Medical terminology can sometimes be confusing and complicated. At RPS, we want to make it easy for you to understand what the following words mean before you undergo your procedure.
You can also find these medical terms under each procedure on our site.
BREAST RECONSTRUCTION
Mastectomy: The medical term for removal of a breast or breasts.
Free tissue transfer: Using your own tissue (usually from the abdomen) to create the new breast mound.
Immediate reconstruction: Where your breast reconstruction surgery occurs at the same time as your mastectomy.
Delayed reconstruction: Where your breast reconstruction surgery takes place months or years after your mastectomy.
Flap reconstruction: Where tissue is used from another place on your body to form a breast shape. This tissue consists of skin, fat, and sometimes muscle and usually comes from the belly, back, buttocks, or inner thighs.
TRAM flap: Transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap – where the flap used to form the new breast is taken from the abdomen and includes some muscle.
DIEP flap: Deep inferior epigastric perforator flap – where the flap consists of the skin and fat with the blood vessels of the abdomen only and not the six pack muscle.
Latissimus Dorsi flap: An oval flap of skin, fat, muscle and blood vessels from your upper back
BREAST REDUCTION
Mammoplasty: plastic surgery of the breast
Reduction mammoplasty: Breast reduction surgery
Inferior pedicle / Anchor / Inverted T technique: 3 different names for the breast reduction technique that results in an inverted “T” scar down from the nipple to the underside of the breast
Vertical scar technique: The breast reduction technique possible for some small to medium breast reductions that results in a scar from the underside of the nipple down to under the breast but which does not result in a horizontal scar under the breast
BREAST LIFT
Mastopexy: surgical name for breast lift procedure
Vertical scar technique: The breast reduction technique possible for some small to medium breast reductions that results in a scar from the underside of the nipple down to under the breast but which does not result in a horizontal scar under the breast.
BREAST IMPLANT REVISION
Capsular contracture: a capsule that has formed around an implant
MALE GYNAECOMASTIA
Gynaecomastia: The development of breast tissue in a male
Areola: Dark skin surrounding the nipple
Glandular Tissue: Tissue present in the breast that is designed to secrete hormones
Liposuction: Insertion of thin hollow suction tubes through several small incisions in the skin. Moving back and forth the tubes in a controlled motion loosens excess fat which is then removed from the body by vacuum suction
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME:
Carpal tunnel: A relatively small space in the wrist through which 9 tendons and the median nerve pass into the hand
Carpal tunnel release: Surgery to relieve the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome
Median nerve: Supplies some muscles that work the thumb, and give sensation to the thumb, index, middle and ring fingers
transverse carpal ligament: The roof of the carpal tunnel
open CTR: The release is performed by making an incision in the palm of the hand
endoscopic CTR : When the release if performed by ‘keyhole’ surgery. Two small incisions are made and a camera is used to guide the surgery
DUPUYTRENS DISEASE:
Contracture: A decrease in joint movement
Plantar Fibromatosis: Another name for Dupuytren’s disease when it occurs in the sole/s of the feet
Fasciotomy: A surgical procedure where the fascia is cut to relieve tension or pressure
Xiaflex®: An enzyme that can be injected to break down the Dupuytren’s disease
TRIGGER FINGER:
Tendon : The tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone
Stenosing Tenosynovitis : Trigger finger or thumb
Synovectomy : Removal of tissue
Steroid Injection : Injections usually comprised from cortisone medication and a local anaesthetic
Pulley: Is another term for the tunnel which the pendon passes through
TRIGGER THUMB:
Stenosing Tenosynovitis: Trigger thumb (or finger)
Synovectomy: Removal of tissue
Node: Swelling or enlargement involving a mass of tissue
GANGLION CYSTS:
Ganglion: An abnormal non cancerous swelling on a tendon sheath
Cyst: A closed sac-like structure that contains liquid gas or semisolid substance
DE QUERVAIN’S TENDONITIS:
De Quervain’s tendonitis/disease: Inflammation of tendons that often causes pain in the thumb side of the wrist
BLEPHOROPLASTY:
Blepharoplasty: The medical term for ‘eyelid surgery’
Upper blepharoplasty: Surgery to the upper eyelid
Lower blepharoplasty: Surgery to the area immediately below the eye
Crow’s Feet: Wrinkles and fine lines that form around the outer corners of the eyes
OTOPLASTY:
Pinna: The external part of the ear
Cartilage: Connective tissue
SCAR REVISION:
Typical Scar: A typical scar that is healing well may develop as quite red for 3-6 months before settling as a light coloured, flat scar by about 9-12 months once healing is complete
Keloid Scar: Develops due to an overgrowth of tissue – usually red and raised and extend onto uninjured skin that surrounds the original site of operation or injury. If a keloid scar is removed it will often recur
Hypertrophic Scar: Usually raised, red and painless
Contracture Scars: Can occur if your skin has been burnt. These scars tighten skin, which can impair your ability to move and may also go deeper, affecting muscles and nerves
ABDOMINOPLASTY:
Abdominoplasty: The medical term for a “tummy tuck” – the surgical procedure to correct the apron of excess skin hanging over the abdomen
Liposuction: Also called lipoplasty or suction lipectomy, this procedure vacuums out fat from beneath the skin’s surface to reduce fullness
Diastasis: Condition in which abdominal muscles have separated
Pannus: A large apron of fat causing dermatitis, skin infection, &/or difficulty in walking
Apronectomy: A surgical procedure to remove a large apron of fat (pannus)
Haematoma: Excess blood accumulation beneath the skin
Seroma: Excess fluid accumulation under the skin
LIPOSUCTION:
Liposuction: Insertion of thin hollow suction tubes through several small incisions and moving back and forth of the tubes in a controlled motion to loosen excess fat which is then removed from the body by vacuum suction
Suction assisted lipectomy: Another word for liposuction
Surgical lipectomy: The removal of excess skin and fat by excision
Cannulae: Thin hollow suction tubes
LABIAPLASTY:
Labia minora: The smaller inner folds of the vulva
Labia majora: The larger outer folds of the vulva
Labiaplasty: Procedure to change the labia minora of the vulva
Vagina: The muscular tube leading from the vulva to the uterus
Vulva: The female external genitals / the external opening of the vagina
HYPERHIDROSIS:
Hyperhidrosis is the term for excessive sweating that usually occurs in the hands, feet, and trunk.
SKIN LESIONS:
Benign: Non-cancerous lesion
Keratosis: Non-cancerous excessive growth of keratin
Naevus: Non cancerous mole or birthmark
Malignant: Cancerous lesion
BCC: Basal Cell Carcinoma – type of skin cancer
SCC: Squamous Cell Carcinoma – type of skin cancer
Melanoma: Cancerous lesion that develops from the pigment-containing cells known as melanocyte
Suture: A stitch
MALE GYNAECOMASTIA:
Gynaecomastia: The development of breast tissue in a male
Areola: Dark skin surrounding the nipple
Glandular Tissue: Tissue present in the breast that is designed to secrete hormones
Liposuction: Insertion of thin hollow suction tubes through several small incisions in the skin. Moving back and forth the tubes in a controlled motion loosens excess fat which is then removed from the body by vacuum suction
SCAR REVISION:
Typical Scar: A typical scar that is healing well may develop as quite red for 3-6 months before settling as a light coloured, flat scar by about 9-12 months once healing is complete
Keloid Scar: Develops due to an overgrowth of tissue – usually red and raised and extend onto uninjured skin that surrounds the original site of operation or injury. If a keloid scar is removed it will often recur
Hypertrophic Scar: Usually raised, red and painless
Contracture Scars: Can occur if your skin has been burnt. These scars tighten skin, which can impair your ability to move and may also go deeper, affecting muscles and nerves
If there are any medical terms or procedures you would like to know more about please contact us for a consultation.
To find out more about the services we offer, or if you would like to speak with us about any procedures please contact our practice