Pre-Operative assessment Flashcards
Aims of preoperative assessment
Informed consent
Assess risks vs benefits
Optimise fitness of pt
Anaesthesia and analgesia optimisation
Pre - op checks
OP CHEC
Operative fitness - cardiorespiratory comorbidities
Pills - medication - especially anticoagulants and insulin
Consent
History - previous anaphylaxis or DVT
Ease of intubation
Clexane - DVT prophylaxis
Site - correct and marked
OCP/HRT
Stop 4 wks before major surgery or any leg surgery
Restart 2 wks post op if mobile
Nill by mouth
Stop solids at least 6 hours before surgery
Stop clear fluids at least 2 hours before surgery
Bowel prep
Normally needed in left sided operations
- Picolax - laxative
- Klean prep - macrogol flush
S/E of bowel prep
Liquid bowel contents spillage
Dehydration
Electrolyte disturbance
Increased rate of post-op anastomotic leak
Prophylactic abx
Given 15 - 60 mins before surgery
Biliary - Ceftriaxone + metronidazole IV
CR or appendicetomy - Ceftriaxone + metronidazole TDS
Vascular - Co-amoxiclav IV
MRSA +ve - vancomycin
DVT prophylaxis
Low risk - early mobilisation
Medium risk - early mobilisation, TEDS +dalteparin subcut 7 days or until mobilised
High - early mobilisation, TEDS + dalteparin subcut (28 days) + intermittent compression boots
Routine pre - op investigations
Routine: - Bloods - FBC, U+E, G+S, clotting, glucose - Cross-match Gastrectomy: 4units AAA: 6units - MRSA swabs
ASA grades
I - Normally healthy
II- Mild systemic disease
III- Severe systemic disease that limits activity - not constantly life-threatening
IV - Systemic disease which is a constant threat to life
V- Moribund: not expected to survive 24h even with op
How does surgery affect a diabetic pt
Increased rsk of post-op complications • Surgery causes release of stress hormones i.e. adrenaline and glucocorticoids → antagonise insulin • Pts. are NBM • Increased risk of infection • IHD and PVD
Pre op investigation of diabetic pt
- Dipstick: proteinuria
- Venous glucose
- U+E: K+
How to mx insulin dependent DM pt
• Put pt. first on list and inform surgeon and
anaesthetist
• Sliding scale may not be necessary for minor ops - liaise with diabetes specialist nurse
Insulin
• stop long-acting insulin the night before
• Omit AM insulin if surgery is in the morning
• Start sliding scale
- 5% Dex with KCl
- actrapid infusion pump
- Check CPG 2 hrly and adjust insulin rate
- Check glucose hrly: aim for 7-11mM
Post-op:
- Continue sliding-scale until tolerating food
- Switch to subcutanoeus insulin
Non-insulin dependent DM pts
If glucose control poor (fasting >10mM): treat as
IDDM
• Omit oral hypoglycaemics on the morning of surgery
• Resume oral hypoglycaemics with meal post op
• If not eating post-op:
- Check fasting glucose on morning of surgery
- Start insulin sliding scale
- Consult specialist team restarting oral medication
Diet Controlled
• Pt. may be briefly insulin-dependent post-op
- Monitor CPG
Risks of surgery for steroid pt
Poor wound healing
Infection
Adrenal crisis
Mx of steroid pt
- ↑ steroid to cope with stress response
- Major surgery: - Hydrocortisone IV with premedication and then 6-8hrly for 3 days
- Minor: hydrocortisone only for 24h
Jaundice pt
- Avoid operating in jaundiced pts
- Use ERCP instead
Risk of surgery in jaundice pt
• Obstructive jaundice have ↑ risk of post-op renal
failure - need to maintain good urine output
• Coagulopathy
• ↑ infection risk: may cause cholangitis