Surgery Flashcards
Screening outcomes for abdominal aortic aneurysms
<3 cm - no further action
3 - 4.4cm - rescan every 12 months
4.5 - 5.4cm - rescan every 3 months
≥ 5.5cm - refer within 2 weeks to vascular surgery for probable intervention
Causes of acute pancreatitis
- Gallstones
- Ethanol
- Trauma
- Steroids
- Mumps
- Autoimmune, Ascaris infection
- Scorpion venom
- Hypertriglyceridaemia, hyperchylomicronaemia, hypercalcaemia, hypothermia
- ERCP
- Drugs
Drugs causing acute pancreatitis
- Azathioprine
- Mesalazine
- Didanosine
- Bendroflumethiazide
- Furosemide
- Pentamidine
- Steroids
- Sodium valproate
Fasting before surgery
- Clear fluids 2 hours
- Non-clear fluids/foods 6 hours
Perioperative management of diabetics on insulin
- If good glycaemic control and undergoing minor procedures, managed during op period with adjustment of usual income
- If long fasting period of more than one issed meal, or poorly controlled diabetes, variable rate insulin infusion
Management of anti-diabetic drugs day prior to admission for elective surgery
Take as normal (unless OD insulin, then reduce dose by 20%)
Management of metformin on day of operation
If taken OD or BD - take as normal
If taken TDS - omit lunchtime dose
Management of sulfonylureas on day of operation (morning operation)
If taken OM - omit dose
If taken BD - omit morning dose
Management of sulfonylureas on day of operation (afternoon operation)
If taken OM - omit dose
If taken BD - omit both doses
Management of DPP IV inhibitors (-gliptins) on day of operation?
Take as normal
Management of GLP-1 inhibitors (-tides) on day of operation?
Take as normal
Management of SGLT-2 inhibitors (-flozins) on day of operation?
Omit on day of surgery
Management of OD insulin on day of operation?
Reduce dose by 20%
Management of twice daily biphasic or ultra-long acting insulins on day of operation
Halve usual morning dose, leave evening dose unchanged
Special preparation before thyroid surgery
Vocal cord surgery
Special preparation before parathyroid surgery
Consider methylene blue to identify gland
Special preparation before sentinel node biopsy
Radioactive marker/patent blue dye
Special preparation before surgery involving thoracic duct
Consider administration of cream
Special preparation before phaeochromocytoma surgery
Alpha and beta blockade
Special preparation before surgery for carcinoid tumour
Need covering with octreotide
Special preparation before colorectal cases
Bowel preperation
Special preparation before surgery for thyrotoxicosis
Lugols iodine/medical therapy
Features duodenal ulcer
Epigastric pain relieved by eating
Features gastric ulcer
Epigastric pain worsened by eating
Features appendicitis
Pain initially central abdomen before localising to right iliac fossa
Tachycardia
Low grade pyrexia
Tenderness in RIF
What is Rovsing’s sign, and when seen
More pain in RIF than LIF when palpating LIF
Seen in appendicits
Features acute pancreatitis
Severe epigastric pain
Vomiting
What is Cullen’s sign, when seen
Periumbilical discolouration
Acute pancreatitis
What is Grey-Turner’s sign, when seen
Flank discolouration
Acute pancreatitis
Features biliary colic
Pain in RUQ radiating to back and interscapular region
May follow fatty meal
Acute cholecystitis features
History of gallstones symptoms
Continuous RUQ pain
Fever
Murphys sign and when seen
Arrest of inspiration on palpation of RUQ
Acute cholecystitis
Diverticulitis features
Colicky pain, typically LLQ
Fever
Abdominal aortic aneurysm features
Severe central abdominal pain radiating to back
Presentation may be catastrophic (sudden collapse) or subacute (persistent severe abdominal pain with developing shock)
Intestinal obstruction features
Vomiting
BNO
Tinkling BS
Location inguinal hernia
Above and medial to pubic tubercle
Location femoral hernia
Below and lateral pubic tubercle
Demographic inguinal hernia
95% male
Risk of strangulation inguinal hernia
Rare
Demographic femoral hernia
More common in women, particularly multiparous
Risk of strangulation femoral hernia
High
Features umbilical hernia
Symmetrical bulge under umbilicus
Features paraumbilical hernia
Asymmetrical bulge, half sac covered by skin of abdomen directly above or below the umbilicus
Features epigastric hernia
Lump in midline between umbilicus and xiphisternum
What is spigelian hernia
Hernia through spigelian fascia, which is aponeurotic layer between rectus abdominis muscle medially and semilunar line laterally
What is obturator hernia
Hernia passes through obturator foramen (medial thigh)
Demographic obturator hernia
More common in women
Presentation obturator hernia
Typically presents with bowel obstruction
What is Richter hernia
Rare
Only antimesenteric border of bowel herniates through fascial defect
Presentation Richter hernia
Strangulation without symptoms of obstruction
Mechanism congenital inguinal hernia
Indirect hernia resulting from patent processus vaginalis
Management congenital inguinal hernia
Surgically repaired soon after diagnosis as risk of incarceration
Risk factors infantile umbilical hernia
Premature
Afro-Caribbean
Management infantile umbilical hernia
Monitor - vast majority resolve without intervention before 4-5 years, complications are rare
Risk factors abdominal wound dehiscence
Malnutrition
Vitamin deficiencies
Jaundice
Steroid use
Major wound contamination, e.g. faecal peritonitis
Poor surgical technique
Treatment abdominal wound dehiscence
Coverage of wound with saline impregnated gauze
IV broad spectrum antibiotics
Analgesia
IV fluids
Return to theatre
Psoas sign and where seen
Pain on extending hip
Retrocaecal appendicitis
Blood findings appendicitis
Raised inflammatory markers
Neutrophil-predominant leucocytosis
Role of urinalysis in appendicitis
Exclude pregnancy, renal colic, and UTI
In appendicitis, may show mild leucocytosis but no nitrates
Management appendicitis
Appendicectomy with prophylactic IV antibiotics
Purpose of IV antibiotics in appendicectomy
Reduce wound infection rates
What is required in perforated appendicitis
Copious abdominal lavage
Complications acute pancreatitis
Peripancreatic fluid collections
Pseudocysts
Pancreatic necrosis
Pancreatic abscess
Haemorrhage
ARDS
Incidence peripancreatic fluid collection
25%
Features peripancreatic fluid collections
Located in or near pancreas
Lack wall of granulation or fibrous tissue
May resolve or develop into pseudocysts or abscesses
Management peripancreatic fluid collection
Since may resolve, avoid aspiration and drainage - may precipitate infection
How do pancreatic pseudocysts develop after acute pancreatitis
Result from organisation of peripancreatic fluid collection, may or may not communicate with ductal system.
Collection walled by fibrous or granulation tissue
When do pseudocysts occur after acute pancreatitis
Typically 4+ weeks
Bloods pancreatic pseudocyst
75% mild elevation of amylase
Investigations pancreatic pseudocyst
CT
ERCP
MRI
Endoscopic USS
Management pancreatic pseudocysts
Observation up to 12 weeks - up to 50% resolve
Treatment with endoscopic or surgical cystogastrostomy or aspiration
Location pancreatic necrosis complicating acute pancreatitis
May involve pancreatic parenchyma and surrounding fat
Management pancreatic necrosis
Sterile necrosis managed conservatively
Early necrosectomy high mortality, should be avoided if possible
What is pancreatic abscess
Intra-abdominal collection of pus associated with pancreas, but absence of necrosis
Typically result from infected pseudocyst
Management pancreatic abscess
Transgastric drainage or endoscopic drainage
What causes haemorrhage post-pancreatitis
Infected necrosis may involve vascular structures with resultant haemorrhage, may occur de novo or result of surgical necrosectomy
Acute pancreatitis management
Fluid resuscitation
Analgesia
Nutrition
Fluid resuscitation in acute pancreatitis
Aggressive early hydration with crystalloids, aim UO >0.5ml/kg/hour
Analgesia in acute pancreatitis
IV opioids usually required
Nutrition acute pancreatiits
Not routinely NBM unless clear reason
Enteral nutrition offered to anyone with moderate severe or severe acute pancreatitis within 72h of presentation
Role of parenteral nutrition in acute pancreatitis
Should only be used if enteral nutrition failed or contraindicated
Role of antibiotics in acute pancreatitis
Prophylactic antibiotics not routinely offered
Used in infected pancreatic necrosis
Criteria mild acute pancreatitis
No organ failure, no local complications
Criteria moderately severe acute pancreatitits
No or transient organ failure (<48 hours), possible local complications
Criteria severe acute pancreatitis
Persistent organ failure, possible local complications
Indications for surgery acute pancreatitis
- Gallstones
- Obstructed biliary system due to stones
- Fail to settle with necrosis and worsening organ dysfunction
- Infected necrosis
Management acute pancreatitis caused by gallstones
Early cholecystectomy
Management acute pancreatitis with obstructed biliary system due to stones
Early ERCP
Management acute pancreatitis with necrosis and worsening organ dysfunction
Debridement or fine needle aspiration
Management acute pancreatitis with infected necrosis
Radiological drainage or surgical necrosectomy
ASA 1
Normal healthy patient
Non-smoker, no or minimal alcohol use
ASA 2
Patient with mild systemic disease without substantiative functional limitations
E.g. smoker, social alcohol drinker, pregnancy, obesity, well controlled diabetes/hypertension
ASA 3
Patient with severe systemic disease
Substantiative functional limitations, one or more moderate to severe diseases
ASA 4
Severe systemic disease that is constant threat to life
ASA 5
Moribund patient not expected to survive without the operation
ASA 6
Declared brain-dead patient for organ retrieval
Management acute anal fissure
Soften stool - dietary advice, bulk-forming laxatives, if not tolerated then lactulose
Lubricants, e.g. petroleum jelly
Topical anaesthetic
Management chronic anal fissure
Acute treatments continued
Topical GTN
If not effective after 8 weeks, referral for sphincterotomy or botulinum toxin
Location of anal fissure
90% posterior midline (if other location, consider underlying cause e.g. Crohn’s)
Most common organisms anorectal abscess
E. coli
Staph aureus
Causes rectal prolapse
Childbirth
Rectal intussusception
Causes solitary rectal ulcer
Chronic staining and constipation
Histology solitary rectal ulcer
Mucosal thickening
Lamina propria replaced with collagen and smooth muscle
Types of anti-oestrogen drugs
SERM (selective oestrogen receptor modulators)
Aromatase inhibitors
Example SERM
Tamoxifen
Role of tamoxifen
Oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer treatment
Adverse effects tamoxigen
Menstrual disturbance - vaginal bleeding, amenorrhoea
Hot flushes
VTE
Endometrial cancer
Examples aromatase inhibitors
Anastrozole
Letrozole
Mechanism of action aromatase inhibitors
Reduce peripheral oestrogen synthesis
Role aromatase inhibitors
Treatment of oestrogen receptor +ve breast cancer in post-menopausal women
Adverse effects aromatase inhibitors
Osteoporosis
Hot flushes
Arthralgia, myalgia
Insomnia
Most common organism ascending cholangitis
E coli
Features ascending cholangitis
RUQ pain
Fever
Jaundice
(Charcots triad)
Hypotension
Confusion
(Reynolds’ pentad)
First line investigation ascending cholangitis
Ultrasound - bile duct dilatation and stones
Management ascending cholangitis
IV antibiotics
ERCP after 24-48 hours
Features fibroadenoma
Mobile, firm breast lump
Risk of malignancy fibroadenoma
No increased risk of malignancy
Treatment fibroadenoma
Surgical excision if >3cm
Features breast cyst
Smooth discrete lump, may be fluctuant
Risk of malignancy breast cyst
Small increased risk of breast cancer, especially if younger
Management breast cyst
Cysts should be aspirated
When does breast cyst need biopsy/excision
If aspirate blood stained or persistently refill
Sclerosing adenosis presentation
Breast lump or breast pain
Mammographic changes - may mimic carcinoma
Sclerosing adenosis malignancy risk
No increase in malignancy risk
Treatment sclerosing adenosis
Lesions should be biopsied, excision not mandatory
Epithelial hyperplasia presentation
Variable, from generalised lumpiness to discrete lump
Epithelial hyperplasia malignancy risk
Increased risk of malignancy, particularly if atypical features or family history
Treatment epithelial hyperplasia
If no atypical features, conservative management
If atypical features, either close monitoring or surgical resection
Causes fat necrosis
40% cases traumatic aetiology
Management fat necrosis
Imaging and core biopsy
Presentation duct papilloma
Usually present with nipple discharge
Large papillomas may present with mass
Duct papilloma risk of malignancy
No increased risk of malignancy
Management duct papilloma
Microdochectomy
First line treatment BPH
Alpha 1 antagonists, e.g. tamsulosin, alfuzosin
Mechanism of action alpha 1 antagonists in BPH
Decrease smooth muscle tone of prostate and bladder
Adverse effects alpha 1 antagonists
Dizziness
Postural hypotension
Dry mouth
Depression
Other treatment options BPH
5 alpha reductase inhibitors e.g. finasteride
Antimuscarinics
Surgery
Role of finasteride BPH
Indicated if significantly enlarged prostate and high risk of progression
Advantage of finasteride over tamsulosin
Cause reduction in prostate volume, so may slow progression
Limitation of finasteride BPH
Symptoms don’t improve for 6 months
Adverse effects finasteride
Erectile dysfunction
Reduced libido
Ejaculation problems
Gynaecomastia
Role of antimuscarinics BPH
If mixture of storage symptoms and voiding symptoms persisting after treatment with alpha blocker alone
Examples antimuscarinic used in BPH
Tolterodine
Darifenacin
Drugs causing gallstones
Fibrates
COCP
Features biliary colic
Right upper abdominal pain, worse after eating and after fatty foods, may radiate to right shoulder/interscapular region
Nausea and vomiting common
Management biliary colic
Elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy
AXR duodenal atresia
Double bubble sign
Investigation findings malrotation with volvulus
Upper GI contrast - DJ flexure more medially placed
USS - abnormal orientiation of SMA and SMV
Treatment malrotation with volvulus
Ladd’s procedure
AXR jejunal/ileal atresia
Air-fluid levels
Treatment jejunal/ileal atresia
Laparotomy with primary resection and anastomosis
AXR findings mec ileus
Air fluid level
Treatment mec ileus
Surgical decompression
Serosal damage may need segmental resection
Incidence mec ileus in cystic fibrosis
15-20%
AXR NEC
Dilated bowel loops
Pneumatosis
Portal venous air
Treatment NEC
Conservative and supportive if non-perf
Laparotomy and resection in perforation or ongoing deterioration
RF transitional cell bladder cancer
Smoking - most important in Western countries
Aniline dyes, e.g. printing and textile industry workers
Rubber manufacture
Cyclophosphamide
RF squamous cell bladder cancer
Schistosomiasis
Smoking
Criteria for brain stem death testing
- Deep coma of known aetiology
- Reversible causes excluded
- No sedation
- Normal electrolytes
Testing for brain death
Fixed pupils, dont respond to light
No corneal reflex
Absent oculo-vesticular reflexes
No response to supraorbital pressure
No cough reflex to bronchial stimulation, or gagging response to pharyngeal stimulation
No observed respiratory effort in response to disconnection of ventilator
How are oculo-vesticular reflexes tested in brain death
No eye movements following the slow injection of at least 50ml of ice-cold water into each ear in turn
Requirements for doctors performing brain stem death testing
Two doctors on two occasions
Both experienced in brain stem death testing
At least 5 years post-grad experience
One must be a consultant
Neither can be member of transplant team
Most common organism causing breast abscess in lactational women
Staphylococcus aureus
Presentation breast abscess
Tender, fluctuant mass in lactating women
Management breast abscess
I&D or needle aspiration
Antibiotics should be given
Determination of surgical management in breast cancer with no palpable lymphadenopathy
Should have pre-op axillary ultrasound before their primary surgery. If negative, should have sentinal node biopsy to assess nodal burden
Surgical management breast cancer with palpable lymphadenopathy
Axillary node clearance at primary surgery
SEs axillary node clearance in breast cancer
Arm lymphodema and functional arm impairment
Indications for mastectomy breast cancer
Multifocal tumour
Central tumour
Large lesion in small breast
DCIS >4cm
Indications for wide local excision breast cancer
Solitary lesion
Peripheral tumour
Small lesion in large breast
DCIS <4cm
Who is offered radiotherapy breast cancer
All wide local excision
If mastectomy, T3-4 tumours and 4+ positive axillary nodes
Who is offered hormonal therapy breast cancer
Hormone receptor positive tumours
Hormone therapy breast cancer
Tamoxifen in pre- and peri-menopausal women
Aromatase inhibitors e.g. anastrozole in post-menopausal women
Why are aromatase inhibitors offered to post-menopausal women with ER+ve breast cancer
Aromatisation accounts for majority of oestrogen production in this group
SE’s tamoxifen
Increased risk of endometrial cancer
Increased risk VTE
Menopausal symptoms
Most common type of biological therapy breast cancer
Trastuzumab (herceptin)
Who is offered herceptin
HER2 positive (only useful in 20-25%)
Herceptin contraindication
History of heart disorders
2WW breast cancer referral criteria
- 30+ unexplained breast lump
- 50+ unilateral nipple discharge, retraction, or other changes of concern
Criteria consider 2WW referral breast cancer
Skin changes suggesting breast cancer
30+ unexplained lump in axilla
Non-urgent breast referral criteria
Under 30 with unexplained breast lump with or without pain
Breast cancer risk factors
BRCA1/2 mutation
Nulliparity, first pregnancy >30 years
Early menarche, late menopause
COCP, combined HRT
Past breast cancer
Not breastfeeding
Ionising radiation
p53 mutation
Obesity
Previous surgery for benign breast disease
NHS breast cancer screening programme schedule
Mammogram 3 yearly in 50-70y/o
Who needs referring for familial breast cancer
If one first or second degree relative with breast cancer and:
Age of diagnosis <40 years
Bilateral breast cancer
Male breast cancer
Ovarian cancer
Jewish ancestry
Sarcoma in relative younger than age 45 years
Glioma or childhood adrenal cortical carcinomas
Complicated patterns of multiple cancers at young age
Paternal history of breast cancer (2+ relatives on fathers side)