Complications of Small Intestinal Surgery Flashcards
Septic peritonitis can occur postoperatively after intestinal surgery for any of the three following reasons..?
Septic peritonitis was present preoperatively, but we did not recognise/address it
Septic peritonitis has developed due to intraoperative contamination
The intestinal wound has undergone dehiscence postoperatively.
What is the commonest reason for the development of postoperative peritonitis following intestinal surgery?
Intestinal wound dehiscence
Is the source of peritonitis important in determining the next step in managing the patient?
No
What is the issue of Jackson Pratt drains for septic peritonitis?
Omentum obstructs drain
Is it important to culture the peritoneal fluid in dogs that have septic peritonitis?
Yes/no- The infection will be with bacteria that live in the intestines, therefore we can choose antibiotics based on this knowledge. The patient requires antibiotics to be given immediately but bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity testing takes 2-4 days. We can’t wait until we receive these results before starting antibiotics.
= USEFUL but not essential if finances are restricted
Clinical signs of peritonitis?(7)
- Nausea
- Regurg
- V+
- Inappetence
- Abdo pain/discomfort
- Abdo distension
- Lethargy
Clinical signs of ileus? (7)
- Nausea
- Regurg
- V+
- Inappetence
- Abdo pain/discomfort
- Abdo distension
- Lethargy
What other post op complication can cause same signs as ileus/peritonitis?
Pancreatiitis
So, broadly speaking, can we postoperatively differentiate septic peritonitis from ileus by considering the following:
Onset time
Ileus onset time?
24 hours
Peritonitis onset time?
2-5 days
So how can we differentiate peritonitis from ileus?
U/S
How to diagnose septic peritonitis with U/S?
- Free fluid; collect - degenerative neutrophils.
(there should be minimal fluid 24 hours post op even with lavage)
How to confirm septic peritonitits with sampling of fluid + blood?
Glucose and lactate levels of the abdominal fluid cf to blood.
A higher lactate and lower glucose concentration within the peritoneal fluid compared to the blood are supportive of a diagnosis of septic peritonitis.
How to identify ileus on U/S (2)
Gaseous and fluid distension of the stomach and small intestines
An absence of peristalsis.
If degenerate neutrophils on abdo fluid sample was collected from the abdomen of a dog that was quiet, inappetent and pyretic 72 hours after having undergone enterotomy for foreign body retrieval how would you interpret this?
The predominance of degenerate neutrophils together with the history and clinical findings suggest that this dog has septic peritonitis due to intestinal wound dehiscence. (7)
Next steps for septic peritonititis Tx after confirming with U/S? (7)
- Haem + biocehm - guide intravenous fluid therapy;
- Start broad spectrum intravenous antibiotics;
- Reassess the patients cardiovascular status including blood pressure;
- Start aggressive intravenous fluid therapy;
- Give analgesia;
- Anaesthetise the dog and explore abdomen to identify source of septic peritonitis, lavage the abdomen prior to wound closure;
- Place a feeding tube prior to recovery from anaesthesia
Causes of ileus? (9)
- GA
- Obstruction
- Intestine inflamm
- Handling abdo organs
- Anorexia 24-48 hours
- Opiod
- Pain
- Stress
- Electrolyte abnormalities (esp K)
How to reduce ileus due to:
GA
Minimise time (unavoidable really)
How to reduce ileus due to:
Obstruct
- Sx - relieve
- Recognise promptly