The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy

The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy

Languages: English and many others such as Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Spanish.

No. of terms: n.a.

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Description: The history of the Merck Manual goes back to 1899, when the American drug manufacturer Merck & Co. first published a small book titled Merck’s Manual of the Materia Medica.  The Merck Manual (as it was later known) became a favorite of those involved in medical care and and even Albert Schweitzer carried a copy to Africa in 1913.

By the 1980s, the book had become the world’s largest selling medical text and was translated into more than a dozen languages. In 1997, The Merck Manual of Medical Information–Home Edition was published, in which the complex medical information in The Merck Manual was translated into plain language.

As part of its commitment to ensuring that all who need and want medical information can get it, Merck provides the content of these Merck Manuals on the web for free (visit www.merckmanuals.com). Registration is not required, and use is unlimited. The web publications are continuously updated to ensure that the information is as up-to-date as possible.

[Part of this text is taken from: http://www.merck.com/mmpe/about/front/commitment.html]

Example term: Laparoscopy
Diagnostic laparoscopy is a surgical procedure used to evaluate intra-abdominal or pelvic pathology (eg, tumor, endometriosis) in patients with acute or chronic abdominal pain and operability in patients with cancer. It is also used for lymphoma staging and liver biopsy. Absolute contraindications include a coagulation or bleeding disorder, poor patient cooperation, peritonitis, intestinal obstruction, and infection of the abdominal wall. Relative contraindications include severe cardiac or pulmonary disease, large abdominal hernias, multiple abdominal operations, and tense ascites.

CBC, coagulation studies, and type and Rh testing are obtained before laparoscopy. X‑rays of the chest, kidneys, ureters, and bladder are also obtained. Laparoscopy is performed with sterile technique in an operating room or a well-equipped endoscopy suite. The patient is given local anesthesia plus IV sedation and analgesia with an opioid and short-acting sedative (eg, midazolam or propofol ).

The procedure involves insertion of a pneumoperitoneum needle into the peritoneal cavity and infusion of nitrous oxide to distend the abdomen. After the opening is enlarged, a peritoneoscope is inserted into the abdomen and the abdominal contents are examined. Surgical instruments for biopsy and other procedures are inserted through separate openings. When the procedure is completed, the nitrous oxide is expelled by the patient with a Valsalva maneuver and the cannula is removed. Complications can include bleeding, bacterial peritonitis, and perforation of a viscus.

Keywords: Merck Manual, Diagnosis, Therapy, Medical Dictionary, Medical Encyclopedia, Merck, Condictions, Health

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