Specialized Surgical Techniques
Some surgeons may perform microsurgery, using a microscope. Eye surgeons may also use laser beams in the treatment of certain disorders. Cryosurgery, a freezing technique, can be used in eye surgery, as well as in surgery on other parts of the body. Cautery, or the use of heat or chemicals to destroy tissue, is another surgical technique. In replacement surgery, damaged body tissues, such as arthritic joints or damaged heart valves, may be replaced by artificial ones.
Bloodless surgery is a technique used to prevent excessive bleeding in the limbs. This technique must be performed within a certain time to prevent tissue death. The patient is anesthetized and the limb tightly bandaged, squeezing the blood out form the hand or foot upward, and then a tourniquet is left in place. This stops blood from entering the limb and makes surgery easier. The tourniquet must be released after about 30 minutes.
In heart surgery, special kinds of drugs are used to protect the heart muscle (myocardium), including cold solutions (perfusion hypothermia). An extracorporeal circulation (heart-lung machine) has been developed by using a pump oxygenator to supply the brain and other parts with oxygen-carrying blood and to reduce the patient’s blood temperature.
