Emergency Surgery Glossary

Techniques used during surgery to identify, isolate, and stop bleeding from injured vessels or organs.

Abnormally low blood pressure during surgery that may compromise organ perfusion and patient safety.

Emergency vascular access obtained by inserting a needle directly into bone marrow, used when peripheral or central veno...

Telescoping of one segment of bowel into an adjacent segment. Pediatric surgical emergency causing intestinal obstructio...

Compromised intestinal blood supply resulting in tissue hypoxia and potential necrosis requiring emergency intervention.

A standardized institutional response to life-threatening bleeding requiring coordinated transfusion of blood products i...

Standardized approach for rapid delivery of blood products in patients with life-threatening hemorrhage.

Anatomical landmark located one-third the distance from the anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus. Classic site...

A surgical incision made vertically through the linea alba, providing rapid access to the abdominal cavity.

Physical examination finding of inspiratory arrest during palpation of the right upper quadrant. Classic sign of acute c...

Bone fracture with overlying skin break creating communication between the fracture site and external environment.

Surgical removal of devitalized, contaminated, or infected tissue to promote healing and prevent sepsis.

Surgical irrigation and debridement procedure to remove infected or necrotic tissue and reduce bacterial load.

Damage control technique involving temporary packing of bleeding sites with planned return to surgery for definitive rep...

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, the specialized recovery area where patients are monitored immediately following emergency su...

Specialized emergency response protocol for injured children requiring immediate multidisciplinary team mobilization and...

Injury involving breach of the abdominal wall with potential visceral damage requiring surgical evaluation.

Injury that breaches the platysma muscle in the neck, requiring careful evaluation for vascular, aerodigestive, or neuro...

Relating to the period immediately before, during, and after surgery. Encompasses preoperative, intraoperative, and post...

Prophylactic antibiotic administration before and during surgery to prevent surgical site infections.

Management of blood-thinning medications before, during, and after emergency surgery to balance bleeding and thrombotic...

Unintended decrease in core body temperature during the surgical period, increasing risk of bleeding, infection, and del...

Diagnostic procedure involving irrigation of the peritoneal cavity to detect internal bleeding.

Physical examination findings indicating peritoneal irritation, including rebound tenderness, guarding, and rigidity.