General Surgery Flashcards
What is the most common type of colorectal cancer?
Adenocarcinoma
What is a lab finding that may suggest colorectal cancer?
Iron deficiency anemia
What tumor marker is used in determining the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer?
Carcinoembryonic antigen
Left-sided colonic ischemia may follow what procedure?
Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair
What is the treatment for ischemic colitis?
Most cases resolve with supportive care
What symptoms make up Charcot’s triad?
Abdominal pain (RUQ)
Jaundice
Fever
Charcot’s triad is commonly seen in what problem?
Acute cholangitis
What symptoms are added to Charcot’s triad to become Reynolds pentad?
Hypotension
Confusion
(Severe cholangitis)
What is the management for acute cholangitis?
Broad-spectrum abx (zoysn)
Biliary drainage (ERCP)
What size abdominal aortic aneurysm should have repeat imaging every year versus every 6 months?
Annual: 4 - 4.9cm
Every 6 months: 5 - 5.4cm
What size abdominal aortic aneurysm would be considered for surgery?
> 5.5cm
What does the USPSTF recommend for screening for AAA?
One-time ultrasound in men 65-75 who have ever smoked
What symptom is more commonly associated with a right-sided origin of colorectal cancer?
Melena
What procedure is both diagnostic and therapeutic for choledocholithiasis (gallstones in the common bile duct)?
ERCP
What is is used to prevent gallstone formation in patients with rapid weight loss?
Ursodeoxycholic acid
What is the treatment for cholelithiasis (gallstones)?
Observation (if asymptomatic)
Cholecystectomy
Where do internal hemorrhoids arise from?
Above the dentate line from the superior hemorrhoidal cushion
Where do external hemorrhoids arise from?
Below the dentate line and the internal hemorrhoidal plexus
What dermatologic manifestations are seen in Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis?
Crohn’s: erythema nodosum
UC: pyoderma gangrenosum
What is the treatment for ulcerative colitis?
Mild-moderate: mesalamine, topical or oral steroids, 5-ASA
Severe: IV steroids +/- topical steroids initially, then anti-TNF or anti-integrin
Colectomy for refractory cases (curative)
What are the 2 most common reasons for preoperative dialysis?
Volume overload
Hyperkalemia > 6.5
What is the classic triad of symptoms in pheochromocytoma?
Episodic headaches
Sweating
Tachycardia
What are the 4 subtypes of breast cancer?
Luminal A
Luminal B
HER2 positive
Triple negative (basal)
Of the 4 subtypes of breast cancer, which has the worst prognosis?
Triple negative
What is the most common lesion of the breast?
Fibrocystic changes
What are the signs/symptoms of fibrocystic breast changes?
Intermittent breast pain and tenderness that peak before each menstruation
What are the signs/symptoms of a posterior cerebral artery ischemic stroke?
LOC
Nausea or vomiting
CN dysfunction
Ataxia
Visual agnosia (homonymous hemianopia)
What is the gold standard for diagnosing cholecystitis?
Cholescintigraphy (HIDA scan)
*ultrasound is typically done first, but is not the gold standard
What is the ratio of pleural and serum protein in a transudative vs exudative cause of a pleural effusion?
Transudate: <0.5
Exudate: >0.5
If you have a ratio of pleural protein to serum protein that is < 0.5, what is most likely the cause of the effusion?
Heart failure
If you have a ratio of pleural protein to serum protein that is > 0.5, what is the most likely cause of the effusion?
Malignancy or bacterial/viral pneumonia
When performing an excisional biopsy of melanoma, what margin of unaffected skin should also be included in the biopsy?
2mm
What are the risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma?
Male
Chronic GERD (Barrett’s)
Tobacco/alcohol use
HPV infection
What serum marker is most useful in monitoring pancreatic cancer?
CA 19-9
What medication is used as primary prophylaxis for the prevention of variceal hemorrhage?
Non-selective beta blockers (propranolol)
What are the categories of a thyroid scintigraphy?
Warm: normal thyroid
Cold: low or non-functional thyroid tissue
Hot: take up more of the radioactive isotope and autonomously function
What protein measurement best assesses short-term nutritional status?
Prealbumin
What is the preferred form of vascular access in patients requiring long-term hemodialysis?
Upper extremity arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs)
How is a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma made?
Lymph node biopsy showing Reed-Sternberg cells (owl’s eyes)
What diabetic medication should be held 24 hrs prior to surgery?
Metformin
What ankle-brachial index (ABI) indicates > 50% stenosis in a patient with PAD?
< 0.9
What are the signs/symptoms of Wernicke syndrome?
Encephalopathy (disoriented)
Ocular motor dysfunction (nystagmus)
Ataxia
What is the treatment for Wernicke’s syndrome?
Aggressive thiamine (B1) repletion
Replace thiamine BEFORE glucose
What is the most appropriate IV fluid for a preoperative patient who is NPO?
Lactated ringer
What is the difference between central and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus?
Central: decreased secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Nephro: decreased sensitivity to ADH in the kidneys, leading to decreased urine concentration
What hormones are produced in the anterior pituitary gland?
FSH
LH
Adrenocorticotropic hormone
TSH
Prolactin
Growth hormone
What is recommended for patients undergoing colorectal surgery as prophylaxis for DVT or PE?
Intermittent pneumatic compression (SCDs) and low-molecular-weight heparin
What is the most common benign cause of large bowel obstruction?
Volvulus
What is the most common location of a large bowel obstruction?
Sigmoid colon
Why is surgery reserved as a last option treatment for anal fissures?
Because of the risk of irreversible fecal incontinence
What is Virchow’s triad?
A triad of risk factors for DVT: hypercoagulability, endothelial injury, and venous stasis
What is the recommended initial treatment for sigmoid volvulus without signs of perforation or bowel ischemia?
Sigmoidoscopy