Procedure Descriptions
Adenoidectomy
ACL Reconstruction
Arthroscopic Surgery
Carpal Tunnel Surgery
Cataract Surgery with Insertion of Lens
Colonoscopy
Hammertoe Repair
Hysteroscopy
Lithotripsy
Pain Management Injection
Rotator Cuff Repair
Septoplasty
Tympanostmy (Ear Tube Surgery)
Trigger Finger Surgery
Upper GI Endoscopy
Adenoidectomy is the surgical removal of the adenoid glands, which are located between the nasal airway and the back of the throat. This surgery is often done in conjunction with a tonsillectomy.
While the patient is under general anesthesia, the ENT surgeon props open the patient’s mouth with a small instrument. The adenoid tissue is cauterized or removed with a curette or a microdebrider. Bleeding is controlled with packing or cauterization.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction
ACL Reconstruction is surgery to replace the torn ligament with an autograft (tissue from the patient's own body) or an allograft (tissue from a cadaver). The most common autografts use part of the patellar tendon (the tendon in the front of the knee) or use the hamstring tendons. Each type of graft has small advantages and disadvantages, and work well for many people.
The procedure is usually performed by knee arthroscopy. The surgeon will replace the ACL. Additional small incisions are made around the knee to place the new ligament. The old ligament will be removed using a shaver or other instruments. Bone tunnels will be made to place the new ligament in the knee at the site of the old ACL. If the patient's own tissue is to be used for the new ligament, a larger, "open" incision will be made to take the tissue. The new ligament is then fixed to the bone using screws or other devices to hold the ligament in place.
Arthroscopic Surgery is used to diagnose and treat many joint problems. This significant advance in joint care allows for rapid return to improved activity. Most commonly used in knees, shoulders and ankles, the arthroscope can also be sued for spine, hip, wrists and elbows.
Step 1 - Two small incisions are made around the join area. Surgical instruments will be positioned in these incisions.
Step 2 - A tube-like needle is inserted in one incision. Fluid is pumped through the tube and into the joint. This expands the joint, giving the surgeon a clear view and room to work. The tube will also be used as drainage needle to regulate the amount of fluid in the joint during the procedure.
Step 3 - Through another incision, the surgeon insets the arthroscope. This instrument has a light and a small video camera that send images to a TV monitor in the operating room.
Step 4 - With the video images from the arthroscope as a guide, the surgeon can look for damaged tissue. If the surgeon sees an opportunity to treat a problem, a variety of small surgical instruments can be inserted through the third small incision.
Step 5 - The surgeon may close the incisions with stitches or tape. Recovery from arthroscopy is faster than recovery from traditional open joint surgery.
Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Surgery involves a small incision over the palm of the hand through which a surgeon will insert a small tube with a light and camera. Using that tool they will cut the transverse carpal ligament to releases pressure on the median nerve,
Some surgeons will remove tissue surrounding the nerve, especially if the tissue is swollen or irritated (as is often found in arthritis patients). The surgeon will then usually close the skin and subcutaneous tissues over only the carpal ligament, leaving the carpal tunnel uncovered. Other surgeons reattach the carpal ligament after lengthening it.
Cataract Surgery with Insertion of Lens
Cataract is a "clouding" of the lens in your eye. In Cataract Surgery a tiny incision is made in the eye. With the help of a microscope, the surgeon will make a small incision at the junction of the clear and white outer parts of the eye. Depending on the type of cataract, the lens may be removed with suction and surgical instruments or with suction and a machine that uses high frequency sound waves to break up the lens. An artificial lens is usually inserted to help the eye focus. The incision maybe closed with fine stitches or it may be self sealing.
Once the clouded lens has been removed, the next step is to replace it. That is, to implant an artificial lens that will do the work of your own lens. This artificial lens is referred to as an intraocular lens or IOL.
After the surgery, you'll be given a short time to rest. Drops will be prescribed to guard against infection and help your eyes heal. For a few days, you may need to wear a clear shield, especially at night, to prevent you from rubbing your eye.
A colonoscopy enables the physician to look inside a patient’s entire large intestine. This procedure is used to look for early signs of cancer in the colon and rectum, as well, as diagnose the causes of unexplained bowel habits.
Before the procedure, the patient is usually given a mild sedative. While the patient lies on their left side, the physician will inset a long, flexible, lighted tube into the patient’s rectum and slowly guide it into the colon. The tube, called a colonoscope, transmits an image of inside the colon and can inflate the colon with air to help the physician see clearly.
The physician can remove all or part of an abnormality using tiny instruments passed through the scope. If there is bleeding, the physician can pass an instrument through the scope to stop the bleeding or inject medicine.
Hammertoe is a bending of one or both joints of a toe. This deformity can put excessive pressure on the toe resulting in pain and discomfort.
Arthroplasty is the most common surgical procedure to correct hammertoe. In this procedure, the surgeon straightens the toe by removing a small section of the bone from the affected joint.
Arthrodesis is another surgical procedure to correct hammertoe and is usually reserved for the more advanced cases. In this procedure, the surgeon fuses a small joint in the toe to straighten it. A pin is typically used to hold the toe in position while the bone is healing.
Other procedures may be necessary in more severe cases, including skin wedging (the removal of wedges of skin), tendon/muscle rebalancing or lengthening, small tendon transfers, or relocation of surrounding joints.
A hysteroscopy is an examination of the inside of the uterus using a fiber optic telescope which is inserted through the vagina and cervical canal. A hysteroscopy helps determine the presence of fibroids, polyps, scars or other abnormalities within the uterus.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a technique for treating stones in the kidney and ureter that does not require surgery. Instead, high energy shock waves are passed through the body and used to break stones into pieces as small as grains of sand. Because of their small size, these pieces can pass from the body along with the urine.
Return to top
The most common type of pain management procedure is an Epidural Steroid Injection or Spinal Epidural Injection. Prior to an epidural steroid injection, the patient’s skin is cleaned with a sterilizing solution and a sterile drape is placed over the skin. Local anesthesia is injected into the skin to provide numbness at the injection site. The steroid injection consists of a local anesthetic and/or steroids. A small bandage may be placed over the injection site.
Rotator Cuff Repair is an arthroscopic procedure, in which the surgeon places an arthroscope in the space above the rotator cuff tendons. The surgeon can evaluate the area above the rotator cuff, clean out inflamed or damaged tissue, and remove a bone spur.
If a tear is going to be fixed, the surgeon may perform the surgery with a larger, open incision, while other surgeons use the arthroscope and 1-3 additional small smaller incisions. The goal is to attach the tendon back to the bone where it tore off. The tendon is attached with sutures. Small rivets (called suture anchors) are often used to help attach the tendon to the bone. The suture anchors can be made of metal or plastic, and do not need to be removed.
Septoplasty is an operation that corrects defects and deformities of the wall between the two nostrils (nasal septum). The goal of this surgery is to straighten the nasal septum or to relieve obstructions or others problems related to deviation of the septum.
An incision is made internally on one side of the nasal septum. The mucous membrane is lifted away from the cartilage and the obstructive parts are removed or repositioned. Then the mucous member is returned to its original position and held in place with stitches or packing.
Tympanostomy (Ear Tube Surgery)
Tympanostomy is a surgical procedure to drain fluid from the middle ear, by placing tubes in the eardrum. While the patient is under general anesthesia, a small incision is made in the eardrum and accumulated fluid behind it is suctioned out. A small tube is inserted through the eardrum incision to allow fluid to continually flow out and air to enter. The incision heals without sutures and the ear tubes fall out naturally after a few months.
Trigger finger is an inflammation of the tissue inside your finger or thumb. Tendons (cordlike fibers that attach muscle to bone and allow you to bend the joints) become swollen. The synovium (a slick membrane that allows the tendons to move easily) also becomes swollen. This makes it difficult to straighten the finger or thumb. In surgery the surgeon opens and enlarges the sheath that surrounds the tendon to release the swollen tendon. This allows the finger to bend and straighten normally again.
The Upper Gastrointestinal Series uses x-rays to diagnose problems in the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and, in some cases, the small intestine. This procedure can show blockage, abnormal growth, ulcers, or a malfunction in the organ.
Before the procedure, the patient will drink a thick, white, milkshake-like liquid called Barium. This liquid coats the inside lining of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, so they can be clearly seen on x-rays. A physician will examine these x-rays for abnormalities.
With the assistance of a fluoroscope, the physician can also watch the digestive system work as the barium moves through it. This part of the procedures helps identify any problems in the digestive system’s functions.