Surgery

Question 1

Causes of abdomen distension

Answer 1

Causes of abdomen distension  
Mnemonic: 6 Fʼs  
F 	Fat  
F  	Fetus  
F  	Flatus  
F  	Faeces  
F  	Fluid  
F  	Flipping great tumour

Question 2

General immediate post-op complications

Answer 2

General immediate post-op complications 
Mnemonic: PROBS  
P  	Primary haemorrhage/Pain  
R  	Reactive haemorrhage 
O 	Oliguria – acute urinary retention  
B   	Shock/Sepsis

Question 3

General early post-op complications

Answer 3

General early post-op complications
Mnemonic: ABCDE
A Analgesia- or Anaesthetic-related nausea + vomiting
B Breakdown of wound or anastomosis due to infection or haematoma – dehiscence / ↓BP – ↓fluid input → hypovolaemia →↓BP
C Confusion – acute
D DVT leading possibly to PE
E Elevated temperature – pyrexia

Question 4

General late post-op complications

Answer 4

General late post-op complications
Mnemonic: RIB  
R  	Recurrence of malignancy  
I  	Incisional hernia  
B  	Bowel obstruction

Question 5

causes of post-operative fever

Answer 5

Six W’s (causes of post-operative fever)

Wind: pulmonary system is primary source of fever first 48 hours, may have pneumonia
Wound: infection at surgical site
Water: check IV for phlebitis
Walk: deep venous thrombosis, due to pelvic pooling or restricted mobility related to pain and fatigue
Whiz: urinary tract infection if urinary catheterization
Wonder drugs: drug-induced fever