Emergency Surgery Glossary

A rapid, life-saving abdominal procedure focusing only on hemorrhage control and contamination source control.

Clinical syndrome of severe abdominal pain requiring urgent surgical evaluation. Editorial note: Often appears in emerge...

Focused history-taking mnemonic covering Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last meal, and Events leading to...

Surgical connection between two tubular structures, typically bowel segments. Critical component of emergency intestinal...

Postoperative complication where a surgical connection between bowel segments fails, causing leakage.

Advanced Trauma Life Support protocol used in emergency surgical assessment and treatment.

A soft, poorly contracted uterine fundus indicating uterine atony, the leading cause of postpartum hemorrhage requiring...

A sterile IV bag sutured to fascia for temporary abdominal closure when primary repair is impossible.

Blockage of intestinal contents flow, potentially requiring emergency surgical decompression.

A bleeding disorder characterized by impaired blood clotting, commonly seen in emergency surgery patients due to massive...

Surgical emergency involving increased pressure within anatomical compartments that compromises circulation and tissue v...

Initial fluid replacement using balanced salt solutions in emergency surgery patients to restore intravascular volume.

Abbreviated surgical approach focusing on hemorrhage control and contamination management before definitive repair.

Surgical philosophy prioritizing immediate life-saving interventions over definitive repair in critically unstable patie...

Emergency surgical technique prioritizing hemorrhage control and contamination control over definitive repair.

Modified version of diagnostic peritoneal lavage using only aspiration to detect intraperitoneal bleeding in trauma pati...

Diagnostic peritoneal lavage, an invasive procedure to detect intraperitoneal bleeding or contamination in trauma patien...

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy; endoscopic examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Emergency procedure for GI bleed...

Urgent open surgical exploration of the abdomen performed within hours of presentation for life-threatening conditions.

Urgent surgical removal of the appendix, typically performed for acute appendicitis. One of the most common emergency su...

Immediate surgical delivery performed within 30 minutes for acute maternal or fetal compromise requiring urgent interven...

Emergency surgical removal of the gallbladder for acute complications of gallstone disease.

Emergency surgical airway created through the cricothyroid membrane when intubation fails or is impossible.

Urgent surgical airway procedure through the cricothyroid membrane when standard intubation fails.