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Procedures & Tests Beginning With I
9 procedures and tests in this guide begin with the letter I. Every name links to a plain-language page covering what the procedure is, how to prepare, what happens during it, and what recovery involves.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W X
| Procedure / test | Category | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) | Heart | An ICD is a device similar to a pacemaker but able to deliver a stronger internal shock to stop dangerously fast heart rhythms, as well as pace the heart if it goes too slowly. |
| Implantable loop recorder | Heart | An implantable loop recorder is a tiny heart-rhythm monitor placed just under the skin of the chest. It continuously watches the heart's electrical activity for up to a few years, automatically recording abnormal rhythms and episodes you activate with a small hand-held trigger, and sending data to the clinic from a home transmitter. |
| Incision and drainage (I&D) of an abscess | Minor Procedures & Pain | Incision and drainage (I&D) opens a skin abscess — a walled-off collection of pus — and lets it drain. It is the main treatment for a formed abscess; antibiotics alone usually cannot penetrate the pus collection. |
| Induction of labour | Women's Health | Induction of labour is the process of starting labour artificially when continuing the pregnancy carries more risk than delivering the baby — for example when the pregnancy is overdue, waters have broken without labour, or there are concerns about mother or baby. |
| Ingrowing toenail surgery (partial nail avulsion) | Minor Procedures & Pain | Surgery for an ingrowing toenail removes the offending edge (and sometimes a wedge of the nail bed) to stop the nail piercing the surrounding skin. A chemical (phenol) is often applied to the nail bed to prevent that edge regrowing — the most reliable lasting treatment for recurrent cases. |
| Instrumental delivery (forceps / ventouse) | Women's Health | An instrumental (assisted vaginal) delivery uses forceps (smooth metal instruments placed around the baby's head) or a ventouse (a suction cup on the baby's head) to help deliver the baby during the pushing stage of labour, together with the mother's contractions and pushing. |
| Intravenous urogram (IVU/IVP) | Imaging & Scans | An intravenous urogram is an X-ray examination of the kidneys, ureters and bladder using contrast dye injected into a vein, which is filtered by the kidneys so the urinary tract shows up on a timed series of pictures. In many centres CT urography has replaced it, but it is still used in some settings. |
| Intravitreal injection (anti-VEGF) | Eyes | An intravitreal injection places a small amount of medicine directly into the gel (vitreous) inside the eye. Anti-VEGF medicines block abnormal blood-vessel growth and leakage in the retina; steroid implants are used for some other conditions. |
| IUD / IUS fitting (coil) | Women's Health | Fitting a coil places a small T-shaped device inside the womb. A copper IUD works without hormones; an IUS (hormonal coil) releases a small amount of progestogen locally. Both are long-acting reversible contraception, and the IUS is also a treatment for heavy periods. |
Please note: This page is educational information about a medical procedure or test. It does not replace the instructions of your own care team, who know your situation and whose preparation, fasting and medication advice you should follow if it differs from anything here. If you have symptoms that worry you, or an appointment you do not understand, contact your clinical team.