What is Open Surgery?
Surgical procedures performed by making an incision large enough to expose the entire operative area are called "open" procedures.
Your doctor believes that your medical condition and overall state of health indicate that an open surgical procedure is necessary to address your medical condition.
The risks associated with this kind of outpatient surgery are minimal.
Your doctor understands that all medical care benefits from close collaboration between physician and patient -- so be sure to review, with your doctor, all risks and alternatives and make sure you understand the reasons behind the recommendation for this particular procedure.
Now let's talk in detail about the procedure your doctor has recommended. That particular recommendation was based on a number of factors:
- the state of your health,
- the severity of your condition,
- an assessment of alternative treatments or procedures,
- the risks associated with doing nothing at all.
And remember, the final decision is up to you. No one can force you to undergo a surgical procedure against your will.
Surgical procedures performed by making an incision large enough to expose the entire operative area are called "open" procedures.
Your doctor believes that your medical condition and overall state of health indicate that an open surgical procedure is necessary to address your medical condition. The risks associated with this kind of outpatient surgery are minimal.
Of course, no surgery is completely risk-free. But your physician believes that if you decide not to undergo the recommended procedure, you may be putting your health at risk.
Now I'd like to introduce you to another important member of the medical team -- the nurse.
Here's what to expect for your procedure:
On the day of your operation, you will be asked to put on a surgical gown.
You may receive a sedative by mouth and an intravenous line may be put in.
You will then be transferred to the operating table.
Your doctor will scrub thoroughly and will apply an antiseptic solution to the skin around the area where the incision will be made.
Place a sterile drape around the operative site and will administer anesthesia. In the case of local anesthesia, the surgeon will inject more than one spot - to make sure that the entire area is thoroughly numb.
Or in the case of a spinal, the anesthetic will be injected into the small of your back.
After allowing a few minutes for the anesthetic to take effect, the surgeon will make a shallow incision.
The next incision dissects through the fatty tissue and muscle layers to reveal the operative area.
The surgeon will continue, repairing or removing tissues as necessary.
When the procedure is complete, the muscle layers and other tissues are sewn together and the skin is closed with sutures or staples.
Finally, one or more sterile dressings are applied.
