Doctor-Reviewed Health Guides: Conditions, Procedures & Health News

An autologous stem cell transplant is a cancer treatment in which a patient's own healthy blood stem cells are collected and stored before intensive chemotherapy or radiation. After the high-dose treatment kills cancer cells, the stored cells are returned to restore the bone marrow's ability to make healthy blood cells. It is frequently used for multiple myeloma and certain lymphomas.

Argon plasma coagulation is a type of ablation therapy that uses heat to destroy abnormal tissue or stop internal bleeding, applying ionized argon gas ignited by an electrical current. It is commonly used for gastrointestinal bleeding, Barrett's esophagus and tumors. The minimally invasive procedure typically takes less than an hour and offers a rapid recovery period.

Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is a surgical procedure in which a surgical oncologist removes lymph nodes from the armpit to find out whether breast cancer has spread. Each armpit contains between 20 and 40 lymph nodes. It is usually done during breast cancer surgery, such as a lumpectomy or mastectomy, and results guide staging and further treatment.

Appendicostomy is a surgical procedure that manages chronic bowel dysfunction, such as severe constipation or fecal incontinence, by creating a small abdominal opening connected to the colon for regular flushing with liquid. It is typically performed laparoscopically and suits patients with conditions like spina bifida or Hirschsprung disease when other management methods have failed.

Apheresis, also known as hemapheresis, is a medical process in which blood is removed and passed through a centrifuge to separate red cells, white cells, platelets and plasma. The machine keeps the desired component and returns the rest to the patient. It is used to collect specific blood products for donation and to treat diseases by removing unhealthy blood elements.

An adrenalectomy is a surgical procedure to remove one or both adrenal glands when they are cancerous or overproducing hormones. Surgeons mainly use laparoscopic or robotic methods with small incisions for quicker recovery, while open surgery may be needed for larger tumors. Recovery generally takes one to two weeks, though long-term hormone monitoring or replacement may be required.

Ablation for kidney cancer is an alternative to surgical tumor removal for small kidney tumors, typically under 3 centimeters. A thin probe inserted through the skin or small incisions delivers heat or cold directly to the tumor. It is often recommended for patients who are poor candidates for major surgery or who have multiple small tumors.

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a common surgery for pinched nerves and spinal cord compression in the neck. Through a small incision in the throat area, the surgeon removes the affected disk and stabilizes the vertebrae with a bone graft and hardware. It is typically recommended when nonsurgical options fail to relieve severe arm pain, numbness or weakness.

YAG laser capsulotomy is a fast outpatient procedure that treats posterior capsule opacification, often called a secondary cataract, in which tissue holding the artificial lens clouds after cataract surgery. In under ten minutes, a laser opens the clouded tissue so light passes clearly again. No incision is needed, most people resume activities the next day, and complications are uncommon.

The Whipple procedure, also called pancreaticoduodenectomy, is a major abdominal operation that removes tumors from the head of the pancreas, along with the duodenum, gallbladder and part of the bile duct, then reconnects the digestive tract. Recovery usually includes a one-to-two-week hospital stay and several months before full activity. It is the main surgery for localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is plastic surgery that removes extra skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens weakened muscles for a flatter contour. It is not a weight-loss treatment. Surgery typically takes about two to four hours under general anesthesia, strenuous exercise can usually resume after four to six weeks, and results last while weight stays stable.

A TIPS procedure (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) places a small metal stent inside the liver to connect the portal vein to a hepatic vein, rerouting blood around high-pressure areas caused by liver scarring. It is mainly used for complications such as ascites and bleeding varices. An interventional radiologist performs it through the neck, typically in one to two hours.

A lip lift is a cosmetic surgery that reduces the space between the bottom of the nose and the top of the lip. By removing a small strip of skin, a surgeon lifts the upper lip to make it more visible. This permanent procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia in less than an hour, offering an alternative to fillers.

The Ladd procedure is the only surgical cure for intestinal malrotation, a condition present at birth in which the intestines are twisted or misplaced. Done laparoscopically or as open surgery, it untwists the intestines, cuts restrictive Ladd's bands, repositions the bowels and removes the appendix. Babies stay in the hospital for several days to two weeks, and most develop typically.

The LINX procedure treats severe GERD by reinforcing the lower esophageal sphincter with a small, flexible ring of magnetic beads. This device opens to allow swallowing and closes to block acid reflux. Performed laparoscopically in less than an hour, it offers a removable, minimally invasive alternative for those whose symptoms are not managed by medication.

The Kasai procedure is surgery performed on infants, ideally before two months of age, to treat biliary atresia, a condition in which bile ducts are blocked or absent. Surgeons remove the damaged ducts and connect part of the small intestine directly to the liver so bile can drain. It reduces jaundice, though many children later need a transplant.

Surgery for ulcerative colitis is an operation that removes the colon and usually the rectum, eliminating the diseased tissue and creating a new way for stool to leave the body. It is considered when medicines fail, side effects are intolerable or complications such as heavy bleeding or cancer develop. The most common option is J-pouch surgery.

Subtalar fusion, also called subtalar arthrodesis, is a surgery that joins the ankle bone and heel bone into a single unit, mainly to treat severe subtalar arthritis when nonsurgical treatments fail. The surgeon removes damaged cartilage and secures the bones with screws over about two hours. It permanently reduces side-to-side foot movement but eliminates the friction causing chronic pain.

Sublingual immunotherapy is an allergy treatment in which you dissolve a tablet or drops containing a small, controlled amount of allergen under your tongue daily, training the immune system to tolerate triggers such as pollen or dust mites. It is a needle-free, at-home alternative to allergy shots and typically needs about three years of consistent use for lasting benefit.

Stereotactic radiosurgery is a non-surgical radiation treatment that focuses many tiny beams on precise targets in the brain to shrink or destroy tumors, seal abnormal blood vessels and block pain signals without incisions. The image-guided procedure typically takes one to four hours, and most patients go home the same day, offering an alternative to traditional neurosurgery.

A sleep apnea implant is a surgically implanted system that prevents airway obstruction during sleep by stimulating the hypoglossal nerve to move the tongue forward. It includes a chest stimulator, a breathing sensor and a stimulation lead, controlled by a handheld remote. It offers a mask-free option for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea when CPAP cannot be used effectively.

A simple mastectomy is surgery that removes the entire breast, including tissue, skin, nipple and areola, to treat or prevent breast cancer, generally without removing all underarm lymph nodes. It takes one to three hours under general anesthesia, and many people go home the same day. Recovery focuses on wound healing and a gradual return to activity over several weeks.

Scrotoplasty is surgery that treats conditions affecting the scrotum or creates a new scrotum. It is used for buried or webbed penis, to repair a scrotum damaged by trauma or severe infection such as Fournier's gangrene and for cosmetic reasons such as lifting a sagging scrotum. The surgeon removes excess skin and tissue and closes the incision with dissolvable stitches.

A Sengstaken-Blakemore tube is a flexible device used in emergencies to stop severe bleeding in the esophagus or stomach. Inserted through the nose or mouth, it has two inflatable balloons that press on bleeding veins and a suction port. It provides temporary stabilization for several hours until definitive treatment and is reserved for critical situations where other methods fail.