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

Laminoplasty is a surgery to treat spinal stenosis or spinal cord compression, most commonly in the neck. The surgeon cuts the lamina bone to create a hinge, opening the canal like a door to give the nerves more room, then secures it with plates or bone grafts without fusing the vertebrae. It relieves pain, numbness and weakness while preserving motion.

Knee gel injections deliver hyaluronic acid into the knee joint to replace lubrication lost to arthritis. Performed in a provider's office with imaging guidance, they are usually given as weekly injections over three to five weeks. Full effects may take several weeks, but pain relief typically lasts about six months, helping delay more invasive surgery.

A J-tube is a feeding tube surgically placed into the jejunum, the middle part of the small intestine, through a small opening in the abdomen. It is used when the stomach cannot process food or long-term supplemental nutrition is needed. The placement, called a jejunostomy, can be endoscopic, laparoscopic or open, and delivers liquid nutrition and medication slowly.

An intraoperative cholangiogram is an imaging test done during gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy). A surgeon injects a contrast dye into the bile ducts and uses X-rays to view them. This allows the surgical team to identify gallstones, map the ductal anatomy, and avoid injuring the bile ducts. The procedure is typically performed while the patient is under general anesthesia.

An implanted port is a small device placed under the skin for long-term vein access. It consists of a self-sealing reservoir and a catheter entering a central vein. This system allows providers to deliver medications or draw blood with one needle stick, reducing repeated IV insertions and protecting smaller veins during frequent treatments.

A hydrocelectomy is a surgical procedure to treat a hydrocele, a fluid-filled sac that causes swelling in the scrotum. Through a small incision in the groin or scrotum, the surgeon removes the sac and drains the fluid. It is a standard treatment for persistent or painful swelling in infants and adults, with a high success rate and long-term relief.

HRCT is an imaging test that shows the lungs in fine detail. Using specialized X-ray techniques and computer processing, it creates detailed images of the small airways, alveoli, and surrounding tissues. Healthcare providers mainly use it to diagnose interstitial lung diseases, monitor chronic conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis, and investigate respiratory symptoms that a standard X-ray may miss.

Hernia repair surgery is the standard treatment for hernias, repositioning displaced tissue and reinforcing the weakened muscle wall with stitches or surgical mesh. It can be done using open, laparoscopic or robotic techniques. Most patients return home the same day, and people with non-physical jobs recover within a few days, while demanding roles may need several weeks.

Hemorrhoid banding is an office procedure that eliminates internal hemorrhoids by cutting off their blood supply with rubber bands. It typically takes less than five minutes and has a success rate of 70% to 80%. Most patients return to normal activities immediately, and the treated tissue detaches within seven days, relieving pain, itching and bleeding.

Goniotomy is a surgical procedure that treats glaucoma by improving drainage of aqueous humor fluid from the eye. A surgeon uses micro-tools to make small incisions in the trabecular meshwork, reducing eye pressure. This 15-minute outpatient procedure can lower eye pressure, which helps protect the optic nerve, though it cannot reverse damage already done.

Heller myotomy is a surgical procedure used to treat achalasia, a rare disorder that impairs swallowing. Performed laparoscopically, it involves cutting the lower esophageal sphincter so food passes into the stomach more freely, often with fundoplication to prevent acid reflux. With a success rate of nearly 90%, it provides significant relief, though symptoms may occasionally recur.

Gastrectomy is the surgical removal of the stomach, either total or partial. It is most commonly performed to remove gastric cancer or treat life-threatening obesity, and the digestive tract is reconstructed to allow continued nourishment. It is a major operation requiring up to five hours of surgery and a two-week hospital stay, but it is often lifesaving.

Fistulotomy is the most common and effective surgical cure for anal fistulas, with a success rate of approximately 95%. The surgeon cuts open the infected tunnel to clear pus and allow healing from the inside out. It is an outpatient surgery under anesthesia taking 30 to 60 minutes, and complete wound healing requires several months of careful care.

Escharotomy is an emergency surgical procedure for severe, circumferential third-degree burns. Surgeons make incisions through thick, non-elastic burned tissue called eschar, or use enzymatic solutions to dissolve it, to relieve pressure that threatens circulation or breathing. It is often successful in preventing tissue death and restoring vital functions during early intensive burn care.

Eustachian tube balloon dilation is a procedure that opens blocked eustachian tubes that do not respond to medical therapy. In a 10-to-15-minute process, an ENT specialist guides a balloon catheter through the nose into the tube and briefly inflates it, improving ear pressure regulation and fluid drainage. Most patients go home the same day with minimal downtime.

A jaw implant is a solid silicone device placed over the lower jawbone (mandible) to increase its size and definition. A surgeon inserts it through incisions inside the mouth and secures it with tiny titanium screws in a surgery that takes about two hours under general anesthesia. Most patients recover within a few weeks, with full results after swelling subsides.

Enameloplasty is an elective cosmetic procedure in which a dentist removes tiny amounts of tooth enamel to fix minor flaws such as small chips, pointy teeth or uneven edges. It is typically painless, needs no numbing and takes about 30 minutes. It suits only healthy teeth and must be done by a professional to avoid permanent damage.

Elbow replacement surgery is a procedure that removes damaged bone and cartilage and replaces them with a prosthetic joint. It typically takes two hours, requires a brief hospital stay and is mainly used for severe arthritis when nonsurgical options fail. Most artificial elbows last over a decade if patients follow recovery protocols and avoid heavy lifting.

Earlobe repair is a minor surgical procedure that fixes damage from heavy earrings, gauging or accidents. Under local anesthesia in a specialist's office, the surgeon removes excess scar tissue and closes the tear with tiny stitches. Healing takes several weeks, and re-piercing is generally possible after three to six months. It restores symmetry and prevents further tearing.

Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a procedure that dilates the cervix to access the uterus, then uses a curette to gently remove uterine tissue. This outpatient procedure typically takes less than 10 minutes under local, regional or general anesthesia. Most patients go home the same day and resume normal activities within a few days, following simple aftercare guidelines.

A dialysis AV fistula is a connection a vascular surgeon creates by joining an artery and a vein, strengthening the vein for dialysis needles. The minor outpatient procedure usually takes one to two hours. The fistula then needs several months to mature and thicken before use. With daily monitoring and protection, it can provide life-sustaining dialysis access for many years.

Dacryocystorhinostomy, commonly known as tear duct surgery, is a procedure that reroutes the tear drainage system to resolve persistent watery eyes. Surgeons create a new opening between the tear sac and nasal cavity, often using small stents. Success rates exceed 90% for most patients, and this outpatient surgery typically takes under an hour, with recovery in a few weeks.

A cystolitholapaxy is a urological procedure that removes bladder stones, the hard mineral deposits that form in the bladder. During the 30 to 60 minute surgery, performed under anesthesia, a surgeon uses a laser to crush the stones into small fragments. It is an outpatient procedure, so patients go home the same day, and most recover fully within two weeks.

A COVID-19 vaccine is a medical treatment that prepares the immune system to defend against the virus that causes COVID-19. It introduces a harmless piece of the virus, or instructions to make one, so the body builds memory cells. If you are later exposed, your immune system can respond quickly, often preventing illness or significantly reducing symptom severity.