Surgery Flashcards
Sx of anal fissures?
Bright red, painful rectal bleeding.
Typically seen in the posterior midline. Associated with constipation
Mx of anal fissures?
If <1 week soften stool, give topical analgesics and lubricate before defecation
If chronic use topical GTN 1st line. If ineffective after 8 weeks consider sphincterotomy surgery
What should you always test for first in a woman of child-bearing age with an acute abdomen?
Pregnancy test!
Even if they deny sexual activity
How can you differentiate between hypertrophic and keloid scars?
Hypertrophic = confined to the boundaries of the original wound
Keyloid = extend beyond the boundaries of the original wound
How do we manage oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer?
Tamoxifen if pre- or peri-menopausal
Aromatase inhibitors e.g. anastrozole if post-menopausal
How do we manage HER-2 positive breast cancer?
Herceptin
Which chemo is indicated in node positive and node negative breast cancer?
Node positive = FEC-D
Node negative = FEC
What are the 3 causes of a snow storm sign?
On USS of the axillary lymph nodes = breast implant rupture
On USS of the uterus = hydatiform mole
On CXR = thyroid metastases to the lungs
What is the most common type of breast cancer?
Invasive ductal carcinoma, no special type
Sx and Mx of a psoas abscess
Lower back pain, tender groin mass, fever and pain exacerbated on hip extension
Mx = percutaneous drainage or surgery
Where do you find a direct inguinal hernia? Who are they commonly seen in? What is the strangulation risk?
Superior and medial to the pubic tubercle and Medial to the inferior epigastric artery
Seen in adult males
Low risk of strangulation
Where do you find an indirect inguinal hernia? Who are they commonly seen in? What is the strangulation risk?
Superior and medial to the pubic tubercle and Lateral to the inferior epigastric artery
Seen in adult and infant males
Low risk of strangulation
Where do you find a femoral hernia? Who are they commonly seen in? What is the strangulation risk?
Below the inguinal ligament and lateral to the pubic tubercle.
Seen in adult females
High risk of strangulation
Which drugs can be given to reduce the formation of calcium renal stones?
Thiazide like diuretics
Which drugs can be given to reduce the formation of urate renal stones?
Bicarbonate or allopurinol
Which drugs can be given to reduce the formation of oxalate renal stones?
cholestyramine or pyridoxine
Mx of SAH?
Supportive measures, nimodipine to prevent vasospasm and intracranial coiling if there is an aneurysm
What are the symptoms of hypocalcaemia?
Tetany (muscle twitching, cramps and spasms), perioral paraesthesia and QT interval prolongation
Trousseau’s sign = carpopedal spasm of BP cuff inflation
Chvostek’s sign = twitching of the facial muscle when you tap on the parotid gland
What is Boerhaave’s syndrome? How do we investigate and treat?
Oesophageal rupture secondary to vomiting.
Tearing chest pain and s/c emphysema
Ix = CT contrast swallow
Mx = Thoracotomy and lavage
How can we differentiate clinically between Boerhaave’s syndrome and a Mallory-Weiss tear?
Boerhaave’s presents with s/c emphysema and non-bloody vomit
Mallory-Weiss will have bloody vomit
How do we calculate the fluid requirements in 24hrs in burns patients?
4ml x (total burn area (%) x BW (kg))
Give 50% over the first 8 hours and then the other 50% over the next 16.
Fluid choice = Haartmans
Which side do varicoceles occur most commonly on?
Left
Sx and Mx of acute mesenteric iscahemia?
Sudden onset severe abdo pain which is out of proportion with the clinical findings on BG of AF or increased clot risk
Mx = immediate laparotomy
Sx of ischaemic colitis?
Sudden onset abdo pain (less severe than acute mesenteric ischaemia), seen alongside bloody diarrhoea. Will often resolve spontaneously
Can you give sulfonylureas on the day of surgery?
No - omit
If AM surgery and patient has a BD dose can have the afternoon dose (so long as they are eating)
What is the difference between a fibroadenoma and fibroadenosis?
Fibroadenoma = non-tender mobile lump seen in those <30
Fibroadenosis = lumpy painful breasts seen in middle aged women. Pain is worse prior to menstruation
Sx of a thrombosed haemarrhoid?
Significantly pain and tender lump. Will be oedematous, purple and seen in the subcutaneous tissue
Mx of thrombosed haemorrhoid?
<72hrs = surgical excision
>72hrs = stool softeners, ice pack and analgesia
What is superficial thrombophlebitis? Mx?
Thrombosis of one of the superficial veins
Mx = PO NSAIDs or LMWH and compression stocking
What is Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans
The male version of lichen sclerosis. It can lead to phimosis and increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma
Describe how the LFTs and inflammatory markers will appear in biliary colic?
Normal!
Describe how the LFTs and inflammatory markers will appear in cholecystitis?
LFTs are normal but CRP is raised
Which is the investigation and which is the management out of ERCP and MRCP?
MRCP = Ix
ERCP = Mx
Broadly, how do we distinguish between biliary colic, acute cholecystitis and ascending cholangitis?
Biliary colic = pain
Acute chole = pain and fever
Ascending cholangitis = pain, fever and jaundice
When should you surgically excise a breast fibroadenoma?
If it is >3cm
Which is the best anaesthetic drug to use in trauma?
Ketamine as it does not drop the BP
Which is the best anaesthetic drug to use in those at high risk of post-op vomiting?
Propofol as it has anti-emetic effects
What are the 2 most common causes of acute pancreatitis?
Gall stones and alcohol abuse
Sx and Mx of acute pancreatitis?
Sx = epigastric pain which radiates to the back +/- shock
Mx = aggressive fluid resuscitation, analgesia and do not routinely make NBM
When do pigmented gallstones occur?
Due to XS haemolysis secondary to haemolytic anaemia e.g. in sickle cell or liver cirrhosis
What do you do if CT head is normal but you suspect SAH?
If <6 hours post Sx onset = seek alternative diagnosis
If >6 hours post Sx onset = do LP after 12 hours (to look for xanthochromia)
Who should you not give nitrous oxide to in trauma?
Those with suspected pneumothorax - it can lead to tension pneumothorax
What is the safest Mx option in those with UC who have developed a megacolon?
Subtotal colectomy
What is Paget’s disease of breast?
Intraductal carcinoma associated with reddening and thickening of the areola/nipple - can look like eczema
When is Etomidate a good anaesthetic to use? What side effect can it cause?
In those with cardiac pathology as it causes less hypotension
Can lead to adrenal suppression
What is malignant hypertension?
A genetic reaction to -flurane anaesthetics
Causes increased end-tidal CO2, increased body temperature, diaphoresis and muscle contraction
What is post-operative ileus?
A common complication of bowel surgery
Sx = abdo pain, bloating, vomiting and not passing stools
What is mammary duct ectasia?
Tender breast lump around the areola with green nipple discharge seen in peri-menopausal/menopausal women
Which clotting factors reverse warfarin and are found in prothrombin complex?
II, VII, IX and X
Describe hiatus hernias?
95% are sliding
Sx = heart burn, dysphagia, regurgitation and chest pain
Ix = barium swallow
Mx = PPIs