Paediatric Surgery Flashcards
Management of appendicitis
Fluid resuscitation bolus 10-20ml/kg 0.9NaCl
Opiate analgesia
Antibiotics
Surgery
Aetiology of indirect inguinal hernia
Wide patent processes vaginalis permits passage of bowel into inguinal canal/scrotum
Presentation of inguinal hernia in child
Groin pain, unsettled infant, groin swelling (intermittency/variation in size, +/- reducible), obstruction causing vomiting, colicky abdominal pain, dehydration
Groin swelling that cannot get above extending from inguinal ring to scrotum/labia
Increase in abdominal pressure e.g. Palpating/cough/laugh may evoke a reduced hernia
Management of paediatric inguinal hernia
Reducible hernia: elective hernia tony at next available opportunity, safety net tell patient signs of inarceration/obstruction
Irreducible: consider need for IV resuscitation if dehydrated, timely manual reduction if no signs of peritonitis or sepsis followed by repair within 24-48h after settling of swelling. Emergency surgery if failure of manual reduction, clinical deterioration, peritonism or sepsis
Features of hydrocele
Bluefish hue Can get above mass (I.e. Scrotal) Non tender Non reducible Transilluminates
Management of hydrocele
80% boys have at birth, 90% will resolve spontaneously by 2y therefore:
Defer elective surgery until after 2y
Same procedure as a herniotomy
Simple aspiration contrindicated
Differential diagnosis for acute scrotum in a child
Testicular torsion (commonest in pubertal)
Torsion of testicular appendages
Epididymoorchitis (commonest prepubertal)
Benign idiopathic scrotal oedema
Incarcerated inguinal hernia
Rare:HSP, leukaemia
Surgical referral guidelines for acute scrotum
Any boy with high suspicion of testicular torsion
Any boy whom an alternative diagnosis to testicular torsion cannot be made with confidence
Features of testicular torsion
Abrupt onset, unilateral, severe testicular pain
Abdominal pain, nausea,vomiting
Wide based gait, normal abdominal exam, erythematous oedematous hemiscrotum, absent cremasteric reflex, firm diffusely tender testicle, affected testicle sitting higher in scrotum or bell clapper (transverse lie) of scrotum - right testis usually slightly higher
Management of testicular torsion
Manual de torsion if emergency surgery unavoidably delayed (e.g. Presentation in remote setting) - successful in 70%, only a time buying procedure, definitive treatment still surgery
Surgical de torsion
Clinical presentation of Epididymo-orchitis
Testicular pain (less severe than than torsion events)
+/- Lower urinary tract symptoms
Inflamed hemiscrotum
Normal testis
Prehn’s manoeuvre positive (pain relieved by elevation of scrotum above pubis symphysis)
Management of Epididymo-orchitis
If diagnosis certain:
Antibiotics
Analgesia
Oral fluids
Clinical features of pyloric stenosis
Increasing frequency projectile vomiting, non bile stained, postprandial
Feeds readily after vomiting
+/- failure to thrive/weight loss
+/- dehydration, sepsis
Visible peristalsis left to right across epigastrium
Pyloric mass typically olive shaped in RUQ adjacent to liver edge
Management of pyloric stenosis
Not surgical emergency, dehydration may become medical emergency
Immediate: nil by mouth, fluid bolus
Correction of hydration and electrolyte disturbance, aim to correct over 24-48h
Surgical management: pyloromyotomy after electrolyte and acids base disturbance has been corrected
Differentials for acute abdomen in a child
Non specific abdominal pain Appendicitis UTI Mesenteric adenitis Gastroenteritis Pneumonia Midgut malrotation with volvulus Intussusception Irreducible/incarcerated inguinal hernia Testicular torsion Meckels diverticulitis/ bleeding diverticulitis Bacterial enterocolitis Pancreatitis
What is an omphalocele (exomphalos)
A midline abdominal wall defect at the base of the umbilical cord, containing umbilical contents under a membrane of amnion and peritoneum (abdominal contents protrude into the umbilical cord)
Immediate and definitive management of omphalocele
Sterile wrap of bowel
NG tube to decompress stomach
Stabilise airway and ensure adequate ventilation
Establish IV access
DEFINITIVE:
surgery: primary closure if
Abnormalities associated with omphalocele
Aneuploidy (T18, T13) Additional GI anomalies Cardiac defects (in up to 50%) GU anomalies Orofacial clefts Neural tube defects Diaphragm defects Polyhydramnios IUGR
What is gastroschisis
A full-thickness paraumbilical abdominal wall defect associated with evisceration of bowel without any covering membrane (to the R of the midline)
Duodenal atresia presentation and diagnosis
Abdominal distension present at birth and progressive
Bilious vomiting beginning in first 24 hours of life
“Double bubble” sign on abdominal x-ray (dilation of stomach and proximal duodenum with gas)
Management of duodenal atresia
Initial:
Withhold feeds, NG tube for decompression, fluid resuscitation, correct metabolic anomalies, broad spectrum Abx (ampicillin + gentamycin)
Surgical repair
VACTERL associated congenital anomalies
Vertebral defects Anal atresia Cardiac defects Tracheo-oesophageal fistula + Esophageal atresia Renal defects Limb hypoplasia
Causes of meconium retention
Hirschsprung disease Meconium plug syndrome Meconium ileus Anorectal malformations Intestinal atresia
Presentation and diagnosis of oesophageal atresia
Usually picked up on antenatal USS (polyhydramnios, small stomach, etc.)
Post-natal:
Excessive drooling/mucousy
Need for suction and resuscitation at birth
Cyanosis during feeds
Rattling respiration, frothy white bubbles of mucus in nostrils/lips within minutes of birth
Try to introduce an OG tube - arrests 10cm from lips
Thoracic/Abdo xray: air in stomach and small bowel (=TOF) - allows to assess for associated anomalies e.g. vertebral or rib, right-sided aortic arch
Management of oesophageal atresia
Echo: identify any cardiac lesions
Renal USS: exclude bilateral renal agenesis (if patient has not passed urine)
Early genetic consultation
Early complete correction (TOF division, reconstruction of end-to-end oesophagus)
Varicocele (definition, epidemiology, aetiology)
A collection of dilated, tortuous veins in the pampiniform plexus surrounding the spermatic cord
present in 10-25% of adolescents, 85-95% are left sided due to L spermatic vein entering left renal vein at right angle whereas R enters IVC at more obtuse angle
Secondary causes: IVC obstruction (thrombosis, abdominal mass e.g. retroperitoneal tumour, lymphadenopathy)
Presentation of varicocele
May be asymptomatic OR dull ache/fullness in scrotum upon standing
Examination: visible distention around spermatic cord on standing (grade III) palpable “bag of worms” in scrotum (grade I if only with valsalva)