Surgery Flashcards
Intraabdominal pathology causing pain in one or both shoulders suggests what?
subdiagphragmatic peritonitis
Among the possible blunt traumatic bladder injuries, only an intraperitoneal rupture of the bladder dome could by itself, cause a chemical peritonitis.
where is the most common site of extraperitoneal bladder rupture?
bladder neck
Pancreatic cancer presentation
-combo of constant and gnawing epigastric pain that is frequently worse at night, anorexia w/ weight loss, and jaundice due to extrahepatic biliary obstruction (cholestatic picture of elevated alk phos. and direct bilirubin)
Distended neck veins
either pneumothorax or cardiac tamponade
tracheal deviation to the right
- LEFT sided pneumothorax/hemothorax
- RIGHT sided lung collapse
hypotension, tachypnea, tachycardia
tension pneumothorax
untreated tension pneumothorax
can lead to pulseless electrical activity and/or asystole
Patients who continue to remain hemodynamically unstable after needle decompression of pneumothorax?
have a FAST (focused assessment w/ Sonography for Trauma) exam to look for pericardial tamponade
what do the neck veins look like in a hemothorax?
collapsed
Tension pneumothorax
- presence of tachypnea, tachycardia, and distended neck veins, and tracheal deviation in pts w/ blunt or penetrating chest trauma
- pts w/ hemodynamic instability and suspected TP should have immediate needle thoracostomy prior to intubation, as positive ventilation following intubation usually exacerbates an existing pneumothorax
Clinical features of compartment syndrome
- pain out of proportion to injury
- pain increased on passive stretch
- rapidly increasing and tense swelling
- paresthesia (early)
- decreased sensation
- motor weakness (within hours)
- paralysis (late)
- decreased distal pulses (uncommon finding)
Ischemia-reperfusion syndrome
a form of compartment syndrome
- reperfusion of a limb following arterio-occlusive ischemia for longer than 4-6 hours can lead to intracellular and interstitial edema
- compartment syndrome may occur when edema causes the pressure within a muscular fascial compartment to rise above 30mmHg, leading to further ischemic injury
compartment syndrome pressures
- compartment pressure >30 mmHg or delta pressure (diastolic BP - compartment pressure) < 20-30 mmHg indicates significant CS.
- if compartment pressures are improving, pts may be closely observed. However, pts who have elevated compartment pressures and do not show rapid improvement require FASCIOTOMY
how can embolic occlusion be differentiated from compartment syndrome?
embolic occlusion will have absent pulses, pallor of affected limb, and lack of local swelling
Acute cholecystitis
- pain is predominantly in the upper abdomen and radiates to the tip of the right scapula or right shoulder
- Radioisotope (HIDA) scan is indicated in patients w/ acute cholecystitis when ultrasonography cannot definitively demonstrate obstruction at the neck of the gall bladder
when is exploratory laparotomy indicated?
when there is evidence of PERITONITIS (perforated viscus (free air under diaphragm), ruptured AAA, abdominal trauma, etc.)
-signs of guarding, rigidity, or rebound tenderness
Urinalysis in patients w/ urinary stones
-will show microscopic or gross hematuria in over 90% of cases
Ureteral calculi
- may cause flank or abdominal pain radiating to the perineum, often w/ nausea and vomiting
- a noncontrast spiral CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis is the imaging modality of choice to confirm the diagnosis
- Ultrasonography can be used if CT is unavailable or if the patient is pregnant to reduce radiation exposure
Intraductal papilloma
- intermittent bloody discharge from one nipple
- benign
- masses generally not appreciable because they are small, soft, and directly beneath the nipple
Paralytic (adynamic) ileus
- absent bowel sounds w/ gasseous distention of both the small and large bowels.
- classically follows abdominal surgery but can also occur in cases of retroperitoneal hemorrhage associated w/ vertebral fracture
Atelectasis
- one of the most common postoperative pulmonary complications and is usually due to airway obstruction from retained airway secretions, decreased lung compliance, postoperative pain, and meds that interfere w/ deep breathing
- ABG levels typically show hypoxemia, hypocapnia, and respiratory alkalosis
when does post-op atelectasis typically begin symptomatically?
2nd post-op day
what is the minimum duration of smoking cessation necessary prior to surgery to show a significant effect?
8 weeks
tracheobronchial tear
-dyspnea, hemoptysis, subcutaneous emphysema, Hamman sign (audible crepitus on cardiac auscultation) and sternal tenderness
absolute contraindication to lapraSCOPY?
-hemodynamic instability
For hemodynamically UNSTABLE pts in whom blunt abdominal trauma is suspected, fluid resuscitation should be initiated, followed by ultrasound exam (FAST). If ultrasound reveals intraperitoneal blood, the patient should then undergo urgent laparOTOMY for surgical repair.
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A hemodynamically STABLE patient w/ intraperitoneal blood on US should undergo a CT scan of the abdomen w/ contrast. The surgeon can then select either laparotomy or admission and observation, based on the CT result.
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Diagnostic peritoneal lavage
-should be performed in any hemodynamically UNSTABLE patient w/ an equivocal or poor quality ultrasound exam (FAST).
the use of laparoSCOPY in cases of blunt abdominal trauma is debatable and hemodynamic instability is an absolute contraindication to laparoscopy
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shock
any state that causes perfusion inadequate to meet the oxygen and nutrient demands of the tissues
hypotension, tachycardia, flat neck veins, confusion, and cold extremities despite IV fluid resuscitation in a trauma patient inidicates hypovolemic/hemorrhagic shock
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Brachial artery injury
commonly injured in supra-condylar fracture of humerus, commonly seen in children
-ischemia (pain, pallor, pulselessness, paresthesia and pressure)
ulnar nerve injury
claw hand
-commonly associated w/ humeral fracture
Beck’s triad
Cardiac tamponade
-hypotension w/ pulsus paradoxus, jugular venous distension, and muffled heart sounds
tx for tension pneumothorax
-immediate needle thoracostomy in the second intercostal space at the midclavicular line
tx for all NONdisplaced scaphoid fractures (fractures w/ <2mm of displacement and no angulation)
-wrist immobilization for 6-10 weeks
The wrist should be immobilized in all proven or suspected scaphoid fractures due to the risk of nonunion. If the initial x-rays are negative in a patient w/ suspected scaphoid fracture, further management should be immobilization w/ subsequent x-ray in 7-10 days or immediate advanced imaging
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perianal abscess
- presents w/ anal pain and a tender, erythematous bulge at the anal verge
- pain and swelling located superior to the anus over the coccyx in the middle postsacral intergluteal cleft
Suppurative hidradenitis
- multiple painful nodules and pustules of the axillea and groin
- lesions lead to sinus formation and fibrosis
- this along w/ pilonidal disease, dissecting folliculitis of the scalp and acne conglobata are members of the follicular occlusion tetrad
Bowen’s disease
- squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the skin
- typically presents as a thin erythematous plaque w/ well-defined irregular borders and an overlying scale or crust
Pilonidal disease
- acute pain and swelling of the midline sacrococcygeal skin and subcutaneous tissues are most commonly due to pilonidal disease
- the acute presentation involves infection of a dermal sinus tract originating over the coccyx
“Popeye sign”
- seen in rupture of the tendon of long head of biceps
- biceps muscle belly becomes prominent in the mid upper arm
- weakness w/ supination is prominent and forearm flexion is typically preserved
injury to the long thoracic nerve
winged scapula due to paralysis of the serratus anterior muscles
-most common cause is iatrogenic injury during axillary lymphadenectomy
positive drop arm tests suggest what?
rotator cuff tear
Cushing’s reflex
- hypertension, bradycardia, and respiratory depression
- indicates elevated intracranial pressure
Transtentorial herniation of the parahippocampal uncus can occur during significant head trauma and leads to ipsilateral hemiparesis, ipsilateral mydriasis and strabismus, contralateral hemianopsia, and altered mentation.
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Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
- typically occurs in obese, early-adolescent boys
- should be promptly treated w/ surgical pinning of the slipped epiphysis where it lies (in situ) in order to lessen the risks of avascular necrosis of the femoral head and chondrolysis
all patients with a clavicular fracture should have a careful neurovascular exam to rule out injury to the underlying brachial plexus and subclavian artery
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Unilateral subacute hip pain in a male child coupled with a progressive antalgic gait, thigh muscle atrophy, decreased hip range of motion, and collapse of the ipsilateral femoral head on plain pelvic x-rays are findings suggestive of idiopathic avascular necrosis of the femoral capital epiphysis (Legg-Calve-Perthes disease).
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Nasogastric tube indications
- bowel obstruction
- enteral nutrition
- gastric lavage
Pts w/ traumatic spinal cord injuries should first be hemodynamically stabilized and have proper airway management. An important next step is urinary catheter placement to assess for urinary retention and prevent bladder distention and damage.
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A pregnancy test should be administered to any woman of childbearing age before performing any diagnostic tests such as x-rays or CT scans that involve ionizing radiation.
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CT scan is the investigation of choice to diagnose an intraabdominal abscess. MSK infections such as osteomyelitis or abscess frequently result from hematogenous spread of organisms from another site, such as the skin. In such cases, S. aureus is the most common offending pathogen.
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Blunt trauma to the upper abdomen can cause a pancreatic contusion, crush injury, laceration or transection. Pancreatic injuries may be missed by CT scan during the first six hours following trauma. An untreated pancreatic injury can later by complicated by a retroperitoneal abscess or pseudocyst.
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young individual who presents w/ a fleshy immobile mass on the midline hard palate
- Torus Palatinus
- no medical or surgical therapy is required unless the growth becomes symptomatic or interferes w/ speech or eating
signs of tracheobronchial injury
hemoptysis, pneumomediastinum, and air leak even after chest tube placement
All hemodynamically unstable patients w/ penetrating abdominal trauma must undergo immediate exploratory laparotomy to diagnose and treat the source of bleeding, as well as to diagnose and treat perforation of any abdominal viscus in an effort to prevent sepsis.
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femoral nerve
provides sensation to the anterior thigh and medial leg via the saphenous branch
Ludwig’s angina
- infection of the submandibular and sublingual glands
- the source of infection is most commonly an infected tooth, usually the second or third mandibular molar
- asphyxiation is the most common cause of death
colon cancer
- tends to present w/ chronic occult blood loss
- gross bleeding is less likely
- always a concern in patients w/ lower GI bleeding, although it is less common than is diverticulosis
ischemic colitis
- usually occurs in the setting of hypotension, vasculitis, or atherosclerotic disease
- pts have abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting
- bleeding occurs due to ischemia of the watershed ares of the colon, most commonly the splenic flexure
acute mesenteric thrombosis
- abdominal pain out of proportion of physical findings, nausea/vomiting, and bloody diarrhea due to mucosal sloughing
- pts have numerous atherosclerotic risk factors
Diverticulosis
- most common cause of lower GI hemorrhage in an elderly patient
- bleeding from diverticulosis is typically painless
- diverticulosis should be distinguished from diverticulitis, which is characterized by abdominal pain and infectious symptoms, usually w/o associated bleeding
tracheobronchial disruption
-may cause pneumothorax, mediastinal emphysema, and/or subcutaneous emphysema on chest x-ray
Laryngeal mask placement
-TEMPORARY measure to stabilize the patient until another airway can be established if orotracheal intubation fails
Nasotracheal intubation
- blind procedure that is CONTRAINDICATED in apneic/hypopneic patients
- its also contraindicated if the patient has a basilar skull fracture as such fractures are associated w/ a risk of cribriform plate disruption, which could lead to inadvertent intracranial passage of the tube
needle cricothyroidotomy
- risk of carbon dioxide retention makes it not ideal in pts w/ head injury who might require hyperventilation
- however, its preferred to surgical cricothyroidotomy in CHILDREN age <12 as it is easier to perform anatomically
Tracheostomy
- no longer a first option for establishing an airway due to its complications
- surgical cricothyroidotomy is preferred over surgical tracheostomy but should be converted to formal tracheostomy in 5-7 days if prolonged airway control is needed. Prolonged use of cricothyroidotomy has a high incidence of tracheal stenosis
Pts w/ cervical spine injuries require initial stabilization of the cervical spine. OROTRACHEAL INTUBATION w/ rapid-sequence intubation is preferred for establishing an airway in an apneic patient w/ a cervical spine injury
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duodenal perforation
- usually presents w/ sudden-onset, diffuse abdominal pain
- abdomen is rigid on initial exam (becomes distended later) w/ signs of peritonitis
- imaging typically shows free air under the diaphragm
Mesenteric ischemia
- usually presents w/ sudden periumbilical abdominal pain out of proportion to exam findings
- risk factors include older age, atrial fibrillation, CHF, and atherosclerotic vascular disease
- CT shows focal or segmental bowel wall thickening, small bowel dilation, and mesenteric stranding
small-bowel obstruction
-abdominal distension, high-pitched hyperactive bowel sounds, dilated loops of bowel w/ air-fluid levels on imaging, and no or minimal air in the colon and rectum
Acalculous cholecystitis
- occurs in critically ill patients
- imaging studies show gallbladder wall thickening and distension and pericholecystic fluid
- the emergency tx of choice is antibiotics and percutaneous cholecystostomy, followed by cholecystectomy when the medical condition stabilizes
Pts w/ clinical signs of a scaphoid fracture following an injury likely to cause such a fracture should be presumed to have the fracture and have an initial x-ray. If the x-ray is negative, the next step is thumb immobilization in a spica cast and repeated x-rays in 7-10 days
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anterior urethra injury
-perineal tenderness or hematoma, a normal prostate, and bleeding from the urethra
posterior urethral injury
- associated w/ pelvic fractures
- pts present w/ blood at the urethral meatus, a high riding prostate, scrotal hematoma, inability to void despite sensing an urge to void, and a palpably distended bladder
Atelectasis
- common post-op complication that results from shallow breathing and weak cough due to pain.
- its most common on post-op day 2 and 3 following abdominal or thoracoabdominal surgery.
- adequate pain control, deep-breathing exercises, directed coughing, early mobilization, and incentive spirometry decrease the incidence of post-op atelectasis
Diverticulosis
- most common cause of lower GI hemorrhage in an elderly patient
- typically painless
- should be distinguished from diverticulitis, which is characterized by abdominal pain and infectious symptoms, usually without associated bleeding