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Surgical Recall > Appendix > Flashcards

Appendix Flashcards

1
Q

What vessel provides blood supply to the appendix?

A

Appendiceal artery (branch of the ileocolic artery)

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2
Q

What is the mesentery of the appendix called?

A

Mesoappendix

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3
Q

How can the appendix be located if the cecum has been identified?

A

Follow the taenia coli down to the appendix.

The taeniae converge on the appendix.

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4
Q

What is appendicitis?

A

Inflammation of the appendix caused by obstruction of the appendiceal lumen, producing a closed loop with resultant inflammation that can lead to necrosis and perforation

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5
Q

What are the causes of appendicitis?

A

Lymphoid hyperplasia, fecalith, parasite, foreign body, tumor

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6
Q

What is the lifetime incidence of acute appendicitis in the US?

A

7%

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7
Q

What is the most common cause of emergent abdominal surgery in the US?

A

Acute appendicitis

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8
Q

How does appendicitis classically present?

A
  1. Periumbilical pain (intermittent and crampy)
  2. N/V
  3. Anorexia
  4. Pain migrates to RLQ (constant and intense), usually
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9
Q

Why does periumbilical pain occur in acute appendicitis?

A

Referred pain

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10
Q

Why does RLQ pain occur in acute appendicitis?

A

Peritoneal irritation

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11
Q

What are the signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis?

A

Signs of peritoneal irritation may be present; guarding; muscle spasm; rebound tenderness; obturator and psoas signs; low-grade fever; RLQ hyperesthesia

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12
Q

What is the obturator sign?

A

Pain upon internal rotation of the leg with the hip and knee flexed.
Seen in patients with pelvic appendicitis.

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13
Q

What is the psoas sign?

A

Pain elicited by extending the hip with the knee in full extension or by flexing the hip against resistance.
Seen classically with retrocecal appendicitis.

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14
Q

What is Rovsing’s sign?

A

Palpation or rebound pressure of the LLQ results in pain in the RLQ.
Seen in appendicitis.

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15
Q

What is Valentino’s sign?

A

RLQ pain/peritonitis from succus draining down to the RLQ from a perforated gastric or duodenal ulcer

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16
Q

What is McBurney’s point?

A

Point one third from the anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus (often the point of maximal tenderness)

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17
Q

What is the differential diagnosis of appendicitis?

A

Meckel’s diverticulum, Crohn’s disease, perforated ulcer, pancreatitis, mesenteric LAD, constipation, gastroenteritis, intussusception, volvulus, tumors, UTI, pyelonephritis, torsed epiploicae, cholecystitis, cecal tumor, diverticulitis
For women: ovarian cyst, ovarian torsion, TOA, mittelschmerz, PID, ectopic pregnancy, ruptured pregnancy

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18
Q

What lab tests should be performed for appendicitis?

A

CBC (increased WBC with left shift); UA (r/o pyelonephritis, renal calculus)

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19
Q

Can you have an abnormal UA with appendicitis?

A

Yes: mild hematuria and pyuria are common in appendicitis with pelvic inflammation, resulting in inflammation of the ureter

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20
Q

Does a positive UA rule out appendicitis?

A

No: ureteral inflammation resulting from periappendiceal inflammation can cause abnormal UA

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21
Q

What additional tests (besides CBC, UA) can be performed if the diagnosis of appendicitis is not clear?

A

Spiral CT; U/S (may see large, non-compressible appendix or fecalith); AXR

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22
Q

In acute appendicitis, what classically precedes vomiting?

A

Pain (in gastroenteritis, the pain classically follows vomiting)

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23
Q

What radiographic studies are often performed for appendicitis?

A

CXR: rule out RML or RLL pneumonia, free air
AXR: abdominal films are usually nonspecific, but calcified fecalith can be seen

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24
Q

What are the radiographic signs of appendicitis on AXR?

A

Fecalith, sentinel loops, scoliosis away from the right because of pain, mass effect (abscess), loss of psoas shadow, loss of preperitoneal fat stripe, and (rarely) a small amount of free air if perforated

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25
Q

With acute appendicitis, in what percentage of cases will a radiopaque fecalith be on AXR?

A

5%

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26
Q

What are the CT findings with acute appendicitis?

A

Periappendiceal fat stranding; appendiceal diameter > 6 mm; periappendiceal fluid; fecalith

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27
Q

What are the preoperative medications or preparations for acute appendicitis?

A
  1. Rehydration with IV fluids

2. Preoperative antibiotics with anaerobic coverage (appendix is considered part of the colon)

28
Q

What is a lap appy?

A

Laparoscopic appendectomy.
Used in most cases in women (can see adnexa) or if patient has a need to quickly return to physical activity, or is obese

29
Q

What is the treatment for non-perforated acute appendicitis?

A

Prompt appendectomy; 24 hours of antibiotics; discharge from home usually on POD #1

30
Q

What is the treatment for perforated acute appendicitis?

A
  1. IV fluid resuscitation and prompt appendectomy.
  2. All pus is drained with post-operative antibiotics continued for 3-7 days.
  3. Would is left open in most cases of perforation after closing the fascia (heals by secondary intention or delayed primary closure).
31
Q

How is an appendiceal abscess that is diagnosed preoperatively treated?

A

Usually by percutaneous drainage of the abscess, antibiotic administration, and elective appendectomy about 6 weeks later

32
Q

If a normal appendix is found upon exploration, should you take out the normal appendix?

A

Yes

33
Q

How long after removal of an non-ruptured appendix should antibiotics continue post-operatively?

A

For 24 hours

34
Q

Which antibiotic is used for non-perforated appendicitis?

A

Anaerobic coverage (e.g. Cefoxitin, Cefotetan, Unasyn, Cipro, Flagyl)

35
Q

Which antibiotic is used for a perforated appendix?

A

Broad-spectrum antibiotics (e.g. Amp/Cipro/Clinda or a penicillin such as Zosyn)

36
Q

How long do you give antibiotics for perforated appendicitis?

A

Until the patient has a normal WBC count and is afebrile, ambulating, and eating a regular diet (usually 3-7 days)

37
Q

What is the risk of perforation in acute appendicitis?

A

25% by 24 hours
50% by 36 hours
75% by 48 hours

38
Q

What is the most common general surgical emergency in pregnancy?

A

Appendicitis

39
Q

What are the possible complications of appendicitis?

A

Pelvic abscess, liver abscess, free perforation, portal pyelothrombophlebitis (rare)

40
Q

What percentage of the population has a retrocecal, retroperitoneal appendix?

A

15%

41
Q

What percentage of negative appendectomies is acceptable?

A

Up to 20%

42
Q

Who is at risk of dying from acute appendicitis?

A

Very old and very young

43
Q

What bacteria are associated with mesenteric adenines that can closely mimic acute appendicitis?

A

Yersinia enterolytica

44
Q

What is an incidental appendectomy?

A

Removal of normal appendix during abdominal operation for different procedure

45
Q

What are the complications of an appendectomy?

A

SBO, enterocutaneous fistula, wound infection, infertility with perforation in women, increased incidence of right inguinal hernia, stump abscess

46
Q

What is the most common post-operative complication?

A

Wound infection

47
Q

What is the difference between a McBurney incision and a Rocky-Davis incision?

A

McBurney: angled down (follows external oblique fibers)

Rocky-Davis: straight across (transverse)

48
Q

What are the layers of the abdominal wall during a McBurney incision?

A

(1) Skin, (2) Subcutaneous fat, (3) Scarpa’s fascia, (4) External oblique, (5) Internal oblique, (6) Transversus muscle, (7) Transversalis fascia, (8) Preperitoneal fat, (9) Peritoneum

49
Q

What are the steps in laparoscopic appendectomy?

A
  1. Identify the appendix
  2. Staple the mesoappendix (or coagulate)
  3. Staple and transect the appendix at the base (or use Endoloop and cut between)
  4. Remove the appendix from the abdomen
  5. Irrigate and aspirate until clear
50
Q

Do you routinely get peritoneal cultures for acute appendicitis (non-perforated)?

A

No

51
Q

Which way should your finger sweep trying to find the appendix?

A

Lateral to medial along the lateral peritoneum (so that you won’t tear the mesoappendix that lies medially)

52
Q

How do you get to a retrocecal and retroperitoneal appendix?

A

Divide the lateral peritoneal attachments of the cecum

53
Q

Why use electrocautery on the exposed mucosa on the appendiceal stump?

A

To kill the mucosal cells so they do not form a mucocele

54
Q

If you find Crohn’s disease in the terminal ileum, will you remove the appendix?

A

Yes, if the cecal/appendiceal base is not involved

55
Q

If the appendix is normal what do you inspect intra-operatively?

A

Terminal ileum: Meckel’s diverticulum, Crohn’s disease, intussusception
Gynecologic: cysts, torsion, etc.
Groin: hernia, rectus sheath hematoma, adenopathy

56
Q

Who first described the classic history and treatment for acute appendicitis?

A

Reginald Fitz

57
Q

Who performed the first appendectomy?

A

Harry Hancock in 1848

58
Q

Who performed the first lap appy?

A

Dr. Semm in 1983

59
Q

What is the most common appendiceal tumor?

A

Carcinoid tumor

60
Q

What is the treatment of appendiceal carcinoid tumor

A

Appendectomy (if not through the bowel wall)

61
Q

What is the treatment of appendiceal carcinoid tumor > 1.5 cm?

A

Right hemicolectomy

62
Q

What percentage of appendiceal carcinoids are malignant?

A
63
Q

What is the differential diagnosis of appendiceal tumor?

A

Carcinoid, adenocarcinoma, malignant mucoid adenocarcinoma

64
Q

What type of appendiceal tumor can cause the dreaded pseudomyxoma peritonei if the appendix ruptures?

A

Malignant mucoid adenocarcinoma

65
Q

What is mittelschmerz?

A

Pelvic pain caused by ovulation

66
Q

Should one remove the normal appendix with Crohn’s disease found intra-operatively?

A

Yes, unless the base of the appendix is involved with Crohn’s disease, the normal appendix should be removed to avoid diagnostic confusion with appendicitis in the future

Surgical Recall (68 decks)

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