Surgery Flashcards
Ascending cholangitis cause?
Bacterial infection, typically E.coli, of the biliary tree
*a life-threatening infection of the biliary tree caused by bacterial invasion, usually secondary to obstruction. The obstruction allows bile to become stagnant, creating an environment for bacterial proliferation and infection.
Most common predisposing factor to ascending cholangitis?
Gallstones
Charcot’s triad for ascending cholangitis?
- Fever
- RUQ pain
- Jaundice
- (+ hypotension and confusion = Reynolds’ pentad)
Ascending cholangitis Ix?
US to look for bile duct dilatation and bile stones
Ascending cholangitis Rx?
- IV Abx
- ERCP after 24-48 hours to relieve any obstruction
Head injury, lucid interval?
Extradural (epidural) haematoma
Primary brain injury types?
- Focal = contusion/haematoma
- Diffuse = diffuse axonal injury
Contusion types?
Coup vs. contre-coup
Intracranial haematoma types?
- Extradural
- Subdural
- Intracerabral
Secondary brain injury?
When cerebral oedema, ischaemia, infection, tonsillar or tentorial herniation exacerbates the original injury. The normal cerebral auto regulatory processes are disrupted following trauma rendering the brain more susceptible to blood flow changes and hypoxia
Cushing’s reflex?
Hypertension and bradycardia in response to raised ICP, occurs late, usually a pre-terminal event
RFs for subdural haematoma?
- Age
- Alcoholism
- Anticoagulation
Head injury, fluctuating confusion?
Subdural haematoma
Medical benefits of circumcision?
- Reduces risk of penile cancer
- Reduces risk of UTI
- Reduces risk of STIs incl. HIV
Medical indications for circumcision?
- Phimosis
- Recurrent balanitis
- Balanitis xerotica obliterans
- Paraphimosis
First linke Ix for prostate cancer?
Multiparametric MRI
Complications of TRUS biopsy?
- Sepsis
- Pain
- Fever
- Haematuria and rectal bleeding
Multiparametric MRI for prostate cancer interpretation?
Reported using 5 point Likert scale
1. If >=3 then prostate biopsy is offered
2. If 1-2 then d/w pt pros and cons of having a biopsy
Most common malignancy in men 20-30 years?
Testicular cancer
95% of testicular cancers are?
Germ cell tumours
Germ cell types?
- Seminomas
- Non-seminomas
Non-seminoma types?
- Embryonal
- Yolk sack
- Teratoma
- Choriocarcinoma
Non-germ cell tumour types?
- Leydig cell tumours
- Sarcomas
Peak incidence of teratomas?
25 y/o
Peak incidence of seminomas?
35 y/o
RFs for testicular cancer?
- Infertility (x3)
- Cryptorchidism
- FHx
- Klinefelter’s
- Mumps orchitis
Testicular cancer features?
- Painless lump (most common)
- Pain (minority)
- Hydrocele
- Gynaecomastia (increased oestrogen:androgen ratio)
Seminoma marker?
hCG elevated in 20%
Non-seminoma marker?
AFP and/or beta-hCG elevated in 80-85%
Germ cell tumour marker?
LDH in 40%
Testicular cancer Dx?
US
Testicular cancer Rx?
- Depends whether seminoma or non-seminoma
- Orchidectomy
- Chemo and radio depending on staging and tumour type
Testicular cancer prognosis?
- 5 year survival for seminomas 95% and teratomas 85% if stage 1
Immediate CT Head indications?
- GCS <13 on initial assessment
- GCS <15 at 2 hours post-injury
- Suspected open or depressed skull fracture
- Any sign of basal skull fracture
- Post-traumatic seizure
- Focal neurological deficit
- More than 1 episode of vomiting
CT scan within 8 hours indications?
Have experienced some LOC or amnesia since injury:
1. >65 y/o
2. Anticoagulants or bleeding disorder
3. Dangerous MOI, >1m, <5 stairs
3. >30mins retrograde amnesia of events immediately before head injury
Anti-oestrogen drugs?
- Selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERM)
- Aromatase inhibitors
SERM example?
Tamoxifen
Tamoxifen use?
Oestrogen-receptor positive breast cancer
SERM side effects?
- Menstrual disturbance = vaginal bleeding, amenorhhoea
- Hot flushes
- VTE
- Endometrial Cancer
Aromatase inhibitor examples?
Anastrozole and letrozole, reduce peripheral oestrogen synthesis
When are aromatase inhibitors used?
Peripheral aromatisation accounts for the majority of oestrogen production in postmenopausal women and therefore anastrozole is used for ER +ve breast cancer in this group
Aromatase inhibitor s/e?
- Osteoporosis (Do DEXA before)
- Hot flushes
- Arthralgia, myalgia
- Insomnia
Breast screening mushkies?
- 50-70 y/o
- Mammogram every 3 years
- > 70 make own appointments
Only one relative with breast cancer referral criteria?
age of diagnosis < 40 years
bilateral breast cancer
male breast cancer
ovarian cancer
Jewish ancestry
sarcoma in a relative younger than age 45 years
glioma or childhood adrenal cortical carcinomas
complicated patterns of multiple cancers at a young age
paternal history of breast cancer (two or more relatives on the father’s side of the family)
Breast cancer risk factors?
- BRCA1/BRCA2 (40% lifetime risk of breast or ovarian cancer)
- 1st degree relative premenopausal relative with breast cancer
- Nulliparity, 1st pregnancy >30 y/o
- Early menarche, late menopause
- COCP, combined HRT
- Previous breast cancer
- Not breastfeeding
- Ionising radiation
- p53 gene mutations
- Obesity
- Previous surgery for benign disease
Haemorrhoid location?
3,7,11 o clock position
Haemorrhoid treatment?
Conservative, rubber band ligation, haemorrhoidectomy
Anal fissure mushkies?
- Typically presents with painful rectal bleeding
- Location = midline 6 (posterior midline 90%) and 12 o clock position, distal to dentate line
- Chronic fissure > 6/52: Ulcer, sentinel pile, enlarged anal papillae
Proctitis causes?
Crohn’s, UC, C.diff
Anal fistula mushkies?
- Usually due to previous ano-rectal abscess
- Goodsalls rule determines location
Most common anal cancer?
SCC
Most common rectal cancer?
Adenocarcinoma
Solitary rectal ulcer?
Associated with chronic straining and constipation. Histology shows mucosal thickening, lamina propria replaced with collagen and smooth muscle (fibromuscular obliteration)
Solitary rectal ulcer management?
Biopsy of lesion mandatory
Most common cause of breast abscess in lactational women?
S. aureus
Breast abscess management?
- Either I&D or needle aspiration under US
- Abx should also be given
Femoral hernia definition?
When part of abdominal viscera pass into femoral canal, via the femoral ring
Femoral hernia features?
Groin lump inferolateral to the pubic tubercle, typically non-reducible, cough impulse often absent
Femoral hernia epidemiology?
- Less common than inguinal
- 3F:1M (esp. in multiparous women)
Femoral hernia Dx?
Clinical, although US is an option
Femoral hernia complications?
- Incarceration (cannot be reduced)
- Strangulation (surgical emergency, more common in femoral)
- Bowel obstruction
- Bowel ischaemia and resection due to above
Femoral hernia management?
- Surgical repair necessary due to risk of strangulation
- Support belts/trusses should not be used
- Laparotomy may be needed in an emergency
Strangulated hernia?
Blood supply to the herniated tissue is compromised, leading to ischaemia or necrosis
Most common cause of scrotal swelling in primary care?
Epididymal cyst
Epididymal cyst features?
- Separate from body of the testicle
- Posterior to the testicle
Epididymal cyst associated conditions?
- PCKD
- CF
- vHL
Epididymal cyst Dx and Rx?
- Dx = US
- Rx = Usually supportive but surgical removal or sclerotherapy may be attempted for larger or symptomatic cysts
Hydrocele definition and classification?
- Accumulation of fluid within the tunica vaginalis
- Communicating and non-communicating
Communicating hydrocele?
Patency of the processus vaginalis allowing peritoneal fluid to drain down into the scrotum. Communicating hydroceles are common in newborn males (clinically apparent in 5-10%) and usually resolve within the first few months of life
Non-communicating hydrocoele?
Caused by excessive fluid production within the tunica vaginalis
Hydrocoele secondary causes?
- Epididymo-orchitis
- Testicular torsion
- Testicular tumours
Hydrocoele features?
- Soft, non-tender swelling of the hemiscrotum usually anterior to and below the testicle
- Confined to scrotum, can’t get above it
- Transilluminates with pen torch
Hydrocoele Dx?
May be clinical but US required if doubt od testis cant be palpated
Hydrocoele management?
- Infants = repaired if not resolving spontaneously by 1-2 years
- Adults = conservative, further investigation
Varicocoele mushkies?
- Abnormal enlargement of testicular veins
- Usually asymptomatic but may be important as they are associated with subfertility
- 80% left hand side
Varicocele Dx?
US with Doppler studies
Varicocele Rx?
- Usually conservative
- Occasionally surgery is required if pt troubled by pain
Anal fissure definition?
Anal fissures are longitudinal or elliptical tears of the squamous lining of the distal anal canal. If present for less than 6 weeks they are defined as acute, and chronic if present for more than 6 weeks.
Anal fissure RFs?
- Constipation
- IBD
- STI e.g. HIV, syphilis, herpes
Anal fissure features?
- Painful, bright red, rectal bleeding
- Around 90% anal fissures occur on the posterior midline, if found elsewhere then consider underlying cause e.g. Crohn’s
Acute anal fissure (<1 week) management?
- Soften stool (high fibre, high fluid, bluk forming laxatives 1st, lactulose 2nd)
- Lubricants e.g. petroleum jelly before defecation
- Topical anaesthetics
- Analgesia
Chronic anal fissure management?
- As per acute
- Topical GTN 1st line
- If not effective after 8 weeks then secondary care referral for sphincterotomy or botulinum toxin
Inguinal hernia location?
Superior and medial to pubic tubercle
Inguinal hernia mushkies?
- 75% of abdominal wall hernia
- 95% male
- Men have 25% lifetime risk of developing an inguinal hernia
Inguinal hernia features?
- Groin lump superomedial to pubic tubercle that disappears on pressure or when lying down
- Discomfort and ache often worse with activity
- Strangulation is rare
Direct hernia?
Through posterior wall of the inguinal canal
Indirect hernia?
Through the inguinal canal
Inguinal hernia management?
- Treat medically fit pts even if asymptomatic
- Truss if not fit for surgery
- Mesh repair is associated with lowest recurrence rate (unilateral usually done open, bilateral and recurrent usually laparoscopically)
Open inguinal hernia repair department for work and pensions advice?
Return to non-manual work after 2-3 weeks and following laparoscopic rpair after 1-2 weeks
Spouted stoma?
Small bowel stomas so irritant contents not in contact with skin
Flush with skin stoma?
Colonic stoma
Breast cancer management x5?
- Surgery
- Radiotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Biological therapy
- Chemotherapy
Breast cancer women without palpable axillary lymphadenopathy at presentation?
- Should have pre-op US before primary surgery
- if positive should have sentinel node biopsy to assess nodal burden
Breast cancer women with palpable axillary lymphadenopathy?
Axillary node clearance indicated at primary surgery, may lead to arm lymphoedema and functional arm impairment
Wide local excision indications?
- Solitary lesion
- Peripheral tumour
- Small tumour in large breast
- DCIS < 4cm
Mastectomy indications?
- Multifocal tumour
- Central tumour
- Large lesion in small breast
- DCIS > 4cm
Radiotherapy in breast cancer?
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. For women who’ve had a mastectomy radiotherapy is offered for T3-T4 tumours and for those with four or more positive axillary nodes
Hormonal therapy for breast cancer?
Adjuvant hormonal therapy is offered if tumours are positive for hormone receptors. For many years this was done using tamoxifen for 5 years after diagnosis. Tamoxifen is still used in pre- and peri-menopausal women. In post-menopausal women, aromatase inhibitors such as anastrozole are used for this purpose*. This is important as aromatisation accounts for the majority of oestrogen production in post-menopausal women and therefore anastrozole is used for ER +ve breast cancer in this group.
Biological therapy for breast cancer?
- Most commonly trastuzumab (Herceptin), only useful in 20-25% of tumours that are HER2 positive
- Herceptin cannot be used in pts with a history of heart disorders
Chemotherapy in breast cancer?
Cytotoxic therapy may be used either prior to surgery (‘neoadjuvanant’ chemotherapy) to downstage a primary lesion or after surgery depending on the stage of the tumour, for example, if there is axillary node disease - FEC-D is used in this situation
BPH RFs?
- Age = 50% of 50 year old men will have evidence of BPH and 30% will have symptoms, 80% of 80 year old men have evidence of BPH
- Ethnicity = Black > White > Asian
LUTS?
- Voiding symptoms = SHIT
- Storage symptoms = FUN
- Post-micturition dribbling
- Complications = UTI, retention, obstructive uropathy
BPH Ix?
- Urine dipstick
- Bloods = U&S, PSA
- Urinary frequency-volume chart for 3 days
- IPSS
IPSS?
International Prostate Symptom Score = to classify LUTS and QoL
1. 0-7 = mildly symptomatic
2. 8-19 = moderately symptomatic
20-35 = severely symptomatic
BPH Rx?
- Watchful waiting
- A1 antagonists = Tamsulosin, alfuzosin
- 5a reduce inhibitor = Finasteride
- Combination therapy of the above
- If a mixture of storage and voiding symptoms that persists after treatment with alpha blocker alone, then an antimuscarinic e.g. tolterodine or darifenacin may be used
- TURP
Alpha-1 antagonist for BPH mushkies?
- Tamsulosin, alfuzosin
- Decrease smooth muscle tone of the prostate and bladder
- Considered first line if IPSS >=8
- Improve symptoms in 70% men
Alpha 1 antagonist s/e?
- Dizziness
- Postural hypotension
- Dry mouth
- Depression
5a-reductase for BPH muskies?
- Finasteride
- Block conversion of testosterone to DHT, which is known to induce BPH
- Indicated if pt has significantly enlarged prostate and is considered to be at high risk of progression
- Unlike a1 antagonists causes a reduction in prostate volume and hence may slow disease progression, but takes time and symptoms may not improve for 6 months
- May also decrease PSA concentration by up to 50%
5a-reductase s/e?
- Erectile dysfunction
- Reduced libido
- Ejaculation problems
- Gynaecomastia
Diabetic surgery preparations?
- Diabetic on insulin with good glycaemic control can be managed with normal regimen
- Long surgery/poorly controlled diabetes will need VRII
- Omit SGLT2is (gliflozins)
- Reduce once daily insulin dose by 20%
Thyroid surgery prep?
Vocal cord check
Thoracic duct surgery prep?
Cream
Carcinoid tumour surgery prep?
Octreotide