Minor Surgical Conditions Flashcards
what is an abscess?
localised collection of purulent material lined with granulation and fibrous tissue
where can abscess occur?
in any tissue
what normally happens as an abscess progresses?
points and bursts leading to drainage
what are the main complications arising from abscesses?
toxaemia
pyaemia
sinus
skin necrosis
what do the pyogenic organisms found within abscesses do?
cause cell death and inflammation
what are the key signs of abscess?
pyrexia anorexia vomiting pain swelling discharge (skin abscess)
how should an abscess be treated?
establish drainage
maintain drainage
treatment with antibiotics
how should drainage be established from an abscess?
lance with sterile scalpel blade and flush with saline or weak disinfectant solutions
what is the issue with using weak disinfectant solutions to flush abscesses?
can lead to minor skin irritation
what may be required for deep / internal abscesses?
surgery for resection
how should drainage of an abscess be maintained?
keep open with regular bathing and flushing
surgical drains may be needed for deeper abscesses
when should treatment with antibiotics begin for an abscess?
once drainage is achieved
what other medication should be considered in the abscess patient?
analgesia
what does cellulitis arise from?
acut inflammation?
what is cellulitis?
non-localised distribution of pus through tissue
what are the signs of cellulitis?
pain
area sensitive to touch
pyrexia
generalised swelling
how is cellulitis treated?
systemic antibiotics
anti-inflammatory medication
analgesia
what is a sinus (medical condition)?
infected blind ending tract leading from a focus of infection (deeper tissues) tot he boy surface or mucous membrane
what is a sinus lined with?
granulation tissue
what are the signs of sinus?
pyrexia
pain
sensitive to touch
disease specific signs (depends on cause)
what are 2 examples of sinus formation?
foreign body tract (e.g. grass seeds0
anal furunculosis
what is anal furunculosis?
deep pyoderma leading to many sinus tracts
what is a fistula?
abnormal tract between two epithelial surfaces or connecting an epithelial surface to the skin
what can fistula arise as a result of?
injury or trauma
congenital - lined with epithelium
what is an oro-nasal fistula?
tract between nasal cavity and oral cavity
what are the signs of fistula?
chronic infection
visual abnormality
physical abnormality
what is required to treat all fistulas?
surgical repair
what are ulcers?
the loss of the epithelial surface of a tissue (skin / mucous membrane)
shallow lesions caused by trauma and aggravated by poor blood supply and / or infection
how long to ulcers take to heal?
slow
what are the common areas of the body affected by ulcers?
skin
GI tract
cornea
what are the signs of ulcers?
pain
swelling
visual appearence
secondary issues (e.g. infection
how can ulcers be treated?
remove cause
keep surface clean
dress wound if possible
surgical treatment
what are the 4 main causes of an ulcer?
pathogens
irritants
poor blood supply
pressure
what pathogens can lead to ulcers?
Calici virus
what can corneal ulcers vary in?
depth
what are corneal ulcers caused by?
trauma
bacteria (melting ulcers)
eyelash / eyelid disorders (e.g. entropian)
what are the signs of corneal ulcer?
increased lacrimation
occular pain
occular discharge
blepherospasm
how can decubitus ulcers be prevented?
padding and good patient management
what are the signs of decubitus ulcers?
pain open wound possible pyrexia due to secondary bacterial infections sensitivity around area restricted movement
what are cysts?
abnormal sac filled with fluid or semi solid matter lined with epithelium
what are sebaceous cysts?
cysts of the skin
what are interdigital cysts?
cysts between the toes
what are ovarian cysts?
fluid filled sac on the ovary
what are hydatid cysts?
Cysts found in organs (e.g. liver) associated with echinococcosis
what are meibomian cysts?
Cyst of the eyelid caused by foreign body reaction
what are the signs of cysts?
swelling
visual appearance
restriction of movement
secondary problems dependent on type
what is a haematoma?
blood vessel bursts causing blood to accumulate in tissues
where can haematomas occur?
anywhere on the body
what are the signs of haematoma?
swelling
pain
discolouration of skin
what may a haematoma be caused by?
trauma
surgery
clotting
blood vessel abnormality
what is a rupture?
protrusion of organs or soft tissue through an unnatural opening or tear
what usually causes rupture?
result of trauma although there may be a weakness that predisposes the tear
what is a hernia?
abnormal protrusion of organs or soft tissues through a natural opening
where do hernias usually occur?
through the abdominal wall - umbilical hernia
what are the 3 classifications of hernia or rupture?
reducible
irreducible / incarcerated
strangulated
how are reducible hernias / ruptures corrected?
usually through gentle pressure applied to protrusion
describe a reducible hernia / rupture
contents can be repositioned to the original anatomical location
describe a irreducible / incarcerated hernia or rupture
contents cannot be repositioned to the original anatomical location
what is an irreducible / incarcerated hernia or rupture due to?
adhesions or other complication
describe a strangulated hernia / rupture
contents become devitalised due to the blood vessels being restricted - can lead to necrosis
what is the most life threatening classification of hernia / rupture?
strangulated
when is umbilical hernia most common?
in kittens and puppies
what may be a contributory factor to umbilical hernias in kittens and puppies?
mishandling at births
in the majority of umbilical hernia cases what has moved through the hole in the abdominal wall?
small amount of falciform fat
if the hole is larger what structures may be involved in an umbilical hernia?
abdominal contents
how are umbilical hernias treated?
small ones often left
larger may be treated when a midline incision is already being made (e.g. spay)
the most severe will need surgery to resolve ASAP
what happens during an inguinal hernia?
herniation occurs through inguinal canal
how is an inguinal hernia often seen in females?
swelling by groin extending to vulva
how is inguinal hernia often seen in males?
fat or intestine herniates into scrotal sac
what are the complications associated with inguinal hernia?
strangulation
rupture
what is used to determine the severity of inguinal hernia?
ultrasound or radiography
when is perineal hernia most common?
elderly dogs due to chronic constipation which leads to excessive straining (potentially caused by prostatic hyperplasia in male dogs)
how does excessive straining lead to perineal hernia?
muscle layers break down around anal sphincter and hernia forms
what are the types of perineal hernia?
unilateral
bilateral
why does diaphragmatic rupture usually arise?
trauma e.g. RTA
what is a key sign of diaphragmatic rupture?
animal quickly becomes dyspnoeic
why does an animal become dyspnoeic with diaphragmatic rupture?
the abdominal contents fall forwards into the chest
how will an animal with diaphragmatic rupture find breathing easier?
if sitting up as abdominal contents are kept away from lungs
why does diaphragmatic repair require IPPV?
once the abdominal cavity is opened air will enter the thoracic cavity so patient will be unable to ventilate themselves
what does ventral or abdominal rupture describe?
refers to a tear anywhere on the abdominal wall other than the umbilical or inguinal regions
hwo does ventral / abdominal rupture arise?
trauma as there is no predisposition (e.g. RTA or blunt trauma)
how is ventral / abdominal rupture identified?
CT or X ray
