Complete removal of a selected organ or tissue from the body during surgery in order to perform a separate, often delicate or complex, surgical procedure. The organ is then replaced into the body (in its original site; however, sometimes the location is changed). Bench surgery can allow: 1) better control for removal of a tumor, 2) delicate surgery often requiring a microscope, 3) delineation of margins of resection to assure tumor is fully excised or to lessen spilling of cancer cells into the surrounding tissue or cavity, such as the peritoneum, and 4) cooling the organ to permit more time for surgery.
