tung1 bo1 zai2通波仔

Jyutpingtung1 bo1 zai2

Yaletūng bō jái

名詞

Definition

Angioplasty; a surgical procedure to open clogged heart arteries using a balloon catheter.

colloquialhealth

How it's used

This term is the standard colloquial way to refer to angioplasty or stent procedures in Hong Kong. It literally translates to "clearing the little waves," referring to the balloon inflation process that clears the blockage in the artery. It is widely understood by the public and often used by doctors when explaining the procedure to patients in a less clinical, more accessible manner.

Examples

keoi5佢soeng6上go3個jyut6月zou6做zo2咗tung1通bo1波zai2仔sau2手seot6術。

He had a percutaneous coronary intervention surgery last month.

ji1醫sang1生waa6話keoi5佢hyut3血gun2管coi3塞dak1得hou2好ging6勁，jat1一ding6定jiu3要tung1通bo1波zai2仔。

The doctor said his blood vessels are severely blocked and he must have a stent procedure.

Common phrases

zou6做tung1通bo1波zai2仔

to undergo a stent procedure

Common mistake

Learners might mistakenly use this as a general term for any surgery involving blood vessels, but it is specifically used for coronary artery procedures. It is not used for surgeries on other parts of the body.