| elective | Subject to the choice or decision of the patient or physician, applied to procedures that are advantageous to the patient but not urgent. (18 Nov 1997) |
|---|---|
| elective abortion | The planned termination of a pregnancy. (27 Sep 1997) |
| elective culture | A method of isolating microorganisms capable of utilizing a specific substrate by incubating an inoculum in a medium containing the substrate; the medium usually contains substances or has characteristics that inhibit the growth of unwanted microorganisms. Synonym: enrichment culture. (05 Mar 2000) |
| elective mutism | Mutism due to psychogenic causes. Synonym: voluntary mutism. (05 Mar 2000) |
| elective surgery | Surgery which is not needed immediately, i.e., one for a non-life-threatening disorder. (09 Oct 1997) |
| surgical procedures, elective | Surgery which could be postponed or not done at all without danger to the patient. Elective surgery includes procedures to correct non-life-threatening medical problems as well as to alleviate conditions causing psychological stress or other potential risk to patients, e.g., cosmetic or contraceptive surgery. (12 Dec 1998) |
|---|