Surgery Flashcards
What is the reason for neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer?
To try to downsize the tumour before surgery and allow breast conserving surgery rather than mastectomy
Name the drug used to prevent vasospasm in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhages
Nimodipine
Women receives wide-local excision for breast cancer. What is the next course of action?
Whole breast radiotherapy is recommended after a woman has had a wide-local excision as this may reduce the risk of recurrence by around two-thirds
What is the breast cancer screening programme in the UK?
Mammogram every 3 years for all women aged 50-70
Name the drug used in post-surgical management of ER +ve women who are pre- or perimenopausal
Tamoxifen
Name the drug used in post-surgical management of ER +ve women who are post-menopausal
Aromatase inhibitors e.g. anastrozole, letrozole
Site of cancer: caecal, ascending or proximal transverse colon
What type of resection and what anastomosis?
Right hemicolectomy, ileo-colic anastomosis
Site of cancer: distal transverse, descending colon
What type of resection and what anastomosis?
Left hemicolectomy, colo-colon anastomosis
Site of cancer: sigmoid colon
What type of resection and what anastomosis?
High anterior resection, colo-rectal anastomosis
Site of cancer: sigmoid colon, associated with perforation
What type of resection?
Sigmoid colectomy with formation of an end stoma
Risk of anastomosis is much greater in cases of perforation - Hartmann’s is safer and can be reversed later
Patient presenting with meningism, CT scan more than 6 hours after headache onset is normal. Next steps?
Lumbar puncture should be done at 12 hours post-onset to check for xanthochromia (SAH)
Wmen with breast cancer and no palpable lymphadenopathy, pre-operative axillary ultrasound is negative.
Next step in management?
Sentinel node biopsy
A 56-year-old man is admitted with acute retention of urine. He has had a recent urinary tract infection. An USS shows bilateral hydronephrosis. What is the best course of action?
Urethral catheter
Renal stone management: < 5mm and asymptomatic
Watchful waiting
Renal stone management: 5-10mm
Shockwave lithotripsy
Renal stone management: 10-20mm
Shockwave lithotripsy OR ureteroscopy
Renal stone management: > 20 mm
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy
Uteric stone management: > 10 mm
Shockwave lithotripsy +/- alpha blockers
Uteric stones: 10-20 mm
Ureteroscopy
Renal stone management: large staghorn calculus
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy
Uterine stone management: signs of uteric obstruction
Urgent decompression: nephrostomy tube placement, insertion of ureteric catheters or ureteric stent placement
A patient is started on finasteride for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. How long should the patient be told that treatment may take to be effective?
Up to 6 months
List the medical benefits of circumcision
- Reduces the risk of penile cancer
- Reduces the risk of UTI
- Reduces the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections including HIV
How can you prevent transient increase in symptoms of prostatic cancer due to goserelin treatment?
Pretreatment/co-prescription with synthetic antiandrogens e.g. flutamide, cyproterone acetate
Management of renal cell carcinoma stage T1?
Partial nephrectomy
Name two drugs which can be helpful in the prevention of calcium renal stones
Thiazide diuretics
Potassium citrate
A 22-year-old man is involved in a road traffic accident. He is found to have a pelvic fracture. While on the ward the nursing staff report that he is complaining of lower abdominal pain. On examination you find a distended tender bladder. What is the best management?
Suprapubic catheter
This patient has possible urethral injury based on the history. Urethral catheterisation is contraindicated in this situation
An 28-year-old man presents with pain in the testis and scrotum. It began 10 hours previously and has worsened during that time. On examination he is pyrexial, the testis is swollen and tender and there is an associated hydrocele.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Acute infective epididymo-orchitis
A 15-year-old boy develops sudden onset of pain in the left hemiscrotum. He has no other urinary symptoms. On examination the superior pole of the testis is tender and the cremasteric reflex is particularly marked.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Torsion of testicular appendage
Which form of testicular cancer has the best prognosis?
Seminomas
Name two drugs which are helpful in the prevention of uric acid stones
Allopurinol
Oral bicarbonate (urinary alkalinization)
Name two drugs which are helpful in the prevention os oxalate renal stones
Cholestyramine
Pyridoxine
What are the complications of radiotherapy for prostate cancer?
- Increased risk of bladder, colon, and rectal cancer
- Proctitis
Young patient who has always had difficulty achieving an erection. Management?
Urology referral
What ethnic group has the highest incidence of prostate cancer?
Afro-Caribbean
Management of mild varcicoeles
Reassure and observe
What advice should be given to patients regarding vasectomy and contraception?
Vasectomy isn’t an immediate form of contraception; semen analysis must be performed and azoospermia confirmed before used as contraception
A 73-year-old lady is undergoing chemotherapy for treatment of acute leukaemia. She develops symptoms of renal colic. Her urine tests positive for blood. A KUB x-ray shows no evidence of stones.
What is the most likely stone type?
Uric acid
A 16-year-old boy presents with renal colic. His parents both have a similar history of the condition. His urine tests positive for blood. A KUB style x-ray shows a relatively radiodense stone in the region of the mid ureter.
What is the most likely stone type?
Cystine
Cystine stones are associated with an inherited metabolic disorder
A 43-year-old lady with episodes of recurrent urinary tract sepsis presents with a staghorn calculus of the left kidney. Her urinary pH is 7.3. A KUB x-ray shows a faint outline of the calculus.
What is the most likely stone type?
Chronic infection with urease producing enzymes can produce an alkaline urine with formation of struvite stone
A 22-year-old man attends an appointment with his general practitioner. He has noticed a non-tender lump in his scrotum. He is concerned that he is developing bilateral breast enlargement.
Given the likely diagnosis, what is the most appropriate first-line investigation?
Testicular ultrasound
Gynaecomastia in testicular cancer occurs due to an increased oestrogen:androgen ratio
A 32-year-old male presents to the GP with a painless lump in his testicle. On examination, it is possible to get above the lump, the testicle does not transilluminate and is found on the posterior side of the testicle and is separate from the body of the testicle.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Epididymal cyst
An epididymal cyst is a cause of scrotal swelling which can be palpated as separate from the body of the testicle
A 40-year-old male presents to the GP complaining of a painless lump in his groin. On examination, the lump is medial and superior to the pubic tubercle. The size of the lump is approximately 3cm and it is smooth and mobile. There is no cough impulse.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Lipoma
A CT scan shows a lesion affecting the upper pole of the right kidney, it has a small cystic centre. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Renal adenocarcinoma
A 20-year-old complains of severe pain and swelling of the scrotum after a cystoscopy. He had mumps as a child. The testis is tender. The urine dipstick is positive for leucocytes.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Epididymo-orchitis
What is the acceptable upper limit of residual urine in patients < 65 years old?
<50 ml
What is the most appropriate treatment for prostatitis?
Quinolone for 14 days
Which type of renal stone appears semi-opaque on x-ray?
Cystine stones
Which types of renal stone appear radiolucent on x-ray?
Urate + xanthine stones
What is the most appropriate management for intermittent testicular torsion?
Bilateral orchiopexy
A 52-year-old man falls off his bike. He is found to have a pelvic fracture. On examination he is found to have perineal oedema and on PR the prostate is not palpable. A urine dipstick shows blood.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Membranous urethral rupture
Describe the clinical presentation of bladder carcinoma
Most patients (85%) will present with painless, macroscopic haematuria
What is the investigation of choice for bladder carcinoma?
Flexible cystoscopy
How long should you wait after prostatitis and UTI to measure PSA?
1 month
What is the management of acute upper urinary tract obstruction causing hydronephrosis?
Nephrostomy
What is the first-line investigation in suspected prostate cancer?
Multiparametric MRI
What tumour markers are associated with testicular seminomas?
- AFP usually normal
- hCG elevated in 10%
- LDH elevated in 10-20% (but also seen in many other conditions
What serum markers are raised in non-seminoma testicular cancer?
- AFP elevated in up to 70% of cases
- HCG elevated in up to 40% of cases
What is the most common histological type of malignant renal cancer?
Clear cell carcinoma
What is the best diagnostic investigation for hydronephrosis?
Ultrasound of the renal tract
How can a lower UTI precipitate acute urinary retention?
Urethritis, and subsequent urethral oedema
What percentage of varicoceles occur on the left side?
80%
Why are the majority of varicoceles located on the left side?
They are more common on the left side due to the angle at which the left testicular vein enters the left renal vein, creating a high-pressure system that favours varicocele formation
Name two drugs assocaited with erectile dysfunction
SSRIs and beta blockers
What is Stauffer syndrome?
A cholestatic picture (with elevated bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-GT) with concomitant hepatosplenomegaly is a paraneoplastic presentation of renal cell carcinoma known as Stauffer syndrome
What is the most significant risk factor for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder?
Smoking
What percentage of patients who undergo vasectomy experience chronic testicular pain?
5%
What is the preferred management option of renal stones in pregnant women?
Uteroscopy
Name one feature which would suggest an organic cause of erectile dysfunction
Normal libido
What malignancy are patients with a history of Schisotosoma haematobium infection at increased risk of?
Squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder
Epididymo-orchitis in individuals with a low STI risk (e.g. married male in 50s, wife only partner) is likely due to what type of organism?
Enteric organisms (e.g. E. coli)
Name one adverse effect of GnHR agonists when given for prostate cancer
GnRH agonists may cause ‘tumour flare’ when started, resulting in bone pain, bladder obstruction and other symptoms
Patients taking prednisolone should be given supplementation with what drug prior to surgery?
Hydrocortisone
Excessive administration of sodium chloride is a recognised cause of what metabolic disturbance?
Hypercholoraemic acidosis
By how much should once-daily insulin dose be reduced one the day before and day of surgery?
20%
A 20-year-old man has a protracted stay on ITU following a difficult appendicectomy for perforated appendicitis with pelvic and sub phrenic abscesses. He has now deteriorated further and developed deranged liver function tests.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Portal vein thrombosis
Such marked intra-abdominal sepsis may well produce coagulopathy and the risk of portal vein thrombosis
A 63-year-old man undergoes an Ivor - Lewis oesophagogastrectomy for carcinoma of the distal oesophagus. The following day a pale opalescent liquid is noted to be draining from the right chest drain.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Chyle leak
A 63-year-old man has been on the intensive care unit for a week with adult respiratory distress syndrome complicating acute pancreatitis. He has required ventilation and is still being mechanically ventilated.
What is the most appropriate method of airway access?
Tracheostomy
A 23-year-old man is undergoing an inguinal hernia repair as a daycase procedure and is being given sevoflurane.
What is the most appropriate method of airway access?
Laryngeal mask
A 48-year-old man is due to undergo a laparotomy for small bowel obstruction.
What is the most appropriate method of airway access?
Endotracheal intubation
What type of anaesthetic agents may cause malignant hyperthermia?
Volatile liquid anaesthetics
(isoflurane, desflurane, sevoflurane)
What guidance should be given to patients taking sulfonylureas on the day of surgery?
- Omit on the day of surgery
- Exception is morning surgery in patients who take BD - they can have the afternoon dose
A 56-year-old man has undergone a potentially curative oesophagectomy for carcinoma.
What is the most appropriate method of delivering nutrition?
Feeding jejunostomy
A 43-year-old man is recovering from a laparoscopic low anterior resection with loop ileostomy.
What is the most appropriate method of delivering nutrition?
Normal oral intake
What would be a contraindication for the use of a laryngeal mask?
Being non-fasted
Laryngeal mask airway provides poor control against reflux of gastric contents therefore is unsuitable in non fasted patients
How should TPN be administered?
Via a central vein e.g. subclavian as it is strongly phlebitic
A 45-year-old woman is admitted with acute pyelonephritis. She requires intravenous access for antibiotics and maintenance fluids as she is currently taking limited fluids due to vomiting. She is haemodynamically stable.
What is the most appropriate modality of intravenous access?
20 G peripheral cannula
A 73-year-old man with Dukes C colonic cancer requires a long course of chemotherapy. He has poor peripheral veins.
What is the most appropriate modality of intravenous access?
Hickman line
What is the immediate management of wound dehiscence?
Cover a large sterile swab soaked in 0.9% saline
Call for senior help urgently
Lack of end-tidal CO2 (on capnography) in surgery indicates?
Oesophageal intubation
What blood products should be ordered before a cystecomy?
Cross-match 4-6 units depending on local protocols
What blood products should be ordered before an appendicectomy?
Group and save
What blood products should be ordered before an elective AAA?
Cross-match 4-6 units depending on local protocols
Describe the presentation of a biliary leak following an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Right upper quadrant tenderness and bilious fluid in the intra-abdominal drain
A 48-year-old lady undergoes a redo thyroidectomy for a multinodular goitre. 24 hours post operatively she develops oculogyric crises and diffuse muscle spasm.
What is the most appropriate management?
IV calcium
How does poor post-operative pain management increase risk of pneumonia?
Insufficient analgesia e.g. to abdomen will restrict breathing
Lack of deep breathing is a risk factor for both atelectasis and respiratory tract infections
What is the reversal agent of midazolan?
Flumazenil
What anaesthetic agent agent is associated with hepatotoxicity?
Halothane
What anaesthetic agent has anti emetic properties?
Propofol
Describe the presentation of an abdominal wound infection post-surgery
Post-op fevers after a few days and can be associated with systemic signs of infection
What does bowel prep for colonoscopy involve?
Fasted for 24 hours before the examination
Laxatives required the day before the examination
How many hours before surgery should patients be fasted from non-clear liquids/food?
6
BMI > 40. What is the ASA classification?
III
What guidance should be given to a patient on metformin undergoing surgery?
- OD or BD: take as normal
- TDS: miss lunchtime dose
- Assumes only one meal will be missed during surgery, eGFR > 60 and no contrast during procedure
Patient requires jaw thrust. What type of airway can you use?
Oropharyngeal tube
What is the ASA grade of a patient with stable, well managed asthma?
II
What investigation is required on a daily basis for patients with post-op ileus?
Electrolyte panel
Patients can drink clear fluids for up to how long before operation?
2 hours
What is the management of local anaesthetic toxicity?
IV 20% lipid emulsion
What type anaesthetic agent is contraindicated in burn/trauma patients?
Depolarising neuromuscular blockers (e.g. suxamethonium) increase the risk of hyperkalaemia in burns/trauma patients and therefore are contraindicated
Are CXRs routinely recommended before surgery?
No
What is the ‘time out’ stage of the WHO Checklist?
The period before the first skin incision is made
What is the most appropriate substance to use to clean a post-op wound?
Sterile saline
A patient is administered local anaesthetic at the end of an operation. The surgeon infiltrates 20ml of 2% lidocaine.
How many mg of lidocaine does this amount to?
40mg
A 2% strength liquid medicine means that 2g of the drug are dissolved in 100ml
Isolated fever in well patient in first 24 hours following surgery. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Physiological reaction to operation
Describe the presentation of post-op ileus
Ileus occurs in the few days following surgery and can cause hypovolaemia and electrolyte disturbances BEFORE nausea and vomiting becomes apparent
What anaesthetic is particularly useful in haemodynamically unstable patients?
Ketamine
When should LMWH be initiated after THR?
6-12 hours after surgery