Anastomosis = In surgery, any artificial connection of two hollow structures.

Antisepsis = The prevention of infection by destruction or inhibition of micro-organisms using an agent that is effective and safe to use on living tissue.

Asepsis = The complete exclusion of all micro-organisms and spores.

Aseptic technique = The steps taken to prevent contact with and subsequent contamination by micro-organisms.

ASIF = The Association for the Study of Internal Fixation.

Atraumatic needle = A needle pre-packed with attached suture material; the lack of an eye allows suturing with the minimum of tissue drag; also known as a swaged needle.

Autoclave = A steam heated steriliser in which the temperature is raised by increasing the pressure inside and then injecting steam under pressure to provide sufficient moist heat for effective sterilisation.

Cold sterilisation = The use of chemical agents to sterilise surgical instruments (not the most effective method).

DCP's = Dynamic compression plates; used to provide compression across fracture gaps in internal fracture fixation.

Depth gauge = An orthopaedic instrument used to measure the length of screw required for fixation.

Diathermy = Production of heat in a body tissue by a high frequency electrical current; used to coagulate blood vessels or dissect tissues (also known as cautery).

Disinfection = The removal and destruction of micro-organisms from inanimate objects (but not necessarily bacterial spores).

Endogenous = Produced within the organism.

Ethylene oxide = A sporicidal, viricidal gas used for sterilisation of surgical instruments and equipment.

Excision arthroplasty = A surgical technique involving the excision of the joint surfaces affected to enable the gap thus formed to fill with fibrous tissue or muscle.

Exogenous = Of external origin.

Fenestration = A window-like opening; a fenestrated drape is one with an opening to allow surgical access.

Gloving = The adornment of sterile surgical gloves (there are 3 methods; open, closed and plunge).

Gowning = The adornment of a sterile surgical gown.

Haemostats = Artery forceps.

Lachrymal cannula = A cannula used for the flushing of the tear ducts.

Nosocomial infection = A hospital-acquired infection (especially E. Coli and Staphylococcus).

Osteome = A surgical instrument used for the cutting and shaping of bone.

Pathogens = Disease causing micro-organisms.

Retractors = A surgical instrument used to draw apart the edges of a wound to improve accessibility.

Ronguers = A surgical instrument used for nibbling away at bone.

Scrubbing up = The thorough cleansing of the hands and arms to remove as many micro-organisms as possible prior to surgery.

Self-tapping = Describes orthopaedic screws that do not require a pre-bored hole.

Sepsis = Infection.

Septicaemia = The presence of bacteria and large number of their toxins in the blood.

Seroma = An accumulation of fluid under the skin usually following surgery or an injury.

Sterilisation = The destruction of all micro-organisms and spores.

Tendon transfer = A surgical technique employed to repair ruptured cruciate ligaments.

Thermocouples = Heat sensitive electrical probes used to establish the efficiency of an autoclave.

Trephine = A surgical instrument used for boring holes into the skull.

Thumb forceps = Dressing forceps.

Virulence = The power of a micro-organism to produce toxins or poisons.