Small Bowel Flashcards
What are the normal diameters of small bowel, large bowel and the caecum?
Small bowel < 3cm
Large bowel < 6cm
Caecum < 9cm
Rule of 3s
How is small bowel identifiable on a plain abdominal radiograph?
Central
Full thickness Plica circularis
How does large bowel appear on a plain abdominal radiograph?
More peripheral
Partial thickness haustra
How do patients with small bowel obstruction present?
Nausea + vomitting
Abdominal pain (acute abdomen)
Abdominal distension
Constipation + NOT PASSING FLATULUS
What is typically found on examination when assessing for obstruction?
Abdominal pain
Tenderness
Distension
Hernial orifices (may have obstructed hernia)
Bowel sounds (may be tinkling)
What are the 4 most common causes of small bowel obstruction?
Adhesions
Hernias
Malignancy
Intussusception
What investigations would you do for a patient when suspecting bowel obstruction?
FBC (infection? Bleeding?)
U+Es
CRP
G+S
Clotting
VBG
What imaging is done for a patient with a ? Bowel obstruction?
CT abdominal-pelvis IV contrast
Can also give gastrograffin since its a useful contrast and helps resolve bowel obstruction
Can do a abdominal x-ray to easily identify small bowel obstruction
What is the management for a small bowel obstruction?
IV fluids (DRIP AND SUCK)
NG tube
Urinary catheter (Fluid balance)
Analgesia
Anti-emetics
Gastrograffin
NBM
Surgical management if obstruction not relieved
What are the 3 most common causes of large bowel obstruction?
Malignancy
Volvulus
Diverticular disease
What are the possible complications of the formation of an ileostomy?
Anastomotic leak
Parastomal hernia
High output stoma
Bowel obstruction at exit
What is the difference between an ileostomy and colostomy?
Ileostomy:
-RIF
-spouted (contents are alkaline so irritant to skin)
Colostomy:
-LIF
-flush to skin
What are some differentials for a patient with a groin lump?
Inguinal hernia
Femoral hernia
Lymphadenopathy
Lipoma
Groin abcess
Psoas abcess
Saphena varix
Pseudoaneurysm
What are some questions you should be asking a patient with a groin lump?
Bigger when cough
Can it be reduced
Vomitting
Abdo pain
Opening bowels
Flatulus
What should you be looking for on examination of a groin lump?
Abdomen
External hernial orifices
Location of lump
Cough impulse
Reducible (if so how)
What are the risk factors for developing a hernia?
Male
Old
High BMI
Raised intraabdominal pressure:
-weight lifting
-chronic cough
-chronic constipation