Medical Terms Library

Adhesion: The abnormal union of surfaces normally separate by the formation of new fibrous tissue resulting from an inflammatory process.

AICD: Automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

Anesthesia: Loss of sensation and usually of consciousness without loss of vital functions artificially produced by the administration of one or more  agents that block the passage of pain impulses along nerve pathways to the brain.

Angiography: The radiographic visualization of the blood vessels after injection of a radiopaque substance.

Antegrade: Forward moving, as in blood.

Arteritis: Inflammation of the artery.

Biocompatible: Compatibility with living tissue or a living system by not being toxic, injurious, or physiologically reactive and not causing immunological rejection.

Carcinomas: A malignant tumor of epithelial origin.

CVC: Central venous catheter.

DEHP: Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate or DEHP is a synthetic chemical belonging to a family known as phthalates, which is used to make plastics more flexible. One of these plastics, polyvinyl chloride or PVC, is widely used in medical applications: IV infusion medication bags, IV lines, catheters, blood bags or enteral feeding bags and a wide range of tubes as well.

Some studies on animals indicate that DEHP may have toxic effects on reproduction and fetal development, as well as the development of the reproductive tract in the early stages of life.

Medical procedures can expose patients to higher levels of DEHP because this chemical can seep from the plastics used into the solutions that are in contact with those plastics. In the case of patients with severe pathologies undergoing multiple medical procedures, exposure to DEHP may be even greater.

Electrophysiology: Physiology that is concerned with the electrical aspects of physiological phenomena.

Embolization: The process by which or state in which a blood vessel or organ is obstructed by the dislodgement of a material mass.

Granuloma: A mass or nodule of chronically inflamed tissue with granulations that is usually associated with an infective process.

Hemodialysis: Process of removing blood from a patient with kidney failure, purifying it with a hemodialyzer (artificial kidney), and returning it to the bloodstream.

Hydrophilic: Having an affinity for water readily absorbing or dissolving water.

Infarct: An area of necrosis in a tissue or organ resulting from obstruction of the local circulation by a thrombus or embolus.

Latex: 1. any of various white viscid fluids secreted by certain plants; the variety from Hevea brasiliensis, the rubber tree, was formerly the main source of commercial rubber. Allergic reactions to natural latex are an important cause of type IV hypersensitivity reactions. 2. any of several synthetic fluids resembling natural latex, including polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride; these are not causes of latex allergy.

Latex agglutination test: A diagnostic study used to detect certain antibodies in body fluids; latex particles are used as passive carriers, and particles clump together following the addition of the antibody. One use is as a serologic test for rheumatoid factor in diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Latex-free: Free from latex materials.

Microscopic: Invisible or indistinguishable without the use of a microscope.

Necrosis: Localized death of living tissue.

Nontoxic: Not toxic <nontoxic chemicals>.

Particulate: Relating to minute separate particles.

Percutaneous: Effected or performed through the skin.

Phlebitis: Inflammation of a vein.

PICC: Peripherally inserted central catheter.

Polyurethane: A class of synthetic materials made by polymerizing an isocyanate and a polyhydric alcohol and commonly used as a foam.

Pyrogen: A fever-producing substance.

Seizure: A sudden attack (as of disease); especially : the physical manifestations (as convulsions, sensory disturbances, or loss of consciousness) resulting from abnormal electrical discharges in the brain (as in epilepsy).

Stroke: Sudden diminution or loss of consciousness, sensation, and voluntary motion caused by rupture or obstruction (as by a clot) of a blood vessel of the brain—called alsoapoplexy, brain attack, cerebral accident. 

All material Referenced from Tabers Medical Dictionary and Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

Medical Links

Articles and Presentations by Syntervention

Article published in Endovascular Today, October 2014:  Keeping the Room out of the Patient [pdf]

Article published in Endovascular Today, September 2012:  Foreign Body Contamination During Interventional Procedures [pdf]

Podium presentation at New Cardiovascular Horizons 6/9/12:  Microscopic Foreign Body Contamination during Interventional Procedures [pdf]

Poster presentation from CVPath: Pathologic Identification of Foreign Materials Associated with Cardiovascular Interventional Devices [pdf]

Review of fiber and lint contamination literature: Publication Review of Cotton Fiber Contamination 2025[pdf]

New fiber-free products address an under-recognized danger to patients: The Catastrophic Impact of Cotton Fiber Contamination in Surgical Procedures [pdf]

Additional Supporting Documents

  1. Bayes-Genis A. Pressure rinsing of coronary stents immediately before implantation reduces inflammation and neointimal hyperplasia. JACC 2001;38(2):562-568.
  2. Belkin NL. Bacterial Penetration vis-à-vis lint generation. J Hosp Infect. 2002;52(4): 315-7.
  3. Belkin NL. The role of surgical gowns, drapes, and masks in the generation of airborne particulates. AORN J. 2000;72(4):678-681.
  4. Beyene RT. Intra-abdominal adhesions. Anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and treatment. Curr Probl Surg 2015 Jul;52(7):271-319
  5. Bookstein JJ. Experimental investigation of hypercoagulant conditions associated with angiography. J Vasc Interv Radiol 1995;6(2):197–204.
  6. Chapot R. Occlusion of the middle cerebral artery due to synthetic fibers. Am J Neuroradiology 2006;27(1):148–50.
  7. Chason JL. Cotton fiber embolism, a frequent complication of cerebral angiography. Neurology 1963;13:558-60.
  8. Chun KC. Infection Following Total Knee Arthroplasty. Knee Surg Relat Res. 2013;25(3):93-99.
  9. Dimmik JE. Fiber embolization--a hazard of cardiac surgery and catheterization. N Engl J Med. 1975;292(13):685-7.
  10. di Zerega GS. Contemporary adhesion prevention. Fertil Steril 1994;61,219-35.
  11. Dragan MJ. Wood fibers from disposable surgical gowns and drapes. JAMA 1979;241:2297-2298.
  12. Duron JJ. Post-operative peritoneal adhesions and foreign bodies. Eur J Surg 1997;579(Suppl)15-6.
  13. Duron JJ. Foreign bodies and intraperitoneal post-operative adhesions. J Long Term Eff Med Implants. 1997;7(3-4):235-42.
  14. Edmiston C. Airborne particulates in the OR environment. AORN J. 1999;69(6): 1169-79.
  15. Elek SD. The virulence of Staphylococcus pyogenes for man: a study of the problems of wound infections. Br J Exp Pathol.1957;38:573-86. Br J Exp Pathol 1957;38:573-86
  16. Ellis H. The Causes and Prevention of Intestinal Adhesions. Br J Surg 1982;69(5):241-3.
  17. Fischi M. Coronary embolization of a gauze fragment: A cautionary case report. Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions. 2005;66:570-2.
  18. Glasgow D. Lint shedding cannot be overlooked. Clinical Services Journal. 2003;Aug: 28-30.
  19. Headon H. Capsular contraction after breast augmentation: and update for clinical practice. Arch Plas Surg. 2015:42(5):532-43.
  20. Heath D. Case reports: Cotton-Wool Granuloma of Pulmonary Artery. British Heart Journal 1962;24(4);518-20.
  21. Holton M. Microscopic foreign body contamination. Abstract presented at: New Cardiovascular Horizons 2012; June 9, 2012; New Orleans, LA.
  22. Huebner GD. Wood fiber contamination of reusable cotton laparotomy pads. Surgery, Gynecology and Obstetrics. 1979;148(June) 887-889.
  23. Janoff K. Foreign body reactions secondary to cellulose lint fibers. Am J Surg. 1984;147(5):598-600.
  24. Jeekel H. Cost implications of adhesions as highlighted in a European study. EUR J Surg Suppl. 1997;579):43-5.
  25. Laird JR. Foreign Body Contamination During Interventional Procedures. Endov Today. Sept 2012.
  26. Laird JR. Keeping the room out of the patient: reducing the risk of foreign body embolization procedures. Endov Today. Octo 2014
  27. Liakakos T. Peritoneal adhesions: Etiology, pathophysiology and clinical significance. Digestive Surg 18:260-273.
  28. Luijendijk RW. Foreign material in the post-operative adhesions. Ann Surg 1996;223:242-48.
  29. Menzies D, Ellis H. Intestinal Obstruction from Adhesions--How Big Is the Problem? Ann R Coll Surg Engl 1990; 72(1):60-3.
  30. Menzies D. Peritoneal Adhesions. Incidence, Cause, and Prevention. Surg Annu 1992; 24Pt 1:27-45.
  31. Mladicck RA. ”Nor-touch” Submuscular saline breast augmentation technique. Aesthtic Plast Surg. 1993;17(3):183-92.
  32. Mori H. Catastrophic Consequence of Gauze During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention. JACC 2017; 10(15) e141-142
  33. Morimoto M. Expansively hemorrhagic foreign body granuloma at the pelvis caused by microscopic materials. Open J Orthopedics. 2012;2:1-5.
  34. Oloff LM. In Chapter 24 First Metatarsophalangeal Implants pp. 338 in Hetherington V., Hallux Valgus and Forefoot Surgery. 1994 Churchill Livingston Pub. Philadelphia PA., ISBN-13: 978-0443087752.
  35. Pajkos A. Detection of subclinical infection in significant breast implant capsules. Plast Reconstr Surg 2003;111:1605–11.
  36. Ramot Y. Foreign Body Granulomas within Intramyocardial Arteries in a Trans coronary Safety Assessment in Pigs. Toxicologic Pathology 2008;36:385-7.
  37. Sari A. The Potential of Microscopic Sterile Sponge Particles to Induce Foreign Body Reaction. International Wound Journal 2006;3:363-8.
  38. Shannon P. Inadvertent foreign body embolization in diagnostic and therapeutic cerebral angiography. Am J Neuroradiology 2006;27:278–82.
  39. Sheldon BK. Cost implications of adhesions as highlighted in a European Study. Eur J Surg Suppl 1997(579);43-5.
  40. Sheldon BK Intestinal obstruction. AACN Clin Issues. 1999;10(4):478-91.
  41. Shiino A. [Cotton fiber embolization during angiography: report of a case with histological confirmation]. Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo) 1987;27:443-46.
  42. Silberman J, Cravioto H, Feigin I. Foreign Body Emboli Following Cerebral Angiography. Archives of Neurology (1960). Vol. 3, 119-26.
  43. Sturdy JH, Baird RM, Gerein AN. Surgical Sponges: A Cause of Granuloma and Adhesion Formation. Annals of Surgery 1967;165(1):128-34.
  44. Tinker MA. Granulomatous peritonitis due to cellulose fibers from disposable surgical fabrics: Laboratory investigation and clinical implications. Annals Surg. 1974;180(December):831-35.
  45. Tinker MA. Cellulose granulomas and their relationship to intestinal obstruction Am J Surg 1
  46. Truscott W. Infections, Adhesions, Blood Clots, Poor Scar Formation: confirmed role of lint fiber. Outpatient Surgery Magazine's Special Addition: Game Changers, June 2020.
  47. Truscott W. Impact of microscopic foreign debris on post-surgical complications. Surg Technol International (2004). Vol. 12, 334-46.
  48. Truscott W. Lint and particle contamination during diagnostic and interventional procedures in the cardiac catheterization lab. Cath Lab Digest (2006). Accessed Feb 2023.
  49. Truscott W. Patients, Particles, Pathology and Pathogens: Understanding and Avoiding the Risk of Particle-Associated Infection. Managing Infection Control (2009). 94-97.977;133(1):134-39.
  50. Truscott W. Lint and Fiber-Associated Medical Complications following Invasive Procedures. Biomed Instrument Technol (2023)
  51. Van Way III, CW. Clinical evaluation of low lint surgical sponge. Surgery, Gynecology and Obstetrics 1982;155(October):529-34.
  52. Verkkala K. Air contamination in open heart surgery with disposable coveralls, gowns, and drapes. Ann Thorac Surg. 1990 Nov;50(5):757-60.
  53. Vinters HV. ”Foreign” particles in encephalic vascular malformations. Arch Neurol 1983;40:221-225.
  54. Von Glahn WC, Hall JW, Sun S. Arteritis in Guinea Pigs, Produced by Emboli of Cotton, Resembling the Arteritis of Hypersensitivity. American Journal of Pathology (1954), Vol. 30, No.6, 1129-1139.
  55. Walley VM. Foreign Materials Found in the Cardiovascular System After Instrumentation or Surgery (Including a Guide to Their Light Microscopic Identification) Cardiovascular Pathology 1993;2(3):157-85.
  56. Weinzweig J. Plastic surgery secrets plus. 2nd ed. North Andover, MA: Elsevier; 2010.
  57. Whelan DM, Foreign Body contamination during stent implantation. Cath Cardiovasc Diagn 1997;40(3):328-32.
  58. Zimmerli W. Pathogenesis of foreign body infection. J Clin Invest 1984;73:1191-1200

 

Follow Us on Social Media