Gastrointestinal Assessment Spring '24-2 Flashcards
What are the main functions of the GI tract?
Motility, digestion, absorption, excretion, circulation
What are the layers of the GI tract from outermost to innermost?
Serosa, longitudinal muscle, circular muscle, submucosa, mucosa
What layers are within the mucosa of the GI tract?
Muscularis mucosae, lamina propria, epithelium
What is the serosa in the GI tract?
Smooth membrane of thin connective tissue and cells
How does the longitudinal muscle layer contribute to gut motility?
Shortens the length of the intestinal segment
What is the function of the circular muscle layer in gut motility?
Decrease the diameter of the intestinal lumen
How do the longitudinal and circular muscle layers work together in gut motility?
Propagate gut motility
What is the innervation of the GI organs up to the proximal transverse colon?
Celiac plexus
Where does the innervation of the descending colon and distal GI tract come from?
Inferior hypogastric plexus
How can the celiac plexus be blocked?
Transcrural, intraoperative, endoscopic ultrasound-guided, peritoneal lavage
Where does the myenteric plexus lie? What does the myenteric plexus regulate?
Between smooth muscle layers. It regulates mooth muscle
What does the submucosal plexus do?
Transmits information to nervous systems
What is the mucosa composed of?
Muscularis mucosa, lamina propria, immune cells, epithelium
What is the function of the muscularis mucosa?
Move the villi
What is found in the lamina propria?
Blood vessels & nerve endings
What are some functions of the epithelium in the mucosa?
Sensing GI contents, secreting enzymes, absorbing nutrients, excreting waste
What is the innervation of the GI tract?
Autonomic nervous system
What are the components of the GI ANS?
Extrinsic SNS, Extrinsic PNS, Enteric NS
What is the function of the extrinsic SNS in the GI tract?
Inhibitory, decreases GI motility
What is the function of the extrinsic PNS in the GI tract?
Excitatory, activates GI motility
What does the enteric nervous system control?
Motility, secretion, blood flow
What is the enteric system comprised of?
Myenteric plexus and submucosal plexus
What does the myenteric plexus control?
Motility
What controls absorption, secretion, and mucosal blood flow?
Submucosal plexus
How do both plexuses respond to stimulation?
Sympathetic and parasympathetic
What is an Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy?
Endoscope inserted into upper GI tract
What areas does an upper GI endoscopy examine?
Esophagus, stomach, pylorus, duodenum
What are some challenges related to anesthesia in upper GI endoscopy?
Sharing airway with endoscopist
What are some challenges related to anesthesia in colonoscopy?
Dehydration due to bowel prep
What is High Resolution Manometry (HRM)?
Pressure catheter measures pressures along esophageal length
What is a common use of High Resolution Manometry?
Diagnose motility disorders
What is assessed in a GI series with ingested barium?
Swallowing function and GI transit
What is a Gastric emptying study?
Patient fasts, then consumes a meal with a radiotracer and undergoes imaging
What is the purpose of small intestine manometry?
Evaluates contractions and motility
What are the three periods during which contractions are evaluated in small intestine manometry?
Fasting, during a meal, post-prandial
What are abnormal results in small intestine manometry grouped into?
Myopathic and/or neuropathic causes
What does a lower GI series involve? How does this help in a lower GI series?
Barium enema administration. This Outlines the intestines for radiograph visibility
What are the three groups that esophageal diseases are grouped into?
Anatomical, Mechanical, Neurologic
What are examples of anatomical causes of esophageal diseases?
Diverticula, Hiatal hernia, Chronic acid reflux
What are examples of mechanical causes of esophageal diseases?
Achalasia, Esophageal spasms, Hypertensive LES
What can cause neurologic causes of esophageal diseases?
Neurologic disorders like stroke, vagotomy, hormone deficiencies
What are the most common symptoms of esophageal disease?
Dysphagia, heartburn, GERD
What is dysphagia?
Difficulty swallowing
What are the two types of dysphagia?
Oropharyngeal, esophageal
How is esophageal dysmotility characterized?
Symptoms occur with both liquids & solids
What type of dysphagia is characterized by symptoms only occurring with solid food?
Mechanical esophageal dysphagia
What is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
Effortless return of gastric contents into pharynx
What are the common symptoms of GERD?
Heartburn, nausea, ‘lump in throat’
What is Achalasia characterized by?
Outflow obstruction and inadequate LES tone
What could be the cause of Achalasia?
Loss of ganglionic cells of esophageal myenteric plexus
What are the symptoms of Achalasia?
Dysphagia, regurgitation, heartburn, chest pain
How is Achalasia diagnosed?
Esophageal manometry and/or esophagram
What are the three classes of Achalasia?
Type 1, Type 2, Type 3
What are the treatments for esophageal disease Achalasia?
Medications, Endoscopic botox injections, Pneumatic dilation, Laparoscopic Hellar Myotomy, Peri-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), Esophagectomy
Which treatment is considered the most effective nonsurgical option for Achalasia?
Pneumatic dilation
What is the best surgical treatment for Achalasia?
Laparoscopic Hellar Myotomy
What does POEM stand for in the context of Achalasia treatment?
Peri-oral endoscopic myotomy
When is esophagectomy considered as a treatment for Achalasia?
Only in the most advanced disease states
What is indicated for patients with Achalasia at increased risk for aspiration?
RSI or awake intubation
What are diffuse esophageal spasms?
Spasms in distal esophagus; common in elderly
How are diffuse esophageal spasms diagnosed?
Dx on esophagram
What is a characteristic symptom of pharyngoesophageal diverticulum?
Bad breath from food retention
What is the recommended treatment for diffuse esophageal spasms?
NTG, antidepressants, PD-I’s
Why are all types of esophageal diverticula considered aspiration risks?
Removal of particles and RSI indicated
What is a hiatal hernia?
Stomach herniation into thoracic cavity
What are some causes of hiatal hernia?
Weakening of anchors of GE junction to diaphragm
What are common symptoms associated with hiatal hernia?
May be asymptomatic; often linked to GERD
What is the incidence rate of esophageal cancer in the US?
4-5/100,000 people
What are common presentations of esophageal cancer?
Progressive dysphagia and weight loss
Why is the survival rate of esophageal cancer poor?
Abundant lymphatics leading to lymph node metastasis
What is the most common type of esophageal cancer?
Adenocarcinomas located in lower esophagus
What risk factors are associated with adenocarcinomas of the esophagus?
GERD, Barretts, Obesity
Which type of esophageal cancer accounts for the rest?
Squamous cell carcinoma
What are the different types of esophagectomy approaches?
Transthoracic, transhiatal, minimally invasive
What is a risk associated with esophagectomy related to the recurrent laryngeal nerve?
High risk of injury, 40% resolve spontaneously
Why are patients often malnourished preoperatively and for months after esophagectomy?
Pts often malnourished
What complications may present in patients with a history of chemotherapy or radiation who undergo esophagectomy?
Pancytopenia & dehydration
What is a significant risk for post-esophagectomy patients?
High aspiration risk for life
What is GERD associated with in terms of gastric functions?
Incompetence of the gastro-esophageal junction
What are the primary symptoms of GERD?
Heartburn, dysphagia, mucosal injury
What percentage of adults suffer from GERD?
15%
What types of substances are refluxed in GERD?
HCl, pepsin, pancreatic enzymes, bile
What is bile reflux related to in GERD patients?
Bile reflux is associated with Barrett metaplasia & adenocarcinoma
What are the three mechanisms leading to GE incompetence in GERD?
Transient LES relaxation, LES hypotension, Autonomic dysfunction of GE junction
What is the average LES pressure in patients with GERD?
13 mmHg
What is the normal LES pressure?
29 mmHg
What are the treatment options for GERD?
Avoid trigger foods, use Antacids, H2 blockers, PPIs, consider surgery