CST Interview - Clinical Scenarios Flashcards
Differential diagnosis for post-op (GI surgery) abdominal pain in unwell patient?
Anastamotic leak with peritonitis, septic shock, haemorrhagic shock, bowel perforation, ischaemic bowel, obstruction, wound infection, sepsis
Why can unwell patients with IBD be difficult to assess in terms of haemodynamics and clinical signs?
They tend to be immunosuppressed which can mask signs of peritonism. Also tend to be young with large physiological reserve
What is a stoma?
A therapeutic opening in the wall of a hollow viscus
How can you differentiate an ileostomy from a colostomy? 2 ways
An ileostomy has a spout vs colostomy flush to skin. Contents usually greenish, loose (small bowel content)
Types of ileostomy? 2
End ileostomy - single barrelled with 1 lumen
Loop ileostomy - double barrelled with proximal and distal lumen
What is the purpose of a loop ileostomy?
Divert enteral contents away from area of bowel that is e.g. healing or obstructed. Ex. j pouch in subtotal colectomy with ileorectal anastamosis
Which parts of the colon can be mobilised and therefore are suitable for loop colostomy formation?
Transverse and sigmoid
Differences between Crohns and UC? 3 differences
Crohns has full thickness skip lesions on histology, cobblestoning on endoscopy and can involve any part of GI tract. UC has continuous superficial ulceration usually in rectum and colon
Risk of multiple bowel resections for Crohns? Symptoms?
Short bowel syndrome - malabsorption of vitamins + minerals. Can be temporary. Diarrhoea + weight loss, malnutrition
At what level of small bowel loss does short bowel syndrome usually occur?
When there is <2m left of 6.1m short bowel left
Risk factors for anastamotic leaks? Split into 3 groups
Patient (smoker, diabetes, PVD, steroid use, malnutrition/anaemia). Pathology (IBD, collagen disorders, autoimmune disease). Procedural (tension across anastamosis, local infection, inadequate blood supply to cut ends, location low rectal more than right colon more than small bowel)
What are POSSUM and P-POSSUM? Stand for and use?
Validated scoring systems used to inform on risk of operative intervention by giving 30 day morbidity + mortality estimates. Stand for Physioloical and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and Morbidity, (Portsmouth). 12 physiological and 6 operative variables.
Other than emergency, how can anastamotic leak presesnt post op?
Indolently with prolonged ileus, vague abdo pain, low grade temp + tachy.
Management of localised minor anastamotic leak?
NG tube + bowel rest, CT and/or water soluble enema. Antibiotics and drainage of collections
Cause of acidosis + deranged LFTs in patient post-op from liver resection?
Portal vein thrombosis
Management of basal atelectasis? Role of antibiotics?
Oxygen titrated to saturations, chest physiotherapy, coughing/deep breathing. Antibiotics only indicated if signs and symptoms present; not prophylactically although patients are at higher risk
General factors implicated in development of post-op atelectasis?
General anaesthesia (surfactant dysfunction, poor ventilation of basal alveoli), post-op immobility (poor ventilation)
Specific incision-related contributing factor to post-op atelectasis?
Large incisions e.g. subcostal discourage deep breathing
4 causes of post-op hyponatraemia?
Post-op SIADH, inappropriate crystalloid administration, drugs, post-op ileus
Causes of rising PT in post-op liver resection patient?
Vit K deficiency OR synthetic liver dysfunction e.g. post-hepatectomy liver failure or small-for-size syndrome
Stages of haemorrhagic shock in relation to blood loss and clinical sking/symptoms?
Stage 1 - less 15%, normal
Stage 2 - 15-30%, tachy, narrow pulse pressure
Stage 3 - 30-40%, tachy, hypotensive
Stage 4 - more 40% (2000ml), anuric, hypotensive
Management of hyperkalaemia?
Calcium gluconate 10mls 10%
Insulin dextrose 10 units 50mls 50%
Neb salbutamol
Serial measurements + cardiac monitoring
4 indications for dialysis in AKI?
Refractory hyperkalaemia
Refractory pulm oedema/overload
Severe metabolic acidosis
Uraemic encephalopathy/pericarditis
Difference between haemofiltration and haemodialysis?
Haemofiltration uses pressure of fluid across semipermeable membrane, hydrostatic pressure driving molecules into ultrafiltrate which is discarded + replaced. Haemodialysis used diffusion of molecules across membrane using dialysing fluid
2 scoring systems for AKI?
RIFLE (Risk, injury, failure, loss, end stage), AKIN (stage 1,2,3)
Definition of oliguria?
<400mls urine/24 hours
5 differentials for post-op orthopaedic leg swelling?
DVT, post-op haemarthrosis/oedema, infection, lymphoedema, fracture
Clinical features of DVT using Wells score?
Active cancer; paralysis/immobilisation of lower limb; bedridden for 3 days or 12 weeks major surgery; tenderness along distribution of deep venous system; entire leg swollen; calf swelling >3cm larger than other size; pitting oedema; collateral superficial veins; prev DVT; alternative less likely
If DVT likely on Wells?
D dimer, duplex US within 4 hours (or therapeutic LMWH + scan within 24 hours), scan repeated at 1 week if d dimer pos scan neg
If DVT unlikely on Wells
D dimer + scan if positive, rule out if negative
4 differentials for post op tonsillectomy pain + bleeding?
Post-tonsillectomy bleed secondary to lack of haemostasis
Not eating/drinking post op
Infection (less likely within 48 hours)
Alternative source e.g. haemoptysis/UGI bleed
How would you stop tonsillar bleeding in first instance?
Examine tonsillar fossa for fleeding points. Use local anaesthetic spray with adrenaline and try to cauterise bleeding vessels with silver nitrate stick
What if no clear bleeding vessel in tonsillar bleed?
Gargle hydrogen peroxide 3% diluted 1:4
What if a post op patient has had a small tonsillar bleed?
Admit for obs - can herald a larger bleed
If more than 48 hours post op (e.g. 5-9 days), what is the most likely cause of tonsillar bleed?
Secondary bleed - infection, also made worse by patient not E+D post op to clear slough
Management of paraphimosis?
Analgesia, attempt manual reduction, urology if unable
How to manually reduce paraphimosis?
Clean + drape, PPE. Glans and foreskin compressed to reduce swelling, thumbs on glans and fingers to reduce phimotic band
How does paraphimosis occur?
Prepuce is retracted proximal to corona of glans, causing constricting ring (phimotic band) which cuts off lymphatic and venous return. Swelling occurs and this worsens obstruction, worsening congestion and oedema.
Sequalae of paraphimosis?
Ischaemia necrosis and autoamputation
Regional local anaesthesia for paraphimosis?
Penile block to anaesthetise left and right dorsal penile nerves (10+2 o clock) or circumferential approach. DO NOT USE ADRENALINE as vasoconstrics
2 other non-op methods for reducing paraphimosis?
Bathe in concentrated dextrose (osmosis); Dundee technique to puncture prepuce and allow drainage, manually reduce
Differentials for UGI bleed?
Varices, Mallory Weiss tear, ulcer, cancer, vessel, gastritis/oesophagitis/duodenitis, drugs, bleeding disorders etc
What impact does PPI have on UGI bleed?
Reduces rebleeding risk and need for surgery, but not mortality in PUD
Risk stratification to predict rebleeding risk and mortality in UGI bleed? What does it involve?
Rockall - pre- and post-endoscopy factors incl age, pulse, BP, comorbidities, endoscopy diagnosis and signs of blood in GI tract
Indications for surgery in UGI bleed?
Severe despite transfusion of 6 (over 60) or 8 (under 60) units of blood, or if uncontrollable bleeding at endoscopy, rebleeding or high rockall scores