NMS Intro Wisdm Flashcards
What are 4 binary classifications for suture types?
Braided vs. Monofilament
Absorbable vs. No absorbable
Natural vs. Synthetic
(Pop vs running)
Why do we use titanium for staples instead if steel?
Because it is MRI compatible.
Why do we NG drainage (usually with a sump tube) for a GI tract that is nonfunctional for >1/2 days or obstucted?
Because the decompression that results from drainage lessens abdominal distention, intestinal dilation, nausea, and vomiting.
Also, because drainage allows us to determine the AMOUNT and TYPE of luminal fluid loss so that appropriate replacement can be made.
Describe situations that require tube drainage:
- Chest tube drainage if pleural space to evacuate air or blood.
- NG drainage of GI tract for prolonged nonfunction or obstruction.
- Areas where body fluids can collect internally.
- Procedures such as skin flaps where large raw surfaces are to be kept opposed (require SUCTION drainage)
- Deep abscesses (but NOT generalized infections) that are not amenable to simple incision.
What is a space that cannot be drained?
The free peritoneal space, because tubes are quickly “walled off”.
Therefore, diffuse peritonitis cannot be drained (althoug drainnage may still be an option for localized collections.
When should drains be removed?
When they have fulfilled their purpose, and no later!
- When main risk of leakage has passed (as in liver resections, urinary bladder procedures)
- When a drain that is used for postoperative fluid collections no longer has any substantial drainage.
- When a drain is used in a reconstructive procedure, it is removed once the repair is deemed safe.
What is an important thing to remember about drains used for urine leaks after urinary bladder procedures?
A urine leak will not be noticeable until AFTER the bladder catheter (Foley) is removed.
Therefore, these drains are removed 1 day after the foley is removed.
What is the name of an NG tube with an inflatable balloon, and what is it used for?
Gastroesophagral balloon tamponade tube (Sengstaken-Blakemore or Minnesota tube).
Used to compress and tamponade bleeding esophageal varices.
Where would the use of long intestinal tubes (Miller-Abbot is double lumen, and Cantor tube is single lumen) be appropriate?
For relieving recurrent SBOs (for the first episode, perform laparotomy and lysis of adhesions)
For cases with multiple areas of partial obstructions (ex. Radiation enteritis)
Of the GI tubes used for feeding purposes, which is the one that can be inserted endoscopically?
Gastrostomy (G) tubes can be inserted endoscopically (PEG tube placement) or surgically.
Jejunostomy (J) tubes can only be inserted surgically.
PEG= percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
What are the three main classes of surgical tubes?
- Drainage tubes
- GI tubes
- Catheters and hemodyalisis tube
Describe the placement of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC, pick line).
Is placed via an antecubital vein and threated oroximallymto an intrathoracic vein.
What is the function of Dacron felt cuffs in cuffed central venous catheters (Hickman-type) and in Tenckhoff peritoneal dialysis catheters?
These cuffs promote ingrowth of granulation tissue, which functions to secure the catheter’s position and as a mechanical barrier to organisms entering via the skin exit site for these catheters that are meant to remain for prolonged periods of time.
In PD cathetheters, these are TWO dacron cuffs, one adjacent to the peritoneum (serves as a barrier against leakage) and one adjacent to the skin exit site (barrier against infection).
What is a hernia?
Abnormal protrusion of intra-abdominal contents through a defect in the abdominal wall.
Which is the LEAST common type of hernia?
Umbilical (3-8%) < incisional/ventral (8-10%) < inguinal (75-80%)
What is the danger of a Richter’s hernia?
In this type of hernia, only one side of the bowel wall is trapped in the hernia (typically the ANTIMESENTERIC side), rather than the entire loop of bowel.
Therefore, by definition, this type of hernia cannot be obstructing, since it does not contain a whole loop of bowel and does NOT obstruct the GI tract.
The danger is precisely due to that: the incarcerated portion of bowel can necrose and perforate in the absence of GI obstructive symptoms.