Surgery Flashcards
Describe the pathophysiology of appendicitis.
It is typically caused by direct luminal obstruction, usually secondary to a faecolith or lymphoid hyperplasia, impacted stool or, rarely, an appendiceal or caecal tumour.
Describe how a child with appendicitis would present.
It is typically caused by direct luminal obstruction, usually secondary to a faecolith (Fig. 1) or lymphoid hyperplasia, impacted stool or, rarely, an appendiceal or caecal tumour.
What is Roving’s sign?
RIF fossa pain on palpation of the LIF
What is Psoas sign?
RIF pain with extension of the right hip
Specifically suggests an inflamed appendix abutting psoas major muscle in a retrocaecal position
What is the gold standard, creative treatment for appendicitis?
Laparoscopic appendicectomy
Name some complications associated with appendicitis.
- Perforations
- Surgical site
- Appendix mass
- Pelvic abscess
Describe the pathophysiology of pyloric stenosis.
Pyloric stenosis is characterised by progressive hypertrophy of the pyloric muscle, causing gastric outlet obstruction
Name 2 risk factors of pyloric stenosis.
- Male
- FH
Describe how a child with pyloric stenosis would present.
Pyloric stenosis presents at around 4-6 weeks of age with non-bilious vomiting after every feed. Vomiting is very forceful, and is typically described as projectile. Despite this, babies will continue to feed hungrily. Haematemesis has also been reported. Weight loss and dehydration are very common at presentation, ranging from mild dehydration to hypovolaemic shock.
On examination, there may be visible peristalsis and a palpable olive-sized pyloric mass, best felt during a feed
What will the blood gas of a child with pyloric stenosis show?
Blood gases will typically show a hypokalaemia, hypochloraemic metabolic alkalosis
What investigation should be preformed in suspected pyloric stenosis?
A test feed should be performed with a NG tube in situ and the stomach aspirated. Whilst the child is feeding, the examiner should palpate for a pyloric mass and observe for visible peristalsis.
What is the imaging modality of choice for a child with suspected pyloric stenosis?
Ultrasound is the imaging modality of choice. An ultrasound of the abdomen will demonstrate hypertrophy of the pyloric muscle, with wall thickness >3mm, length >15mm and diameter >11mm
What is the surgical management of pyloric stenosis?
Ramstedt’s pyloromyotomy
If billous vomiting is present, what is an important differential to consider?
Malrotation
In pyloric stenosis, ow many hours after surgery can the baby resume feeding?
6 hr
What is Hirschsprung’s disease?
It is a congenital aganglionic megacolon disease, is a congenital disease in which ganglionic cells fail to develop in the large intestine. This commonly presents as delayed or failed passage of meconium around birth.
Describe how a child with Hirschsprung disease would present.
The most common clinical feature at presentation is abdominal distension and bilious vomiting with failure to pass meconium
Name the 3 sub-types of Hirschsprung disease.
short-segment, long-segment, and total colonic aganglionosis disease.
Describe the pathophysiology of Hirschsprung disease.
Hischsprung’s disease is where ganglionic cells of the myenteric and submucosal plexuses in the bowel aren’t present proximally from the anus to a variable length along the large intestine.
The aganglionic segment remains in a tonic state leading to failure in peristalsis and bowel movements.
Name 3 risk factors of Hirschsprung disease.
- Male
- Chromosomal abnormalities i.e. Down syndrome
- FH
What is the gold standard for diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease?
Rectal suction biopsy
What are the rectal suctions biopsy guidelines?
Delayed passage of meconium (more than 48 hours after birth in term babies)
Constipation since first few weeks of life
Chronic abdominal distension plus vomiting
Family history of Hirschsprung’s disease
Faltering growth in addition to any of the previous features.
Describe the initial management of Hirschsprung disease.
Initial management would involve IV antibiotics, nasogastric tube insertion and bowel decompression.
Name some complications of hirschprung disease.
- Hirschsprung associated enterocolitis (HAEC)
- Enterocolitis
- Constipation
- Parianal abscess
- Faecal soiling
- Adhesions
What is Hirschsprung associated enterocolitis (HAEC)?
It is the main cause of mortality of patients with Hirschsprung’s disease. Stasis of faeces leads to bacterial overgrowth, particularly of Clostridium difficile, Staphylococcus aureus, and anaerobes, within the colon. This often presents as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal tenderness, and eventually sepsis if not recognized early enough. The emergency treatment for suspected enterocolitis is with fluid resuscitation, bowel decompression and broad-spectrum IV antibiotics
What is Intussusception?
The movement or ‘telescoping’ of one part of the bowel into another. The proximal bowel segment is referred to as the intussuceptum whilst the distal segment as intussucipiens.
What is the peak incidence of Intussusception?
5-7 months
What is the most common type of intussusception?
oleo-colic type
Name some risk factors of developing intussusception.
Meckel diverticulum (most common) Polyps Henoch-Schönlein purpura Lymphoma and other tumors Post-operative
Describe how a child with intussusception would present.
The parent will report their child as having a sudden onset of inconsolable crying episodes. Pallor can be observed and in an attempt to alleviate pain the child may draw up their knees to their chest.
In-between episodes the parents will normally report the child returns to their normal self. With a delayed presentation the child can appear lethargic and anorexic.
In the later stages passed stools can appear to have a characteristic red-current consistency due to the presence of blood and mucus.
Describe the findings you would expect on an examination of a child with intussusception.
Distention
A palpable ‘sausage-shaped’ abdominal mass which can be found in the right upper quadrant (ileo-ceceal type)
Signs of peritonism
Presence of bowel sounds
What is the preferred method of diagnosis in intussusception?
Abdo USS
Name 2 methods of managing intussusception.
- Nonoperative reduction
2. Surgical reduction
Name some complications of intussusception.
- Obstruction
- Perforation
- Dehydration/ shock
What sign is seen on abdominal ultrasound in intussusception?
Target sign
What is cryptorchidism?
failure of testicular descent into the scrotum