Minor Surgical Conditions

Question 1

Define abscess.

Answer 1

Localised collection of purulent material lined with granulation and fibrous tissue.

Question 2

What are the signs of an abscess?

Answer 2

Pyrexia
Anorexia
Vomiting
Pain
Swelling
Discharge (skin abscess)

Question 3

How do we treat an abscess?

Answer 3

Establish drainage: lance and flush with sterile saline/surgery for deep or internal abscess
Maintain drainage: keep open and regularly flush/surgical drains for deeper abscesses
Treatment with antibiotics: once drainage achieved + consider pain relief

Question 4

What are the possible complications of an abscess?

Answer 4

Toxaemia, pyaemia, sinus, skin necrosis

Question 5

Define cellulitis.

Answer 5

Distribution of pus through tissue (non-localised), arising from acute inflammation.

Question 6

What are the signs of cellulitis?

Answer 6

Pain
Area sensitive to touch
Pyrexia
Generalised swelling

Question 7

How do we treat cellulitis?

Answer 7

Systemic antibiotics
Anti-inflammatory medications
Analgesics

Question 8

Define sinus.

Answer 8

An infected blind-ending tract leading from a focus of infection (deeper tissues) to the body surface or mucous membrane, lined with granulation tissue.

Question 9

What are the signs of a sinus?

Answer 9

Pyrexia
Pain
Sensitive to touch
Disease-specific signs, e.g. anal furunculosis

Question 10

Define fistula.

Answer 10

Abnormal tract between two epithelial surface or connecting an epithelial surface to the skin, as a result of injury or trauma/congenital.

Question 11

What are the signs of a fistula?

Answer 11

Chronic infection
Visually abnormal
Physically abnormal

Question 12

How do we treat fistulas?

Answer 12

All require surgical repair

Question 13

Define ulcer.

Answer 13

The loss of epithelial surface of a tissue / shallow lesions caused by trauma aggravated by poor blood supply and/or infection.

Question 14

What are the signs of an ulcer?

Answer 14

Pain
Swelling
Visual appearance
Secondary problems e.g. infection

Question 15

How do we treat ulcers?

Answer 15

Remove cause
Keep surface clean
Dress wound if possible
Surgical treatment

Question 16

What are the causes of an ulcer?

Answer 16

Pathogens e.g. calici virus
Irritants e.g. chemicals/urine
Poor blood supply
Pressure

Question 17

Describe corneal ulcers.

Answer 17

Caused by trauma/bacteria/eyelash or eyelid disorders

Signs = increased lacrimation, ocular pain, ocular discharge, blepharospasm

Question 18

Describe decubitus ulcers.

Answer 18

Signs = pain, open wound, possible pyrexia due to secondary bacterial infections, sensitivity around area, restricted movement
Prevention is better than cure!

Question 19

Define cyst.

Answer 19

Abnormal sac filled with fluid or semi-solid matter lined with epithelium

Question 20

List the 5 main types of cyst.

Answer 20

Sebaceous - skin
Interdigital - between toes
Ovarian 
Hydatid - liver/lungs
Meibomian - eyelid

Question 21

What are the signs of a cyst?

Answer 21

Swelling
Visual appearance
Restriction of movement
Secondary problems
Dependent on type

Question 22

Define haematoma.

Answer 22

Blood vessel bursts and blood accumulates in tissues, may occur anywhere. Need to decide if haematoma is due to trauma/surgery or due to a clotting/blood vessel abnormality

Question 23

What are the signs of a haematoma?

Answer 23

Swelling
Pain
Discolouration of skin

Question 24

Define rupture.

Answer 24

Protrusion of organs or soft tissue through an unnatural opening or tear, usually as a result of trauma or disposition to tear.

Question 25

Describe a diaphragmatic rupture.

Answer 25

Usually arises due to trauma e.g. RTA
Animal quickly becomes dyspnoeic as abdominal contents fall forward into chest
Animal usually finds breathing easier if sitting up
Repair involves IPPV as air will enter thoracic cavity when abdominal cavity opened

Question 26

Describe ventral or abdominal rupture.

Answer 26

General term which refers to a tear anywhere on the abdominal wall (not umbilical or inguinal areas), usually arising from trauma e.g. RTA or blunt trauma (kick)

Question 27

Define hernia.

Answer 27

Abnormal protrusion or organs or soft tissue through a natural opening.

Question 28

Describe an umbilical hernia.

Answer 28

Reasonably common in kittens/puppies, may be due to mishandling at birth
Most cases only small amount of falciform fat protrudes, larger hole = abdominal contents may be involved
May be repaired when midline incision is performed e.g. during bitch spay, otherwise it is often left

Question 29

Describe inguinal hernia.

Answer 29

Herniation occurs through inguinal canal
Females = swelling of groin extending to vulva
Males = fat/intestine herniate into scrotal sac
Complications = strangulation / rupture
Ultrasound/radiography used to determine severity

Question 30

Describe perineal hernia.

Answer 30

Most common in elderly dogs due to chronic constipation leading to excessive straining (or enlarged prostate in male dogs)
Muscle layers around anal sphincter gradually break down
May be unilateral or bilateral

Question 31

How are hernias/ruptures classified?

Answer 31

Reducible = contents can be repositioned to original anatomical location, usually by gentle pressure
Irreducible/incarcerated = contents cannot be repositioned to original anatomical location, due to adhesion or other complications
Strangulated = contents become devitalised due to blood vessels being restricted - life-threatening and serious emergency