What does neurectomy mean?
A neurectomy is an operation in which a surgeon removes or excises a nerve. It may be used to treat severe, persistent nerve pain, address damage or disease affecting a nerve, or stop unwanted nerve impulses from causing symptoms. The term is primarily used in medical and surgical contexts, and procedures may be described by the nerve involved, such as a trigeminal neurectomy. Although closely related to neurotomy, the distinction is important: neurotomy generally means cutting or dividing a nerve, while neurectomy means removing it. Because the operation can produce numbness, weakness, or other lasting effects, it is generally reserved for situations in which less invasive treatments have not provided adequate relief.
nounSurgical removal or excision of a nerve. The procedure may be performed to treat severe nerve pain, remove a damaged or diseased nerve, or prevent unwanted nerve impulses.
- The surgical removal or excision of a nerve.
"The surgeon performed a neurectomy to relieve persistent pain caused by the damaged nerve."
"The patient underwent a neurectomy after conservative treatments failed to relieve the nerve pain."
"In the report, the surgeon explained that the neurectomy would leave the affected limb permanently numb."
The standard plural of neurectomy.
"The article compares two surgical approaches and describes the use of neurectomies in carefully selected cases."
Neurectomy is a surgical operation whose name literally announces its purpose: the removal of a nerve.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does neurectomy come from?
The word was formed in the 19th century from Greek neuron, meaning “nerve,” and ektomē, meaning “a cutting out” or “excision.” Its components reflect the basic meaning of the procedure: surgical removal of a nerve. Modern related medical terms such as neurology and neuropathy continue to use the same Greek element for nerve.
How neurectomy is actually used
This is a specialist medical term, used especially in surgery, neurology, and pain-management contexts. It is not usually used for the non-surgical interruption or destruction of a nerve.
Easily confused with neurectomy
A neurotomy involves cutting or dividing a nerve, whereas a neurectomy specifically means removing or excising it.