Minor surgical conditions Flashcards
define abscess
localised collection of purulent material lined with granulation and fibrous tissue
what is the process of abscess formation?
pyogenic organisms cause cell death and inflammation
normally points and bursts for drainage
what are complications associated with abscesses?
toxaemia
pyaemia
sinus
skin necrosis
what are signs of an abscess?
pyrexia anorexia vomiting pain swelling discharge
how are abscesses treated?
drainage
antibiotics
analgesia
how is drainage provided to abscesses?
establishing drainage- lance with sterile scalpel and flush with saline, if deep or internal may need surgery for resection
maintaining drainage- keep open, regularly drain and flush
define cellulitis
non-localised distribution of pus through tissues
what causes cellulitis?
acute inflammation
what are signs of cellulitis?
pain
areas sensitive to touch
pyrexia
generalised swelling
how is cellulitis treated?
systemic antibiotics
anti-inflammatories
analgesia
define sinus
infected blind ending tract from a focus of infection to body surface or MM
describe the structure of a sinus
blind ended tract lined with granulation tissue
state examples of sinus
foreign body tract
anal furunculosis
list signs of a sinus
pyrexia
pain
sensitive to touch
disease specific signs
define a fistula
abnormal tract between 2 epithelial surfaces or connecting epithelial surface to skin
what are causes of fistulas?
injury or trauma
congenital
what are fistulas lined with?
epithelium
list signs of fistulas
chronic infection
visually abnormal
physically abnormal
how are fistulas treated?
surgical repair
define ulcer
loss of epithelial surface of a tissue
describe the structure of ulcers
shallow lesions
what are causes of ulcers?
trauma aggravated by poor blood supply or infection calici virus chemicals urine pressure
what are common affected areas of ulcers?
skin
GI tract
cornea
what are signs of ulcers?
pain
swelling
visual appearance
secondary problems including infection
how are ulcers treated?
remove cause
keep clean and dress if possible
surgery
often slow to heal
what are causes of corneal ulcers?
trauma
bacteria
eyelash or eyelid disorders
what are signs of corneal ulcers?
increased lacrimation
ocular pain
ocular discharge
blepharospasm
define decubitus ulcer
pressure sores
what are signs of decubitus ulcers?
pain open wound pyrexia from secondary infection sensitive around area restricted movement
define cysts
abnormal sac filled with fluid or semi solid matter lined with epithelium
list the types of cysts
sebaceous interdigital ovarian hydatid meibomian
define sebaceous cyst
swelling in skin arising in sebaceous gland, typically filled with yellowish sebum
define interdigital cyst
lesions growing between the toes
define ovarian cysts
fluid filled sacs in ovary or on surface
define hydatid cyst
larval cyst of a tapeworm occurring as a fluid filled sac containing daughter cysts in which scolices develop
define meibomian cyst
cyst in the eyelid usually due to blocked meibomian gland, typically in the middle of the eyelid
what are signs of cysts?
swelling visual appearance restricted movement secondary problems dependent on type
define haematoma
accumulation of blood in tissues due to bursting capillaries
list some causes of haematomas
trauma
surgery
clotting or blood vessel abnormality
what are signs of haematomas?
swelling
pain
discolouration of skin
state the 3 types of ruptures/hernias
reducible
irreducible/incarcerated
strangulated
what is meant by a reducible hernia?
contents can be repositioned to original anatomical location
how are reducible hernias treated?
gentle pressure corrects
may be surgically repaired
what is a irreducible/incarcerated hernia?
contents cant be repositioned to original anatomical location due to adhesions or other complications
how are irreducible or incarcerated hernias treated?
surgery
what is a strangulated hernia?
contents devitalised due to restriction of blood vessels leading to necrosis
is a life threatening emergency