Perioperative medicine and anaesthesia Flashcards
Conditions and Presentations
ASA grade I
- mild systemic disease
- well controlled diabetes or hypertension, current smoker, obesity (BMI 30-40), and mild lung disease.
ASA grade III
Severe systemic disease
e.g. poorly controlled diabetes or hypertension, COPD, morbid obesity (BMI >40), history of ACS/stroke/TIA >3 months ago.
ASA grade IV
*severe systemic disease
* constant threat to life
* MI/stroke/TIA within 3 months
ASA grade V is
moribund patients not expected to survive
ASA grade VI
- brain dead
- used for transplant
Simple airway manouvers
- suction
- head tilt/ chin lift
- Jaw thrust
Aiway adjuncts
- Oropharyngeal airway (OPA)
- Nasopharynx airways
Nasopharyngeal airway
Useful in patients with a sensitive gag reflex when using OPA
Contraindicated in base of skull fracture
Supraglottic airway
- Sits over the top of the larynx
- Can be used with ventilation machine
Surigcal airway managment
- Tracheostomy
- Cricothyroidotomy
Signs and symptoms of c-spine injurt
- Neck pain
- Decreased range of motion in the neck
- Focal neurological deficits, such as weakness or numbness in the arms or legs
- Signs of spinal shock, including flaccid paralysis and loss of bowel or bladder control
Nexus criteria- what is it
- criteria which suggest c-spine injury is **not likely **
- All criteria has to be met in Nexus criteria
Nexus criteria
- Normal level of alertness
- No evidence of intoxication
- No painful distracting injuries
- No focal neurological deficit
- Absence of midline cervical tenderness
What to do if C-spine isnt cleared
CT C-spine
Managment of C-spine fracture
- airway managment
- appropriately sized semi-rigid collar
- block and tape use
- full body stabilisation
Signs of post-operative bleed
- mild pyrexia
- hypotension
- tachycardia
Managment of hypovolemic shock
fluid bolus of a crystalloid
Mild to moderate pain managment
- Paracetamol.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
- Aspirin (a salicylate NSAID).
- Weak opioids, such as codeine, dihydrocodeine, and tramadol.
cluster headaches
- Primarily unilateral and typically more severe around the eye region.
- occur in clusters,
- numerous attacks within small time frame (e.g weeks)
epidemiology of cluster headaches
more prevalent among middle-aged men
What precipitates cluster headaches
- alcohol consumption
- smoking
cause of cluster headaches
activation of the trigeminal nerve
Signs and symptoms of cluster headaches
- Unilateral, severe headache, often around the eye
- A bloodshot or teary eye on the affected side
- Vomiting
Treatment of cluster headaches
100% oxygen and sumatriptan
Prophylaxis of cluster headaches
verapamil and steroids
compartmental syndrome
increase in pressure within the muscle compartments of a limb, typically following trauma.
Signs and symptoms of compartmental syndrome
- Severe pain, particularly evident during passive flexion of the toes
- Pallor of affected limb
- Paralysis or weakness of the limb
- pulselessness
- Paraesthesia
Managment of compartmental syndrome
- Keep the limb at a neutral level with the patient
- Oxygen
- Fluid administration
- Remove all dressings/splints/casts down to the skin
- Analgesia for pain management (usually opioids)
- Fasciotomy
Malignant Hyperthermia
- life-threatening condition
- occurs due to suxamethonium
Aetiology of malignant hyperthermia
- autosomal dominant mutation in the ryanodine receptor 1 gene
- Causes hyperkalemia
- results in increased metabolic rate
Signs and symptoms of malignant hyperthermia
- Rapid increase in body temperature
- Muscle rigidity
- Metabolic acidosis
- Tachycardia
- Increased exhaled carbon dioxide
Investigation of malignant hyperthermia
- Blood tests: metabolic acidosis and** increased creatine kinase levels.**
- Core temperature monitoring to detect hyperthermia.
Managment of malignany hyperthermia
- stop drugs
- supportive measurments
- agressive cooling treatment
Managment of head trauma
- major trauma- given IV morphine (no IV access, intranasal diamorphine or ketamine)
- TBI- sit patiet 30*
Managment of ICP
- DO NOT do LP
- short-term hyperventilation
Confirm positioning of NG tube
- pH (1.5-3.5) aspiration
- Erect CXR tip should ideally be seen at least 10cm beyond the gastro-oesophageal junction
CPAP
- Type I respiratory failure, providing positive pressure
- keep the alveoli open for a longer period of time to facilitate gas exchange.
BiPAP
- type II respiratory failure
- two different levels of positive pressure on inspiration and expiration
Criteria of NIV
- Patient awake and able to protect airway
- Co-operative patient
- Consideration of quality of life of patient
Contradictions of NIV
- Facial burns
- Vomiting
- Untreated pneumothorax
- Severe co-morbidities
- Haemodynamically unstable
- Patient refusal
Steps of rapid induction sequences
- Airway
- Drug preparation
- Monitoring of vital signs
- Drug administration
- Cricoid pressure
Pre-operative anaemia managment
- Oral iron if >6 weeks until planned surgery
- IV iron if <6 weeks until planned surgery
- B12/folate replacement
- Erythropoiesis‐stimulating agent (ESA) therapy
- Transfusion if profound anaemia and surgery cannot be delayed
Post-operative anaemia managment
- Transfusion
- IV iron
- Oral iron
Causes of type 1 resp failure
- Decreased atmospheric pressure
- Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
- Shunt
- Pneumonia
- ARDS
- Pulmonary embolism
Managment of trigeminal neuralgia
- Decreased atmospheric pressure
- Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
- Shunt
- Pneumonia
- ARDS
- Pulmonary embolism
Diabetic drugs and surgery
Post-operative poor urinary output
output of less than 0.5 mL/kg/hour in adults is considered low.
Post-renal causes of less urine output
- Benign prostatic hypertrophy
- Effects of drugs such as anticholinergic or alpha adrenoreceptor antagonists, often used in anaesthetics
- Pain following surgery, particularly hernia operations
- Psychological inhibition
- Opiate analgesia
Pre-renal causes of poor urine output
- Hypovolaemia
- Hypotension
- Dehydration
Renal causes of poor urine output
Acute tubular necrosis
Signs and symptoms of poor urine output
- Decreased urine frequency/volume
- Hypotension and tachycardia (pre-renal causes)
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Symptoms of drug side effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation (post-renal causes due to anticholinergic drugs)
poor urine output after surgery investigations
- Urine output measuremen
- Urinalysis
- U+E
- Ultrasound of kidneys and bladder: To identify any potential obstructions in the urinary tract.
Managment of poor urine output after surgery
- Correction of any fluid or electrolyte imbalances
- manage underlying cause
- urinary catheterisation
Suxamethonium apnoea
- defect in the plasma cholinesterase enzyme
- Patients will have prolonged period of paralysis
Signs and symptoms of suxamethonium apnoea
- prolonged paralysis
- make little effort to cough or breathe spontaneously.
Investigations of Suxamethanoium apnoea
checking plasma cholinesterase levels to identify any potential defects.
Managment of Suxamethanoium apnoea
- intubated and ventilated until they are able to breathe spontaneously.
- do not use in future again
Major trauma, first line analgesia
IV Morphine
If IV cant be accessed, intranasal diamorphine or ketamine.
Suspected TBI managment
- patient at 30 degrees
- If ICP is raising, increase rate of ventilation
Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)
SIRS
Must have one of the following to diagnose
* Temperature >38 or <36 degrees Centigrade
* Heart rate >90
* Respiratory rate >20
* White cell count >12 or <4 x10^9/L
<1 paeds signs
- RR 30-40
- HR 110-160
- SBP 70-90
1-2 vital signs
- RR 25-35
- HR 100-150
- SBP 80-95
2-5 vital signs
- RR 25-30
- HR 95-140
- SBP 80-100
5-12 vital signs
- RR 20-25
- HR 80-120
- SBP 90-110
> 12 vital signs
- RR15-20
- HR 60-100
- SBP 100-120
Peri op guidance on hypertension
Only cancel if BP persistently elevated
•Stage 1 = proceed as normal •Stage 2 = Proceed as normal
•Stage 3 = if no evidence of end-organ damage – consider proceeding with fastidious BP monitoring + A-line. If evidence of end-organ damage or patient is unwell – consider postponing surgery for 4weeks.
•Consider peri-op Beta-blockade – reduces risk of myocardial ischaemia / CVS complications
What are surgical site infections (SSI)?
Infections that occur following a breach in tissue surfaces, allowing normal commensals and pathogens to initiate infection
SSI are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, comprising up to 20% of all healthcare-associated infections.
What percentage of patients undergoing surgery will develop an SSI?
At least 5%
SSI can significantly impact recovery and hospital stay.
What are common measures that may increase the risk of SSI?
- Shaving the wound with a razor
- Using non-iodine impregnated incise drapes
- Tissue hypoxia
- Delayed administration of prophylactic antibiotics in tourniquet surgery
What is the recommended method for hair removal before surgery?
Use electrical clippers with a single-use head
Razors increase infection risk.
When should antibiotic prophylaxis be administered?
- Placement of prosthesis or valve
- Clean-contaminated surgery
- Contaminated surgery
What is the preferred method for skin preparation to reduce SSI?
Alcoholic chlorhexidine
This method has the lowest incidence of SSI.
True or False: Administration of supplementary oxygen reduces the risk of wound infection.
False
A recent meta-analysis confirmed that supplementary oxygen does not reduce the risk of wound infection.
What are the two main types of respiratory failure?
- Type 1: ↓ pO2 with normal or ↓ pCO2
- Type 2: ↑ pCO2 with normal or ↓ pO2
What causes type 1 respiratory failure?
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary embolism
- Asthma
- Pulmonary oedema
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome
What causes type 2 respiratory failure?
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Decompensation in other respiratory conditions
- Neuromuscular disease
- Obesity hypoventilation syndrome
- Sedative drugs (e.g., benzodiazepines, opiate overdose)
What are the key indications for non-invasive ventilation (NIV)?
- COPD with respiratory acidosis (pH 7.25-7.35)
- Type II respiratory failure due to chest wall deformity, neuromuscular disease, or obstructive sleep apnoea
- Cardiogenic pulmonary oedema unresponsive to CPAP
- Weaning from tracheal intubation
What are the recommended initial settings for bi-level pressure support in COPD?
- EPAP: 4-5 cm H2O
- IPAP: 10-15 cm H2O
- Back up rate: 15 breaths/min
- Back up inspiration:expiration ratio: 1:3
What is the mechanism of action of ADP receptor inhibitors?
Inhibition of the P2Y12 receptor, leading to reduced platelet aggregation
ADP is a key platelet activation factor.
What are the first-line and second-line treatments for acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?
- 1st line: Aspirin (lifelong) & Ticagrelor (12 months)
- 2nd line: Clopidogrel (lifelong) if aspirin is contraindicated
What notable adverse effect is associated with Ticagrelor?
Dyspnoea
This is due to impaired clearance of adenosine.
What are the contraindications for Prasugrel?
- Prior stroke or transient ischaemic attack
- High risk of bleeding
- Prasugrel hypersensitivity