Interventionnelle

Interventionnelle is the feminine form of interventionnel, a French adjective used to describe techniques or practices centered on intervention, particularly in medicine. It denotes approaches that are minimally invasive and often image-guided, as opposed to traditional open surgery or more invasive procedures.

In medical practice, the term most often refers to interventional radiology, but it is also used in interventional cardiology, gastroenterology, neurosurgery and related specialties. Interventional techniques rely on imaging guidance such as X-ray, CT, or ultrasound to diagnose or treat conditions by introducing instruments through small incisions or natural orifices. Common examples include angioplasty with stenting, embolization, ablation, biopsies, drainage procedures, vertebroplasty and chemoembolization.

The interventionnelle approach offers several advantages, including shorter hospital stays, quicker recovery, and less anatomical trauma compared with open surgery. It requires specialized equipment, trained personnel, and careful patient selection to optimize outcomes. Risks can include radiation exposure, contrast reactions, infection, bleeding, and specific procedure-related complications, underscoring the need for appropriate expertise and monitoring.

Practice and training vary by country and health system, but interventional techniques are typically organized within radiology or vascular medicine departments. Practitioners may include radiologists, cardiologists, gastroenterologists, or surgeons who have completed dedicated training in minimally invasive, image-guided procedures. The term interventionnelle reflects a broader trend in medicine toward targeted, less invasive therapies that diagnose and treat conditions with reduced trauma and recovery times.