Minor Surgical Conditions Flashcards
Define abscess.
Localised collection of purulent material lined with granulation and fibrous tissue.
What are the signs of an abscess?
Pyrexia Anorexia Vomiting Pain Swelling Discharge (skin abscess)
How do we treat an abscess?
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
What are the possible complications of an abscess?
Toxaemia, pyaemia, sinus, skin necrosis
Define cellulitis.
Distribution of pus through tissue (non-localised), arising from acute inflammation.
What are the signs of cellulitis?
Pain
Area sensitive to touch
Pyrexia
Generalised swelling
How do we treat cellulitis?
Systemic antibiotics
Anti-inflammatory medications
Analgesics
Define sinus.
An infected blind-ending tract leading from a focus of infection (deeper tissues) to the body surface or mucous membrane, lined with granulation tissue.
What are the signs of a sinus?
Pyrexia
Pain
Sensitive to touch
Disease-specific signs, e.g. anal furunculosis
Define fistula.
Abnormal tract between two epithelial surface or connecting an epithelial surface to the skin, as a result of injury or trauma/congenital.
What are the signs of a fistula?
Chronic infection
Visually abnormal
Physically abnormal
How do we treat fistulas?
All require surgical repair
Define ulcer.
The loss of epithelial surface of a tissue / shallow lesions caused by trauma aggravated by poor blood supply and/or infection.
What are the signs of an ulcer?
Pain
Swelling
Visual appearance
Secondary problems e.g. infection
How do we treat ulcers?
Remove cause
Keep surface clean
Dress wound if possible
Surgical treatment
What are the causes of an ulcer?
Pathogens e.g. calici virus
Irritants e.g. chemicals/urine
Poor blood supply
Pressure
Describe corneal ulcers.
Caused by trauma/bacteria/eyelash or eyelid disorders
Signs = increased lacrimation, ocular pain, ocular discharge, blepharospasm
Describe decubitus ulcers.
Signs = pain, open wound, possible pyrexia due to secondary bacterial infections, sensitivity around area, restricted movement
Prevention is better than cure!
Define cyst.
Abnormal sac filled with fluid or semi-solid matter lined with epithelium
List the 5 main types of cyst.
Sebaceous - skin Interdigital - between toes Ovarian Hydatid - liver/lungs Meibomian - eyelid
What are the signs of a cyst?
Swelling Visual appearance Restriction of movement Secondary problems Dependent on type
Define haematoma.
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
What are the signs of a haematoma?
Swelling
Pain
Discolouration of skin
Define rupture.
Protrusion of organs or soft tissue through an unnatural opening or tear, usually as a result of trauma or disposition to tear.
Describe a diaphragmatic rupture.
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
Describe ventral or abdominal rupture.
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)
Define hernia.
Abnormal protrusion or organs or soft tissue through a natural opening.
Describe an umbilical hernia.
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
Describe inguinal hernia.
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
Describe perineal hernia.
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
How are hernias/ruptures classified?
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
