splenotomy

A surgeon performs a splenotomy in the operating room.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Surgical incision into the spleen: "splenotomy" refers to a medical procedure involving a cut or opening made into the spleen.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The surgeon performed a splenotomy to drain the abscess. (A surgical cut into the spleen was made to remove pus.)
  • Splenotomy is rarely performed today due to advances in non-invasive techniques. (The procedure of opening the spleen is uncommon now.)

Advanced Usage

• "Splenotomy with biopsy": a surgical incision into the spleen for the purpose of obtaining a tissue sample.

  • The patient underwent a splenotomy with biopsy to diagnose the cause of splenomegaly. (The spleen was opened to take a sample for testing.)

• "Emergency splenotomy": a splenotomy performed urgently, often due to trauma or infection.

  • After the car accident, an emergency splenotomy was required to control internal bleeding. (An urgent incision into the spleen was made.)

Variants and Related Words

• Splenectomy (n): the surgical removal of the spleen, not just an incision.

  • A splenectomy was necessary after the spleen ruptured. (The entire spleen was taken out.)

• Splenomegaly (n): abnormal enlargement of the spleen.

  • Splenomegaly can be a sign of infection or liver disease. (Enlarged spleen.)

• Splenic (adj): relating to the spleen.

  • The splenic artery supplies blood to the spleen. (Pertaining to the spleen.)

Synonyms

• Spleen incision: a direct synonym for splenotomy.
• Splenostomy: a related term meaning the creation of an artificial opening into the spleen (less common).

Related Idioms

• No common idioms exist for this highly specialized medical term.

Phrasal Verbs

• No phrasal verbs apply to this noun.