Median lithotomy is a medical procedure used to remove bladder stones through an incision in the middle of the perineum. The correct pronunciation of this word is /ˈmid.i.ən/ /lɪˈθɒt.ə.mi/. The word "median" is pronounced with stress on the first syllable and a long "e" sound in the second syllable. "Lithotomy" is pronounced with stress on the second syllable and with a short "o" sound in the third syllable. It is important for medical professionals to use correct pronunciation and spelling of medical terms for accurate communication and patient safety.
Median lithotomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove urinary calculi (stones) from the bladder by making an incision over the central part of the perineum and then extracting the stone through the urethra. This technique is called "median" because the incision is made along the midline, between the scrotum and the anus.
During a median lithotomy, the patient is usually placed in a lithotomy position, with the legs raised and supported in stirrups to expose the perineal area. After sterilizing the area and administering anesthesia, an incision is made along the median raphe, which is the line extending from the front of the scrotum to the anus.
The surgeon carefully dissects through the tissues until reaching the urethra and then creates a small incision in the urethra to allow for the insertion of a specialized tool called a lithotome. The lithotome is then directed into the bladder to grasp and remove the urinary stone.
After the stone is extracted, a catheter may be inserted into the bladder to allow for draining and healing. The incision is typically closed using dissolvable sutures. Some patients may experience discomfort or mild pain after the procedure, which can be managed with pain medication and proper postoperative care.
Median lithotomy has been a longstanding technique for the management of urinary stones and has been successfully performed for many years. However, like any surgical procedure, it carries certain risks and complications, which should be discussed with the surgeon prior to the intervention.
An operation in which the perineal incision is made in the line of the median raphe.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "median lithotomy" is derived from two components: "median" and "lithotomy".
1. Median: The word "median" comes from the Latin word "mediānus", which means middle. In medical terminology, "median" refers to anything that is situated in the middle or center.
2. Lithotomy: The term "lithotomy" is derived from the Greek words "lithos" (meaning stone) and "tome" (meaning a cutting). Lithotomy originally referred to the surgical removal of bladder stones. Over time, it has evolved to encompass various surgical procedures related to the urinary system, particularly the removal of calculi (stones) from different organs, like the bladder or urethra.
Therefore, "median lithotomy" is a surgical procedure to remove stones located in the urinary system, performed through a median incision or approach.