any of a group of surgical procedures for treating stress incontinence in women. See colposuspension; pubovaginal sling; tension-free vaginal tape.
A hanging bandage for the support of injured or diseased parts. Slings are generally applied for support of the upper limb, in which case the limb is suspended from the neck. The lower limb may also be supported in a sling from an iron cage placed upon the bed on which the patient lies, the object usually being to aid the circulation, and so quicken the healing of ulcers on the leg.... sling
a cardiac surgical procedure performed to prevent atrial *fibrillation. Multiple atrial incisions are made in a mazelike pattern. These incisions heal with scar tissue that does not conduct electricity, thus interrupting the abnormal electrical impulses that trigger atrial fibrillation. [J. Cox (21st century), US surgeon]... cox maze procedure
an operation in which a *shunt is created between the lateral *ventricle of the brain and the *cisterna magna to bypass a block of the cerebral *aqueduct and thus relieve *hydrocephalus. Originally this was achieved by means of an external indwelling catheter, but later techniques use an internal catheter, which reduces the risk of septic complications. [A. Torkildsen (20th century), Norwegian neurosurgeon]... torkildsen procedure
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