Undersea and hyperbaric medicine is a unique subspecialty of emergency medicine that involves the therapeutic use of oxygen under pressure to treat disease. The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) defines hyperbaric oxygen treatment as an intervention in which an individual breathes...
Cesarean section (C-section) is the surgical delivery of a baby through incisions in a woman’s abdomen and uterus. C-sections may be elective, but more often are performed because of potential health risks to the mother or child. A C-section is considered major abdominal surgery and is typically...
Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT), also called endovenous laser ablation, is a minimally invasive procedure involving the use of a highly concentrated laser to repair varicose veins. Typically found in the legs, these gnarled, enlarged veins are caused by a faulty valve or weak vein wall....
Hip resurfacing is a type of arthroplasty (surgical reconstruction or replacement of a joint) for younger, more active adults that may improve postoperative mobility. During the procedure, an orthopedic surgeon trims the head of the femur (thigh bone) and caps it with a metal covering. The...
Transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) is a minimally invasive technique for treating lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH, an enlargement of the prostate causing urinary tract obstruction, is the most common prostate problem for men older than...
Replantation surgery is the reattachment of amputated digits, limbs, or other body parts using reconstructive microsurgery, which involves operating on tiny body structures (e.g., blood vessels and nerves) with specialized microscopes and precision instruments.
Robotically assisted minimally invasive mitral valve surgery is a cardiothoracic procedure performed using a computer-enhanced robotic surgical system. Mitral valve surgery may be required for a variety of reasons, including mitral regurgitation (a backflow of blood into the left atrium caused...
Fetal intervention surgery refers to several techniques used to treat birth defects in the womb. These early interventions are performed to improve outcomes for fetuses with complex birth defects, including congenital diaphragmatic hernia, myelomeningocele (the most severe form of spina bifida...
As a sole therapy, transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR) is used to treat refractory angina—a painful condition caused by lack of blood flow to the heart—in patients who have serious heart disease that precludes other surgical options. TMLR may also be used as an adjunct to coronary...
Transcervical sterilization is a minimally invasive permanent birth control method that involves occluding—blocking or closing—a woman’s fallopian tubes to prevent pregnancy. The procedure is an alternative to tubal ligation, or “getting your tubes tied.” Performed without incisions under...
