Principles of Surgery Flashcards
Define sepsis
Presence of pathogens and toxic products in tissues
Define asepsis
Absence of pathogenic microbes in tissues
Define antiseptic
Chemical agent that kils or inhibits pathogenic microorganisms; ONLY for agents applied to the body
Define disinfectant
Chemical that kills microorganisms on inanimate objects
Define disinfection
The removal of microorganisms but not necessarily their spores
Define sterilisation
Complete elimination of microbial viability by physical/chemical means
What can wound infection lead to?
Adverse effect on procedureAdverse effect on general healthIncreased morbidity and moralityFurther treatment neededIncreased costsIncreased hospital stay
What will almost all surgical wounds become?
Contaminated but not all infected
What three things are the factors involved in sugical wound infection?
BacteriaLocal wound environmentLocal and systemic defence
What bacterial factors affect there ability to cause infection?
Presence and growthNumber of bacteriaType and virulence of bacteriaDuration of exposure to bacteriaTiming of exposure to bacteria
When are the host defences at their lowest in relation to surgery?
First three hours after wounding
What are the surgical factors affecting the risk of wound infection?
Duration of surgeryPatient and surgeon preparationType of surgery
What four things in surgical wounds can increase chances of infection?
Dead space and seromaForeign materialBlood clotsDevitalised tissue
What are the patient factors that can increase the risk of wound infection?
AgeNutritionDiseasesTherapy
Which ages of dogs are more at yisk of wound infections?
Young and old (>8yrs)
Give some examples of diseases that can increase the risk of wound infection
DiabetesRenal failureEnocrinopathiesCancerHypoalbuminaemiaTraumaInfectionInflammationImmunodeficiency
What are the four NRC categories of wound classification?
CleanClean-contaminatedContaminatedDirty
Describe a clean wound
Non-traumaticElective surgery with primary intention healingNo inflammationNo break in aseptic techniqueRespiratory, alimentary or urogenital tract not entered
Describe a clean-contaminated wound
GI or respiratory tract entered without spillageUrogenital tract entered in absence of infectionBiliary tract entered in absence of infected bileMinor break in aspetic technique
Describe a contaminated wound
Gross spillage from GITEntrance into urogenital or biliary tract with infectionFresh traumatic woundMajor break in aseptic technique
Describe a dirty wound
Perforated viscus encounteredAcute bacterial inflammationPus encounteredTraumatic wound greater than 4 hoursTransection of clean tissue
How does the infection rate vary with categories of wound?
Increases with increased contamination
What is the decisive period?
First 2-3 hours after wound exposure/inoculation
When is there intense activity between bacteria and host in wounds?
Decisive period
When is abtibiotic treatment only beneficial?
First 3 hours - decisive period
Why should we provide antibiotics 1 hour before surgery or wound inoculation?
To allow time for them to reach the necessary concentrations within the body to combat infection
What are the four key areas within aseptic technique?
Surgeon preparationSurgical instrumentsPatient preparationOperating theatre
What are the non-sterile barriers we use in aseptic techniques?
Scrub suitsCapShoes/shoe coversFace mask
What are the three areas in which the surgeon prepares aseptically?
Non-sterile barriersSkin preparation (scrubbing up)Sterile barriers
What are the two sterile barriers that vets use?
Gowns and gloves
Describe how scrub suits and shoes should be worn for aseptic techinque
Limit transmission of dirt, debris and bacteriaMade from loose weave lint-free fabricA barrier for danderWorn only in theatreTops tucked into trousersTrousers tucked into boots
Describe the key points to be done before scrubbing up
Remove all jewelleryNails short and cleanMask on before scrubbingAppropriate antisepticBrush and soap readyWater running at correct speed and temperature
What are the two recognised methods for scrubbing up?
Timed scrub - scrub for a set timeCounted brush stroke method - do each scrub a number of times
What are the three requirements for scrubbing up?
Nail pickBrushAntiseptic agent
What are the four antiseptics used in scrubbing up?
ChlorhexidineIodine (Povidone-iodine)AlcoholSterillium (alcohol again)
What does chlorhexidine kill?
Broad spectrum of bacteriaVariable against virusesNo action against spores
How does chlorhexidine kill?
Precipitation of cellular contentsAlteration in cell permeability
What are the benefits for chlorhexidine?
Rapid initial killPersistent residual activityNot inactivated by organic materialNot generally toxic - only when direct contact
What does iodine kill?
BacteriaVirusesFungiNot spores
How does iodine kill?
IodinationInhibition of protein synthesis
What decreases the action of iodine?
Organic materialHard water
How long a contact time does iodine need to work?
2 minutes
Where should iodine be used?
Mucosal surfacesNear open wounds
What problems are associated with using iodine?
Corrodes instrumentsAcute contact dermatitisAllergic reaction in sensitive people
What does alcohol kill?
Broad spectrum of bacteria
How does alcohol kill bacteria?
Protein denaturationInhibition of cell division
What does alcohol enhance the action of?
ChlorhexidineIodine
Where should alcohol be avoided using?
Near open wounds
What does sterillium kill?
BacteriaFungiVirusesTB
How does sterillium improve skin health?
MoisturisingMaintains skin lipidsNo reported allergiesNo scrubbing
What must you not mix sterillium with?
Hand creams or disinfectants
Where should your gown be tied?
At the back wrapped around you
What are the two types of gloving?
ClosedOpen
What is closed gloving?
Most common for surgical proceduresRequires long-sleeved gownGloves must cover cuff of gown
What is open gloving?
Gloving for procedures that only require sterile hands
What are the two main methods of sterilising instruments?
PhysicalChemical
Where should clipping be carried out?
In the prep room
Describe clipping
Clip a wide area of the patientAllow for a change in planLengthen incisionAllow for drain placement
Describe aseptic skin preparation on the patient
Antiseptics used of all the clipped areaScrub inside to outScrub until no further organic debrisNo less than five minutes contact time
What should be carried out on the patient in the theatre for aseptic preparation?
Repeat prep room preparationWipe off excess scrub with alcoholApply final solution
What does draping reduce the risk of?
Contamination by surrounding hair or skin
What are the two types of drapes?
DisposableReusable
What are the three uses for surgical drapes?
Cover whole patientCover whole tableCover instrument trolley
What is primary draping?
Single fenestrated drape4 field drapes
What is secondary draping?
Skin towelsAdhesive drapes
What are the four areas in the surgical field?
Incision siteSterile drapes on the patientInstrument trolleySurgical team
What parts of the surgical team are counted as the surgical field?
Front of the bodyBelow the neck and above the waistArms and hands
Describe an operating theatre design
End room with a single doorSeparate patient preparation areaSeparate scrubbing areaOnly necessary correctly attired personnel
Describe how the operating theatre should be used
Clean operations firstContaminated operations lastDisinfect table between patientsDirty operations in a separate room
What are the five results of inappropriate antimicrobial use?
Increased costIdiosyncratic drug reactionsSuppression of normal bacterial floraDevelopment of bacterial drug resistanceIncreased risk of hospital acquired infection
Of the four categories of wound classifications which are antibiotics indicated for?
Clean-contaminated - controversially indicatedContaminatedDirty - therapeutic use
When are antimicrobials indicated in clean surgery?
Longer surgery (>90 minutes)Implant placedIf infection would be catastrophic to the outcomeImmuno-compromised patients
What are the seven basic principles of surgery?
Surgical asepsisGentle tissue handlingAccurate haemostasisPreservation of vascularityCareful approximation of tissuesObliteration of dead spaceNo tension on tissues
What are the four basic steps in surgery?
Incision and excision of tissueHaemostaissHandling and care of tissuesClosing with sutures
What are four ways we can incise into tissues?
ScissorsScalpelElectrosurgeryLaser
What is usually used to incise through skin?
Scalpels
Which scalpel blade is used for most small animal surgery?
10 scalpel blade
What is a #11 scalpel blade used for?
Stab incisions and opening up organs
What tissues is a scalpel used for?
Tough tissueFor tissues held under tension
Describe the action of using a scalpel
Single, bold incisionCorrect length and depth
How should a scalpel be held normally?
Pencil grip
What can scissors be used for?
IncisionsCutting of tissue
What are the three most common types of scissors used?
Suture removal scissorsMayo scissorsMetzenbaum scissors
What are mayo scissors used for?
Bigger tissues
What are metzenbaum tissues used for?
Smaller tissues that require a gentler handling
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using scissors?
Advantages: controlled cutting and good for flaccid tissuesDisadvantages: shearing tissue trauma
What are the three things scissors can be used for?
Cutting tissue below the skinBlunt dissectionUndermining tissue
How should scissors be held?
Thumb and ring-finger grip
What are the advantages of using other cutting instruments (laser etc.)
Improved haemostasisDecreased need for ligaturesReduced operating timeImproved accessNo-touch technique
What are the disadvantages to using other cutting instruments e.g. laser?
Tissue trauma causedExpensiveRisk of burns and fires
Why is haemostasis important?
Severe blood loss results in hypovolaemiaObscures the surgical fieldStains tissues redBlood irritates tissuesIncreases wound infectionAvoids surgical panic
What four ways can we use preventive haemostasis?
Plan the approachIdentify blood vessels in surgical fieldLigate vessels before transectionGentle dissection
What 9 things can be used as haemostasis?
PressurePackingWound closureHaemostatic forcepsDiathermyLigaturesTopical agentsTourniquetVascular clips and staples
What is the maximum time a tourniquet should be left on for?
Twenty minutes
What five things determine the choice of haemostasis used?
Least traumaticLeast foreign materialLeast necrotic tissueQuickestDepends on tissue a vessel
What are the two actions of haemostats?
PressureCrushing
How are haemostats used on small superficial vessels?
Use tip of the forcepsApply tip down
How are haemostats used for large tissue pedicles?
Use the jawPerpendicular to blood vessel
What is the most secure method of haemostasis?
Ligatures
What is the main disadvantage of ligatures?
Leave foreign material in the wound
WHere should a ligature be placed in relation to your clamps?
1.5 to 2 cm below them (in opposite direction to blood flow)
What are the three basic grips for scalpels?
Pencil gripFingertip gripPalm grip
What are the three types of surgical haemorrhage?
Primary - immediate bleedingDelayed intermediate - bleeding within 24 hoursDelayed secondary - bleeding more than 24 hours later
Describe the correct use of swabs
Use woven cotton swabsUse swabs with a radio-opaque markerUse singlyOpen swab out if performing delicate manoeuvresUse large laparotomy swabs in body cavitiesBlot tissue - don’t wipe
What are the four main types of haemostatic forceps?
HalstedKellyCarmaltKocher
What are the five knots that surgeons should be aware of?
Simple knot: 1 single throwSquare knot: 1 single throw then another in the opposite directionSurgeon’s knot: 1 double throw then a single throw in the opposite directionHalf-hitch: 1 single throw, then another but tightened by slidingGranny knot: 1 single knot, followed by another in the same orientation
What are the six ligature methods?
Simple encirclingDouble ligationHalsted’s transfixing ligatureModified transfixing ligatureTissue ligatureStick ties
What do stick ties incorporate?
Organ vessels are attached to
What are the four ligatures for vascular pedicles?
Triple clamp techniqueModified Miller’s knotTransfixing ligatureDivision of pedicle
Describe a triple clamp technique
Three clamps put into place and ligature tied into crushed area left by proximal clamp
What are the two types of diathermy?
Monopolar and bipolar