General Surgery Flashcards
Laparotomy =?
Open surgery of the abdomen (laparo = abdomen, otomy = open surgery))
Colectomy =?
Removal of the colon (colo = colon, ectomy = removal)
Cystoscopy =?
Endoscopic camera into the bladder (cysto = bladder, oscopy = viewing with a scope, or keyhole surgery)
Myotomy =?
Cutting muscle tissue (myo = muscle, otomy = cut open)
Orchidopexy=?
Fixing the testicle into the correct place (orchid = testicle, opexy = fixing something in place)
Rhinoplasty =?
Changing the shape (plasty) of the nose (rhino)
Thoracocentesis =?
Removing the air or fluid from the pleural space. Thoraco = chest, centesis = puncturing with a needle.
Colostomy =?
Opening the colon onto the surface of the abdomen (Ostomy = creating a new opening)
Laparoscopy =
Viewing the abdomen (laparo) with a scope, and/or keyhole surgery
Adhesion =
Scar-like tissue inside the body that bind surfaces together
Fistula =
Abnormal connection between two epithelial surfaces
Tenesmus =
Sensation of needing to open the bowels without producing stools (often with pain)
Hemicolectomy =
Removing a portion of the large intestine (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.
Kocher incision =
Open cholecystectomy
Chevron incision =
Rooftop incision. Liver transplant, Whipple procedure, pancreatic surgery or upper GI surgery.
Mercedez Benz incision =
Liver transplant
Midline incision =
General laparotomy, allows good access to abdominal organs
Hockey-stick incision =
Renal transplant
Battle incision =
paramedian incision - open appendicectomy
McBurney/Gridiron incision =
Rutherford-morrison =
Oblique - open appendicectomy.
Rutherford morrison incision is an extended version that is also used for colectomy.
Lanz incision =
Transverse - open appendicectomy
What incision is used for c sections?
Joel-cohen/pfannenstiel incision
joel-cohen is a higher incision now used more than the pfannenstiel which is a curved incision 2 finger widths above the pubic symphysis.
Diathermy =
High frequency electrical current to cut through tissues or cauterise small blood vessels to stop bleeding. Useful for making targeted incisions with minimal bleeding. Usually monopolar, which means one diathermy probe, and a grounding plate under the patient, the current becomes less intense as it distributes through the patient’s body.
What are the two types of sutures? When is each used?
Absorbable eg vicryl. Used for tissues that will heal will and remain sealed, eg abdominal cavity.
Non-absorbable eg nylon - skin, drains and repairing tendons
How can the epidermidis be closed?
Staples - need removing Interrupted sutures - need removing Mattress sutures - need removing Continuous - need removing Subcuticular - absorbable.
What is a drain and why would one be used after surgery?
A tube left inside a body cavity to allow air/fluid to drain away. Prevents air/pus/fluid collecting within a space. Eg chest drain removes air and fluid from pleural space.
When is the WHO surgical safety checklist carried out?
Before induction of anaesthesia
Before first incision
Before patient leaves theatre
What does a pre-operative assessment involve?
Fitness to undergo the operation - frailty status, cardiorespiratory fitness
Past medical history, smoking, alcohol, medications and allergies
Anaesthetic risk - previous responses
ASA grade
What are the ASA grades?
American Society of Anesthesiologists grading system - classifies physical status of patient for analgesia. I- normal healthy patient II- mild systemic disease III- severe systemic disease IV- severe systemic disease that constantly threatens life V- moribund (expected to die without op) VI - brain-dead (organ donation) E- emergency
What investigations are needed prior to surgery?
Group and save if lower probability of needing blood
Crossmatch if high probability of needing blood
MRSA screening - everyone (usually done by nurses, also COVID test)
ECG if >65/ cardiovascular disease
Echo is heart murmurs, cardiac symptoms or HF
Lung function tests if ?resp disease
ABG if ?resp disease
HbA1C within last 3 months if diabetic
U+E if at risk of AKI/electrolyte abnormality (eg diuretics)
FBC if ?anaemia, cardiovasc or kidney disease
Clotting if ?liver disease
What are group and save and crossmatch tests for?
G+S = testing blood group, valid for about 1 week Crossmatch = Assigning unit of blood to a patient so it's ready to go
What are the fasting requirements for most operations?
2 hours no clear fluids (fully NBM)
(4 hours no breastmilk in infants)
6 hours no food
Always put patients who may need emergency surgery NBM until assessed by senior.
Which medications need to be stopped before major surgery?
Anticoagulants - warfarin stopped about 5 days
Treatment dose LMWH infusion used for bridging anticoag in patients at high risk eg valve/VTE
DOACs stopped about 1-3 days before surgery
Oestrogen (COCP/HRT) needs to be stopped 4 weeks before
Remember VTE prophylaxis eg LMWH, stockings
What constitutes major surgery and minor surgery?
Major surgery = damage to tissues, high risk infection, open surgery (organ transplant, joint replacement)
Minor = minimally invasive, laparoscopy, cataracts, dental
What happens with long term corticosteroids and surgery?
Long term steroids (>5mg oral pred) - IV hydrocortisone at induction in first 24hrs, doubled dose once eating again
How is diabetes managed in surgery? Which meds do you stop/change/start?
Surgery increases blood sugar but fasting reduces it. Risk of hypoglycaemia is greater.
Sulfonylureas (gliclazide) cause hypoglycaemia - omit until eating
Metformin - lactic acidosis, caution in renal impairment
SGLT2Is eg dapagliflozin - DKA in dehydration/unwell
Insulin - continue at 80% of long-acting and stop short-acting until eating again. Start VRII alongside glucose, NaCl and K infusion (‘sliding scale).