| open circuit method | A method for measuring oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production by collecting the expired gas over a known period of time and measuring its volume and composition. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| open comedo | A comedo with a wide opening on the skin surface capped with a melanin-containing blackened mass of epithelial debris. Synonym: blackhead. (05 Mar 2000) |
| open cordotomy | See: cordotomy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| open dislocation | A dislocation complicated by a wound opening from the surface down to the affected joint. Synonym: compound dislocation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| open drainage | Drainage allowing air to enter. (05 Mar 2000) |
| open drop anaesthesia | Inhalation anaesthesia by vaporization of a liquid anaesthetic placed drop by drop on a gauze mask covering the mouth and nose. (05 Mar 2000) |
| open flap | A flap in which during transfer the pedicle is left flat or open, i.e., untubed. Synonym: open flap. (05 Mar 2000) |
| open fracture | Fracture in which the skin is perforated and there is an open wound down to the fracture. Synonym: compound fracture. (05 Mar 2000) |
| open head injury | A head injury in which there is a loss of continuity of scalp or mucous membranes; the term is sometimes used to indicate a communication between the exterior and the intracranial cavity. See: penetrating wound. (05 Mar 2000) |
| open-hearted | Candid; frank; generous. O"pen-heartedly, O"pen-heartedness. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| open heart surgery | A surgical procedure, known as a coronary artery bypass graft, which involves replacing diseased (narrowed) coronary arteries with veins obtained from the patients lower extremities (autologous graft). During this procedure the patient is placed on a heart bypass machine (heart-lung machine) to allow the surgeon adequate time to perform surgery on the resting (nonbeating) heart. This procedure has proven to extend the lives of individuals with coronary artery disease and improve the quality of life. Recovery in the hospital is approximately 7-10 days. (27 Sep 1997) |
| open hospital | A hospital where all physicians, not members of the regular staff, are permitted to send their patients and control their treatment. (05 Mar 2000) |
| open-label trial | A study in which both researchers and participants know what drug a person is taking and at what dose. (09 Oct 1997) |
| open lung biopsy | <investigation, procedure, surgery> A procedure which involves the removal of a small specimen of lung tissue for microscopic analysis via a surgical incision in the chest wall. This test can be used to identify a variety of lung cancers, lung infections and lung diseases. (21 Mar 1998) |
| open pneumothorax | A free communication between the atmosphere and the pleural space either via the lung or through the chest wall. Synonym: sucking wound. (05 Mar 2000) |