Dermatome, Surgical | Health Encyclopedia: Dermatome, Surgical

Dermatome, Surgical: From 1 Different Sources

A surgical instrument for cutting varying thicknesses of skin for use in skin grafting.

Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association

Dermatome

(1) Embryological tissue which has developed from the somites to become the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. The cutaneous area that is derived from each dermatome is supplied by a single dorsal spinal nerve root.

(2) A surgical instrument for removing very thin slices of skin for grafting.... dermatome

Surgical Spirit

A liquid preparation, consisting mainly of ethyl alcohol, that has a soothing and hardening effect when applied to the skin.

It may be used before injections as an antiseptic.... surgical spirit

Day Surgical Centre / Clinic

A free-standing ambulatory surgery centre, independent of a hospital.... day surgical centre / clinic

Menopause, Surgical

A term rather callously used to describe the cessation of ovarian hormones as a result of a radical hysterectomy...or what the British more honestly refer to as castration.... menopause, surgical

Drain, Surgical

An appliance inserted into a body cavity or wound to release air or to permit drainage.

Drains range from simple soft rubber tubes that pass from a body cavity into a dressing to wide-bore tubes that connect to a collection bag or bottle.

Suction drains are thin tubes with many small holes to help collect fluid or air, which is drawn into a vacuum bottle.... drain, surgical

Emphysema, Surgical

The abnormal presence of air in tissues under the skin following surgery or injury.... emphysema, surgical

Hypothermia, Surgical

The deliberate reduction of body temperature to prolong the period for which the vital organs can safely be deprived of their normal blood supply during open heart surgery.

Cold reduces the rate of metabolism in tissues and thus increases their tolerance to lack of oxygen.

Cooling may be achieved by continuously instilling cold saline at about 4°C into the open chest cavity.... hypothermia, surgical