postoperativeadj.n.
/ˌpəʊstˈɒp(ə)rətɪv/, U.S. /ˌpoʊsˈtɑp(ə)rədɪv/ Chiefly Medicine.
A. adj.
Relating to or occurring during the period following a surgical operation; used for or in the care of patients who have undergone surgery. Also: (of a person) having recently undergone surgery. Cf. post-op adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > characteristics > [adjective] > other characteristics
hoteOE
redeOE
foulOE
elvishc1386
dryc1400
whitec1450
Naples1507
shaking1528
cold1569
exquisite1583
unpure1583
waterish1583
wandering1585
legitimate1615
sulphureous1625
tetrous1637
cagastrical1662
medical1676
ambulatory1684
ebullient1684
frantic1709
animated1721
progressive1736
cagastric1753
vegetative1803
left-handed1804
specific1804
subacute1811
animate1816
gregarious1822
vernal1822
ambilateral1824
subchronic1831
regressive1845
nummular1866
postoperative1872
ambulant1873
non-surgical1888
progredient1891
spodogenous1897
spodogenic19..
non-invasive1932
early-onset1951
adult-onset1957
non-specific1964
the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > surgery > [adjective] > relating to operation > after operation
postoperative1872
post-operation1904
post-op1906
1872 Med. Times & Gaz. 1 June 619/2 The crucial system..is attended with less tension from post-operative swelling and inflammation.
1886 Lancet 2 Jan. 13/2 The success of the operation depends..on the manner of operating, as well as on the subsequent care and post-operative dressings.
1898 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. V. 309 In the first flush of that post-operative quiescence that we all so well recognise as a characteristic of nervous ailments.
1925 E. Hemingway In our Time (1926) 24 ‘I'm terribly sorry I brought you along, Nickie,’ said his father, all his post-operative exhilaration gone.
1977 New Yorker 12 Sept. 114/2 Postoperative patients are always complaining about the quality of hospital food.
1993 B. Moyers Healing & Mind i. 18 We have studies showing that if patients get a lot of education before the operation about what to expect in the operation..then they will have a better postoperative course.
2011 P. G. Lacouture in R. S. Sinatra et al. Essence Analgesia & Analgesics ix. 48 There was an increased risk of persistent post-operative pain with radiotherapy.
B. n.
A person who has recently undergone a surgical operation. Cf. post-op n. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > patient > [noun] > having undergone operations or treatments > recently
postoperative1898
post-op1922
1898 Med. Rev. of Reviews 4 Index 71/1 Appendicitis Cases, Post-Operatives, Hernia of.
1915 Colorado Med. Apr. 122/1 The post-operatives were divided as to viscera involved as follows: Colonic 12; duodenal 9; [etc.].
1956 K. Hulme Nun's Story x. 160 Sister Luke examined some of his post-operatives.
1985 Chicago Tribune (Nexis) 6 Sept. 1 c A recent medical survey of more than 5,000 lipo-suctioning postoperatives..found that only 2 percent reported anything more serious than temporary numbness.
2010 D. A. Reisman Health Tourism iii. 24 The Matilda Hospital in Hong Kong has serviced apartments within its grounds for caregiver companions and convalescent post-operatives.
Derivatives
postˈoperatively adv. after a surgical operation.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > surgery > [adverb] > operation > during, before, or after operation
postoperatively1899
preoperatively1901
post-operation1934
peroperatively1971
perioperatively1977
1899 Therapeutic Gaz. 15 Dec. 810/2 Bad judgment of the anesthetist is most likely to result in an imperfect or too profound narcosis, and consequent death on the table or postoperatively.
1961 Lancet 26 Aug. 491/1 Why not give sedatives postoperatively by mouth instead of by injection.
2011 Dr Podcast Scripts Final FRCA i. 57 It may be necessary for them to be nursed on high-dependency or intensive care post-operatively.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.1872