Miscellaneous Flashcards
William Halstead’s principles
1- Gentle handling of tissue
2 - Meticulous haemostasis
3 - Preservation of blood supply
4 - Strict aseptic technique
5 - Minimum tension on tissues
6 - Accurate tissue apposition
7 - Obliteration of deadspace
Consequences of protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM)
Organ/muscle atrophy
Delayed wound healing
Impaired immune response
Anemia
Hypoproteinemia
Death
Diagnosis of Protein-calorie Malnutrition (PCM)
- Weight loss of more than 10% normal body weight
•Anorexia or hyporexia (i.e., suboptimal intake of nutrients) for >5 days or an expected decrease in nutrient intake of >5 days
•Increased nutrient loss (e.g., through vomiting, diarrhea, severe wounds, or burns)
•Increased nutrient needs (e.g., due to trauma, surgery, infection, burns, or fever)
•History of chronic illness
•Serum albumin concentration ≤2.5 g/dL
Myelogram -  contraindications and possible complications
Contraindicated in patients with:
•Suspected inflammatory central nervous system disease
•Elevated intracranial pressure
•Historical or clinical indication of an underlying encephalopathy
•Potential complications
•Seizures
•Parenchymal damage from insertion of the needle
•Transient neurologic worsening
•Permanent neurologic worsening due to inadvertent contrast injection into the parenchyma or the central canal of the spinal cord
The two major mechanisms of suture absorption are
Enzymatic and hydrolytic
Why is catgut coated with chromium?
Chromium increases collagen cross linkage, decreasing absorption rate and tissue inflammation
The only reasonable uses for catgut
Rapidly healing tissues such as mucosa or ligation small vessels.
Characteristics of chronic catgut:
Absorption mechanism
Time until complete absorption
Absorption mechanism: enzymatic
Time until complete absorption: 2-3 weeks
Polyglycolic acid: Dexon
Mechanism of absorption:
Time until complete absorption:
Time until 50% loss of tensile strength:
Mechanism of absorption: hydrolysis
Time until complete absorption: 2-3 months
Time until 50% loss of tensile strength: 2-3 weeks
Polyglactin 910: Vicryl
Mechanism of absorption:
Time until complete absorption:
Time until 50% loss of tensile strength:
Mechanism of absorption: hydrolysis
Time until complete absorption: 2-3 months
Time until 50% loss of tensile strength: 2-3 weeks
Poliglecaprone 25: Monocryl
Mechanism of absorption:
Time until complete absorption:
Time until 50% loss of tensile strength:
Mechanism of absorption: hydrolysis
Time until complete absorption: 3-4 months
Time until 50% loss of tensile strength: 1 week
Polydioxanone: PDS II
Mechanism of absorption:
Time until complete absorption:
Time until 50% loss of tensile strength:
Mechanism of absorption: hydrolysis
Time until complete absorption: 6 months
Time until 50% loss of tensile strength: 5-6 weeks
Polyglyconate: Maxon
Mechanism of absorption:
Time until complete absorption:
Time until 50% loss of tensile strength:
Mechanism of absorption: hydrolysis
Time until complete absorption: 6 months
Time until 50% loss of tensile strength: 4-5 weeks
Glycomer 631: Biosyn
Mechanism of absorption:
Time until complete absorption:
Time until 50% loss of tensile strength:
Mechanism of absorption: hydrolysis
Time until complete absorption: 3-4 months
Time until 50% loss of tensile strength: 2-3 weeks
Potential use for silk suture material; Where should it be avoided
Useful for ligation of large vessels because it insights significant addition reaction. Should not be used in infected sites or anywhere tissue reaction may be considered detrimental
Strongest of commonly used synthetic suture materials. Commonly used for tendon and ligament repair
Polypropylene
Properties of nylon suture - expected loss of tensile strength in acid environment, timeframe
50% loss of tensile strength in 12 weeks
Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene suture With significantly greater strength in three-point banding when compared with 18 gauge steel
FiberWire (strongest of all polyblend sutures)
Two types of surgical meshes - which one is stronger
Woven and knitted - woven meshes are stronger because filaments are packed tightly
What is the importance of pore size in the concept of surgical meshes?
The presence of too small pores prevents ingrowth of capillaries and fibroblasts, causing encapsulation rather than incorporation
Typical site of failure after application of surgical meshes
Mesh/tissue interface
Most common complications associated with the use of surgical meshes
Visceral adhesions, mesh migration/extrusion, fistula formation, infection
Do use of linear stapling devices has been associated with a significant decrease in the formation of granulomas if used in this organ
Lungs
Four motions of the scalpel’s cutting edge
Sliding, pressing, sawing and scraping