Perioperative Evaluation, Patient Prep, and Post-Operative Care Flashcards
What is pre-operative assessment considered? What 3 things does it provide?
pre-surgical planning
- solid foundation for surgical procedure
- baseline physiologic data for patient
- facilities assessment of disease and relevance to surgery
What 8 things make up the pre-operative evaluation of the patient?
- client communication and owner consent (with signatures!)
- thorough history, including medications and supplements
- physical exam
- dietary restrictions
- lab data
- determination of surgical risk (ASA status)
- patient stabilization
- pre-surgical medications
What 8 things should owners be informed about prior to surgery?
- diagnosis
- prognosis
- surgical options
- non-surgical options
- potential complications***
- post-operative care
- authorization to surgery and acceptable of risks
- estimates (low to high)
Who should the patient history be received from?
owner/caregiver - someone that spends the most time with the patient
- should be in-depth and include previous medical history
How does the history change in an emergency situation?
can be more general and brief and a thorough history can be obtained later
What is generally included in a good history?
- signalment (species, breed, age, gender, reproductive status)
- diet
- exercise
- past medical problems or surgeries
- recent treatment
What is the point of a pre-operative exam? What 5 things does it include?
determines if the patient is healthy enough to safely undergo anesthesia and surgery
- systemic evaluation of all body systems
- evaluation of pre-anesthetic physical status
- body condition (body, attitude, mental status)
- thorough cardiac evaluation and lung function assessment (no murmur/arrythmia)
5 (+/-) full neuro and ortho exam
What should happen if there are concerning or odd findings on the pre-operative exam?
work up before surgery and possibly hold off on it
What dietary restriction is observed for animals before surgery? What does it look like in monogastric animals, ruminants and rodents/rabbits?
NPO - withhold food, offer water
MONOGASTRIC ANIMALS: fast 6-12 hrs prior
RUMINANTS: fast 12-24 hrs prior
RODENTS/RABBITS: high metabolic rate, no fasting necessary
What are the major concerns for fasting in underage animals before surgery?
hypoglycemia can lead to seizures, so only withhold food 1-2 hrs prior to anesthesia
(no withholding water!)
When is water typically withheld before surgery?
when vomiting and regurgitation is a concern
How does the need for pre-operative bloodwork change depending on the situation? What are 2 reasons for doing it?
depends on the animal’s physical status and the procedure
- elective/routine procedure = do it
- emergency = go right into surgery
- reduces risk and increases safety
- provides a baseline for the patient
(take into account for the patient’s behavior)
What bloodwork should be done for patients 6 months to 4 years old undergoing elective procedures? Mature adults? 8+ years old?
6 MONTHS - 4 YEARS: hematocrit [PCV], total protein [TP], limited biochemical and urine screening [BUN, creatinine, USG]
5-7 YEARS: complete blood count [CBC], comprehensive serum biochemistry profile [chemistry panel], urinalysis
8+ YEARS: CBC, chemistry panel, urinalysis, thyroid panel [minimum T4]
(older = more tests done)
What bloodwork should be done in horses younger than 4 years old and healthy? Horses greater than 4 years old and systemically ill?
packed cell volume (PCV), total protein
complete blood count (CBC), chemistry panel
(older = more in-depth tests)
What is the point of electrolyte measuring and urinalysis in dairy cows before surgery? What should be measured if urinary problems are suspected?
right-sided abomasal disease
evaluate the presence of ketosis
BUN and creatinine
What should be analyzed in horses with colic before they undergo laparotomy?
analysis of peritoneal fluid
What is the purpose of the ASA Physical Status of a patient?
classify a patient to know the likelihood of a cardiac event and serves as a guideline for determining surgical risk and prognosis
In what 3 ways are patients stabilized before surgery?
- correct fluid deficits
- correct acid-base and electrolyte abnormalities
- treat underlying infection
(all in elective procedures, not necessarily emergencies)
What are 3 major benefits of giving patients Maropitant (cerenia) before surgery? When is it given?
- reduces vomiting, especially when using Hydromorphone
- may have anti-inflammatory properties
- has the potential to cause smoother recovery from gas anesthesia and hasten return to eating
1 hr before pre-meds
What are 6 common pre-medications given before surgery?
- Dexmedetomidine/Butorphanol
- Midazolam
- Diazepam
- Hydromorphone
- Methadone
- Ketamine
What are 3 common pre-emptive analgesias given to patients recovering from surgery? What additional medications are often included?
- NSAIDs - Carprofen, Meloxicam
- local anesthetics - Lidocaine, Bupivacaine
- opioids
antibiotics - Cefazolin
Why are patients allowed to urinate and defecate prior to induction?
makes surgery easier - less getting in the way, bladder distension can lead to a rough recovery
abdominal surgery —> empty bladder
colonic surgery —> enema
In what 6 situations should surgery be delayed?
- high fever - rule out stress!
- recent gastrointestinal signs (24-48 hrs) - will only get worse after surgery
- pyoderma (skin infection)
- infection - UTI, CIRDC (kennel cough)
- sick - uncontrolled diabetic or hyperthyroidism
- in heat - increases chances of complications, tissues are swollen and more friable
What are Halsted’s 7 surgical principles?
- strict asepsis
- hemostasis (control bleeding and hemorrhage)
- preservation of blood supply (accurate anatomical dissection)
- gentle tissue handling and manipulation
- avoid excess tension on tissue during wound closure
- accurate tissue apposition in would closure (no overlap!)
- elimination of dead space
What are 6 non-surgical ways to avoid surgical site infections (SSI)?
- treat existing infections
- minimize hospitalization time
- pre- and post-op treatment
- proper patient prep
- clipping and prepping skin
- minimize number of OR personnel
What are 6 surgical ways to avoid surgical site infections (SSI)?
- atraumatic surgical technique
- debride thoroughly
- minimize dead space and suture tension
- use good hemostasis
- accurate skin closure
- minimize surgery time and sutures