Hemostasis: Control of bleeding during surgery using sutures, cautery, or hemostatic agents.
• Herniorrhaphy: Surgical repair of a hernia by closing the defect.
• Hobbles: Restraints to limit movement post-surgery, especially in large animals.
• Hysterectomy: Surgical removal of the uterus, often during spaying or for uterine disease.
• Hepatectomy: Surgical removal of part or all of the liver, often for tumors.
• Hydrocelectomy: Surgical removal of a fluid-filled sac around the testicle.
• Hemorrhoidectomy: Surgical removal of hemorrhoids, rare in veterinary practice but applicable in some species.

I

• Incision: Deliberate cut made in tissue to access underlying structures.
• Intubation: Insertion of a tube into the trachea to maintain an airway during anesthesia.
• Isoflurane: Common inhalant anesthetic used for general anesthesia in surgery.
• Imbrication: Surgical technique to tighten or overlap tissues, often in joint stabilization.
• Intramedullary pin: Metal pin inserted into the bone marrow canal to stabilize fractures.
• Intraoperative: Events or procedures occurring during surgery, such as intraoperative imaging.

J

• Joint capsule repair: Surgical reconstruction of the joint capsule to restore stability.
• Joint lavage: Flushing of a joint with sterile fluid to remove debris or treat infection.
• Jejunostomy: Surgical creation of an opening into the jejunum, often for feeding tubes.
• Joint replacement: Surgical implantation of an artificial joint, rare but used in large dogs.

K

• Kirschner wire: Metal pin used in orthopedic surgery to stabilize fractures or bones.
• Knot tying: Technique for securing sutures to close wounds or ligate vessels.
• Keratectomy: Surgical removal of part of the cornea to treat ulcers or lesions.
• Kyphosis correction: Surgical realignment of the spine to address abnormal curvature.

L

• Laminectomy: Surgical removal of part of a vertebra to relieve spinal cord pressure.
• Laparoscopy: Minimally invasive surgery using a camera and small incisions in the abdomen.
• Laparotomy: Surgical incision into the abdominal cavity for exploration or treatment.
• Lavage: Washing out a cavity or wound with sterile fluid to reduce infection.
• Ligation: Tying off a blood vessel or duct with sutures to prevent bleeding or leakage.
• Luxation reduction: Surgical or manual correction of a dislocated joint.
• Limb sparing: Surgery to remove a tumor while preserving the limb, often in osteosarcoma cases.
• Lobectomy: Surgical removal of a lobe of an organ, such as the lung or liver.
• Lumpectomy: Surgical removal of a localized mass, often in mammary tissue.

M

• Mastectomy: Surgical removal of mammary glands to treat tumors.
• Metzenbaum scissors: Delicate scissors for cutting soft tissues.
• Minimally invasive surgery: Techniques like laparoscopy or arthroscopy to reduce trauma.
• Monofilament suture: Single-strand suture material with low tissue drag and reduced infection risk.
• Myectomy: Surgical removal of muscle tissue for tumors or contractures.
• Mandibulectomy: Surgical removal of part of the mandible, often for oral tumors.
• Meniscectomy: Surgical removal of a damaged meniscus in the stifle joint.
• Myelography: Injection of contrast into the spinal canal for imaging during spinal surgery.

N

• Nerve block: Injection of anesthetic near a nerve for regional analgesia.
• Nephrectomy: Surgical removal of a kidney due to tumors or infection.
• Neurectomy: Surgical removal or cutting of a nerve to relieve pain or dysfunction.
• Neutering: General term for surgical sterilization (castration or spaying).
• Nasal planum resection: Surgical removal of the nasal planum, often for squamous cell carcinoma.
• Nodulectomy: Surgical removal of nodules, often for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

O

• Onychectomy: Surgical removal of claws (declawing), involving amputation of distal phalanges.
• Oophorectomy: Surgical removal of ovaries, typically part of spaying.
• Orthopedic surgery: Surgery involving bones, joints, or associated structures.
• Osteotomy: Surgical cutting of bone to correct deformities or facilitate repair.
• Ovariohysterectomy: Surgical removal of ovaries and uterus (spaying).
• Orchiectomy: Surgical removal of testicles (castration).
• Osteosynthesis: Surgical fixation of bones to promote healing, using plates, screws, or pins.
• Otoplasty: Surgical correction of ear deformities or injuries.

P

• Palpation: Manual examination during surgery to assess tissues or locate abnormalities.
• Patellar luxation repair: Surgical correction of a displaced kneecap, common in small dogs.
• Periosteum: Membrane covering bones, manipulated in orthopedic surgery.
• Peritonitis: Inflammation of the peritoneal cavity, sometimes requiring surgery.
• Pin fixation: Use of metal pins to stabilize fractures or bones.
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): Regenerative therapy for surgical wound or joint repair.
• Pneumonectomy: Surgical removal of a lung, rare but used for severe lung disease.
• Prosthesis: Artificial implant to replace or support damaged structures.
• Pyometra surgery: Emergency surgery to remove an infected uterus.
• Pancreatectomy: Surgical removal of part or all of the pancreas, often for tumors.
• Pericardiectomy: Surgical removal of the pericardium to treat pericardial effusion.
• Pinning: Use of intramedullary pins for fracture stabilization.

Q

• Quadriceps contracture release: Surgical correction of abnormal muscle shortening.
• Quadrant biopsy: Surgical sampling of tissue from multiple areas for diagnosis.

R

• Radiography: Imaging used intraoperatively or pre/post-surgery to assess alignment.
• Reconstruction: Surgical restoration of damaged tissues, such as in flap surgery.
• Resection: Surgical removal of part of an organ or tissue, like tumor resection.
• Retractor: Instrument to hold tissues or organs aside to expose the surgical site.
• Rongeur: Instrument to remove bone or tough tissue.
• Rhizotomy: Surgical cutting of nerve roots to relieve pain, rare in veterinary practice.
• Rostral mandibulectomy: Removal of the rostral mandible for oral tumors.

S

• Scalpel: Sharp blade for precise surgical incisions.
• Seroma: Pocket of clear fluid post-surgery, sometimes requiring drainage.
• Soft tissue surgery: Procedures involving organs, muscles, or skin.
• Spay: Common term for ovariohysterectomy, sterilizing female animals.
• Splenectomy: Surgical removal of the spleen for tumors or trauma.
• Stapling: Use of surgical staples to close wounds or connect tissues.
• Sterilization: Rendering surgical instruments or environments microbe-free.
• Sternotomy: Surgical incision through the sternum to access the thoracic cavity.
• Suture: Material or technique to close wounds or secure tissues.
• Synovectomy: Surgical removal of the synovial membrane to treat inflammation.
• Salpingectomy: Surgical removal of the oviduct, often part of spaying.
• Sequestrectomy: Surgical removal of dead bone fragments in osteomyelitis.
• Skin flap: Transfer of skin with its blood supply to cover a defect.
• Stent placement: Insertion of a tube to maintain patency of a vessel or duct.

T

• Tendon repair: Surgical reconnection of a torn or severed tendon.
• Thoracotomy: Surgical incision into the chest cavity to access lungs or heart.
• Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO): Procedure to stabilize the stifle after CCL rupture.
• Tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA): Technique for CCL repair, adjusting stifle biomechanics.
• Tissue adhesive: Glue-like substances to close minor wounds or incisions.
• Tourniquet: Device to temporarily stop blood flow to a limb during surgery.
• Tracheostomy: Surgical creation of an opening in the trachea for breathing.
• Trephination: Drilling a hole in bone, often the skull, to relieve pressure.
• Tenotomy: Surgical cutting of a tendon to correct deformities or relieve tension.
• Thyroidectomy: Surgical removal of the thyroid gland, often for tumors.
• Tumor ablation: Destruction of a tumor using techniques like cryosurgery or laser.

U

• Ureterotomy: Surgical incision into a ureter to remove obstructions or stones.
• Urethrostomy: Surgical creation of a permanent urethral opening to bypass obstructions.
• Uvulectomy: Surgical removal of the uvula, rare but used for airway issues in some species.

V

• Vascular surgery: Procedures involving blood vessels, such as ligation or grafting.
• Ventral slot: Surgical approach to the cervical spine for disc-related compression.
• Vet wrap: Cohesive bandage for post-surgical support or protection.
• Vulvoplasty: Surgical correction of the vulva, often for recessed vulva in dogs.
• Vasectomy: Surgical cutting of the vas deferens to sterilize male animals without removing testicles.
• Ventriculostomy: Surgical creation of an opening in a ventricle, typically for cerebrospinal fluid drainage.

W

• Wound closure: Techniques (sutures, staples, adhesives) to close surgical or traumatic wounds.
• Wound dehiscence: Failure of a surgical wound to heal, leading to reopening.
• Wound irrigation: Flushing a wound with sterile fluid to reduce infection risk.
• Wire cerclage: Use of wire to encircle and stabilize fractured bones.
• Wedge resection: Removal of a wedge-shaped portion of tissue, often in lung or liver surgery.

X

• X-ray: Synonym for radiography, used for surgical planning or intraoperative assessment.
• Xenograft: Transplantation of tissue from a different species, sometimes used in reconstructive surgery.

Y

• Yankauer suction: Suction device to remove fluids from the surgical field.
• Y-U flap: Surgical technique to advance skin for wound closure or reconstruction.

Z

• Z-plasty: Surgical technique to reposition skin flaps, often to relieve tension or improve scars.
• Zoonotic surgery: Procedures addressing diseases transmissible to humans, like abscess drainage in bite wounds.