General Flashcards
Define these suffixes
-otomy
-oscopy
-ectomy
-plasty
-pexy
-centesis
-ostomy
-itis
-algia
-gram
-otomy: surgically cutting open
-oscopy: viewing with a scope in keyhole surgery
-ectomy: refers to removal
-plasty: changing in shape
-pexy: fixing something in place
-centesis: puncturing with a needle
-ostomy: creating a new opening
-itis: inflammation
-algia: pain
-gram: recording or imaging
Fistula definition
abnormal connection between two epithelial surfaces
Hemicolectomy
removing a portion of the large bowel (colon)
Hartmann’s procedure
(proctosigmoidectomy)
removal of the rectosigmoid colon with closure of the anorectal stump and formation of a colostomy
Anterior resection
removal of the rectum
Whipple procedure
pancreaticoduodenectomy
removal of the head of the pancreas, duodenum, gallbladder and bile duct
what is a kocher incision
from an open cholecystectomy
What is a chevron/ rooftop incision from
liver transplant
Whipple procedure
pancreatic surgery or upper GI surgery
Mercedes Benz incision from
liver transplant
Midline incision for
general laparotomy
Paramedian incision for
laparotomy (midline usually instead
Hockey-stick incision
renal transplant
Battle incision (paramedic)
open appendectomy
Mcburney incision
open appendectomy
Lanz incision (transverse)
open appendectomy
Rutherford Morrison incision (extended version of gridiron)
open appendectomy and colectomy
Laparascopic surgery and port sites
several 5-10mm incisions to allow the cameras and instruments to be inserted into the abdomen via port sites. A site just above or below the umbilicus is usually used as a port site.
What is diathermy
high frequency electrical current to cut through tissues or to cauterise blood vessels to stop bleeding
Monopolar diathermy
can be used in small or large operations
A diathermy probe is used by a surgeon and produces an electrical signal. A grounding plate or grounding pad is placed under the leg or buttock. A circuit is formed in the patient’s body, where the electricity goes in through the diathermy instrument and out through the grounding plate. At the site where the electrical energy is applied, it causes localised burning and tissue damage. As the electrical signal spreads through the body to the grounding plate, it becomes less intense and does not cause damage to other tissues.
Bipolar diathermy
involves an instrument with two electrodes
current passes between electrodes affecting tissues in this area
often used in microsurgery (like operations of the hand)
helpful to prevent the electrical signals from passing through the rest of the body, for example in patients with a pacemaker.
Absorbable sutures
slowly absorbed and disappear over time
Examples: Vicryl and Monocryl
used for tissues that will heal well and remain sealed after suture had been absorbed
such as abdominal cavity and closing tissues beneath the epidermis
Non absorbable sutures
remain in place for a long time and provide support to the tissues
example: silk, nylon and polypropylene
How they might be used:
closing skin by interrupted, or mattress suture technique, removed later once skin has healed
fixing drains in place, removed later with the drain
connective tissues that heal slowly such as repairing tendons
5 ways to close the skin
staples (rapid way to close skin and need removing later)
interrupted sutures (series of individual knots)
Mattress sutures (series of individual sutures that each go from one side of the wound, under and out the other side, then back under again to the other side)
Continuous sutures (single suture that goes in and out the wound along a spiral shape)
subcuticular sutures (single absorbable suture side to side just below skin to pull skin together)
Chest drains
method of removing air and fluid from the pleural space. The external end of the drain is placed underwater, creating a seal to prevent air from flowing back through the drain into the chest. Air can exit the chest cavity and bubble through the water, but the water prevents air from re-entering the drain and chest. During normal respiration the water in the drain will rise and fall due to changes in pressure in the chest (described as “swinging”).
Define guarding
involuntary tensing of the abdominal muscles when palpated
Define rebound tenderness
rapidly releasing pressure on abdomen creates worse pain than the pressure itself
what is generalised peritonitis caused by
by perforation of an abdominal organ releasing the contents into the peritoneal cavity and causing generalised inflammation of the peritoneum
What does serum lactate identify
indication of tissue ischaemia
product of anaerobic respiration and can also be raised in dehydration or hypoxia
Glasgow score
The criteria for the Glasgow score can be remembered using the PANCREAS mnemonic
P – Pa02 < 8 KPa
A – Age > 55
N – Neutrophils (WBC > 15)
C – Calcium < 2
R – uRea >16
E – Enzymes (LDH > 600 or AST/ALT >200)
A – Albumin < 32
S – Sugar (Glucose >10)
classification of haemorrhoids
1st degree: no prolapse
2nd degree: prolapse when straining and return on relaxing
3rd degree: prolapse when straining, do not return on relaxing, but can be pushed back
4th degree: prolapsed permanently
charcots triad
for acute cholangitis
Right upper quadrant pain
Fever
Jaundice (raised bilirubin)
what increases iron absorption
gastric acid and vitamin c
Transport of iron
carried in plasma as Fe3+ bound to transferrin
How is iron stored
as ferritin in tissures
How is iron excreted
lost via intestinal tract following desquamation
What is iron absorption decreased by
PPi
tetracycline
gastric achlorhydria
tannin (found in tea)
Where is iron absorbed
upper small intestine especially the duodenum
What organism causes toxic shock syndrome
staphylococcal aureus
Adrenaline dose for anaphylaxis in an adult
500 micrograms (o.5ml 1 in 1,000) IM
Scarlet fever
reaction to erythrogenic toxins produced by Group A haemolytic streptococci (usually streptococcus pyogenes)
peak incidence of 4yrs old
spread via respiratory route by inhaling or ingesting droplets etc.
What does scarlet fever present with
fever: lasts 24-48hrs
malaise, headache, nausea/vomiting
sore throat
strawberry tongue
rash: fine punctate erythema (pinhead) which generally appears first on the torso and spares the palms and soles, often described as having a rough sandpaper texture, dequamation occurs later in course of illness usually in fingers/toes
Diagnosis for scarlet fever
throat swab is normally taken
Management for scarlet fever
oral penicillin V for 10 days
penicillin allergy = azithromycin
it is a notifiable disease