Surgery Flashcards
How might peritonitis present?
Abdominal pain - widespread at start, may be localised depending on cause
vomiting and nausea
infection symptoms
guarding, rebound tenderness, rigid abdomen, mass
How might you investigate suspected peritonitis?
- urine - Urinalysis and microscopy if indicated, pregnancy test
- blood - FBC, U&E and creatinine, amylase, glucose, sickle cell status if indicated. Arterial blood gas, LFT. Bone profile (Ca and PO 4 )
- CXR - pneumoperitoneum
- AXR - dilated bowel
- USS - (Pyloric stenosis, intussusception, ovarian pathology)
How might peritonitis be treated?
- abx - cephalosporin
- surgical washout
What is the pathophysiology of appendicitis?
inflammationof theappendix which is a small, thin tube sprouting from thecaecum which becomes inflamed due to infection trapped in the appendix by obstruction - usually by a faecolith or lymphoid hyperplasia
What features in the history may suggest appendicitis?
central abdominal pain which later radiates to the right iliac fossa
low-grade pyrexia
minimal vomiting
anorexia
What examination findings would you expect in acute appendicitis?
- tenderness in Mcburney’s point which is a localised area 1/3 distance from ASIS to umbilicus
- Rovsing’s sign
- rebound tenderness and percussion tenderness which suggest rupturing of appendix
What are some complications in appendicitis?
- inflammation -> gangrene -> rupture -> peritonitis
- appendicular mass
- surgical complications
What differentials must you keep in mind when considering appendicitis?
- ectopic pregnancy
- ovarian cysts
- Meckel’s diverticulum
- mesenteric adenitis
What investigations would you carry out in suspected appendicitis?
- clinical presentation usually
- CRP raised
- CT scan
- USS to exclude ovarian and gynaecological pathology
- if investigations negative diagnostic laparoscopy
How would you manage appendicitis?
laparoscopic appendicectomy with prophylactic abx
- abdominal lavage if perforated
- if abscess suspected IV abx first then surgery 4-6w later
What is biliary atresia?
congenital condition where section of bile duct is narrowed or absent resulting in cholestasis where bile cannot be transported from liver to the bowel
What is the classical history of biliary atresia?
*presents shortly after birth with significant jaundice, persistent jaundice (>2w)
- white to light yellow stool
- dark urine
- growth and appetite disturbances
*may be healthy babies with pale stool and dark urine
What are some examination findings in biliary atresia?
- jaundice
- hepatosplenomegaly
abnormal growth
cardiac murmurs - if associated syndromes
What are some associated complications with biliary atresia?
- Unsuccessful anastomosis formation
- Progressive liver disease
- Cirrhosis with eventual hepatocellular carcinoma
How is biliary atresia investigated?
- levels of conjugated > unconjugated bilirubin
- serum alpha-1-antitrypsin
- USS biliary tree and GB
- percutaneous liver biopsy
- LFT
What procedure if carried out to treat biliary atresia?
Kasai portoenterostomy - EARLY
*attaching section of small intestine to opening of liver, where bile duct normally attaches
done early as over 100 days may cause permanent liver damage - transplant before 12m may be needed
What is the pathophysiology of Hirschsprung’s disease?
congenital condition where nerve cells of myenteric plexus are absent in distal bowel and rectum - absence of parasympathetic ganglion cells hence doesn’t relax hence with lack of this stimulation bowel looses motility and cannot pass food along its length
What does the pathophysiology of Hirschsprung’s mean for the neonate?
tonic state of bowel means bowel obstruction
which may lead to enterocolitis, perforation, sepsis and even death
How does hirschsprung’s present?
*within 2 days
failure to pass meconium, abdominal distension, bilious vomiting
How would you examine a patient with suspected hirschsprung’s?
Abdominal examination: grossly distended abdomen, faecal mass in the left lower quadrant, tympanic percussion note
Digital rectal examination: increased anal sphincter tone, empty rectal vault, withdrawal of the examining finger leads to a gush of liquid stool and flatus known as the “blast sign” due to dramatic rectal decompression
What is a complications of Hirschsprung’s?
Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis
- inflammation and obstruction of intestine caused by overgrowth of c.diff, s.aureus
- 3D Dysmotility, Dysbiosis of the gut microbiome, Defective intestinal barrier function and mucosal immune response
How does Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis present?
fever, abdominal distention, foul smelling diarrhoea often with blood, sepsis
*life-threatening as toxic megacolon and perforation risk
How might you investigate Hirschsprung’s?
rectal biopsy with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) staining - Absence of colonic ganglion cells
OR suction rectal biopsy
abdominal XR - intestinal obstruction and demonstrating HAEC
FBC, sepsis screen, electrolytes, TFT, ABG
How is hirschsprung’s managed?
intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics (e.g. metronidazole), fluid resuscitation, routine colonic irrigation, nasogastric/orogastric bowel decompression and making the patient nil-by-mouth for complete bowel rest
What is the definitive management for Hirschsprung’s?
surgical removal of the aganglionic segment, followed by a pull-through of the proximal healthy bowel down to the anal canal with preservation of sphincter function
+ washout to prevent HAEC
What are some pads causes of intestinal obstruction?
meconium ileus
hirschsprung’s
oesophageal atresia
duodenal atresia
intussusception
imperforate anus
malrotation
strangulated hernia
How might intestinal obstruction present?
- persistent vomiting - maybe bilious bright green bile (distal to the ampulla of Vater)
- abdominal pain with distension
- failure to pass stools or wind
What are the common principles of managing intestinal obstructions?
- referral to paediatric surgical unit
- NBM and insertion of NGT to help drain stomach and stop vomiting
- IV fluids to correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalances to keep them hydrated while waiting for definitive management
What is intussusception?
- telescoping or invagination of one part of the bowel into another bowel, ie bowel folds inwards
- this thickens size of bowel and narrows the lumen at folded area leading to palpable mass in the abdomen and obstruction to faecal passage