Principles of Surgery

Question 1

What is the pre-operative assessment?

Answer 1

Holistic assessment, involving history, examination and investigations, to identify comorbidities which may cause patient complications during anaesthetic (pre-operative), operative or post-op period

Question 2

What are the components of the pre-operative Assessment?

Answer 2

1) Hx

2) Examination
- General
- Airway: Macroscopic; mouth opening (inter-incisor distance >3cm ); dentition; oropharynx; neck ROM; thyromental distance (≥6.5cm)

3) Investigations: FBC; U+E; LFTs; TFTs; Clotting; G+S; ECG; CXR

Question 3

What classification system can be used to assess ease of intubation?

Answer 3

Mallampati Classification

I: soft palate visible

II: soft palate partially visible

III: base of uvula visible

IV: only hard palate visible

Question 4

What does Pre-Op Management involve?

Answer 4

Mnemonic: RAPRIOP

Reassurance 
Advice 
Prescription
Referral 
Investigation
Observation 
Patient understanding