Surgery Flashcards
What is a morton’s neuroma?
What symptoms does it usually present with?
treatment?
not a true neuroma! actually a mechanically-induced neuropathic degeneration that usually occurs in avid runners; sx include
- numbness and burning in the toes
- aching/burning that radiates from the distal forefoot to the 3rd/4th metatarsals
- when the 3rd/4th metatarsals are squeezed together, it reproduces the pain in the plantar surface and produces a clicking sensation (Mulder sign)
- sx worsened by walking on hard surfaces and wearing tight/high-heeled shoes
Treatment:
- metatarsal support (padded bilateral shoe inserts)
- surgical treatment if conservative management fails
What symptoms does a patient with morton’s neuroma usually present with?
treatment?
not a true neuroma! actually a mechanically induced neuropathic degeneration that usually occurs in avid runners; sx include
- numbness and burning in the toes
- aching/burning that radiates from the distal forefoot to the 3rd/4th metatarsals
- when the 3rd/4th metatarsals are squeezed together, it reproduces the pain in the plantar surface and produces a clicking sensation (Mulder sign)
- sx worsened by walking on hard surfaces and wearing tight/high-heeled shoes
Treatment:
- metatarsal support (padded shoe inserts)
- surgical treatment if conservative management fails
What symptoms do plantar fasciitis present with?
what is it usually caused by?
burning pain and point tenderness in the plantar aspect of the foot; worse with walking
common in runners with repeated microtrauma to the area
How do stress fractures usually pressent?
What are they normally caused by?
How are they usually diagnosed?
sharp and localized pain over a bony surface; made worse with palpation
caused by sudden increased in repeated tension/compression w/o adequate stress that eventually breaks the bone (avid runners/dancers or non-athletes who suddenly increase their activity)
diagnosed clinically, as x-rays are frequently normal but can sometimes reveal periosteal reaction in the site of the fracture
tarsal tunnel syndrome
what is it? how do patients usually present?
what is it usually caused by?
compression of the tibial nerve as it passes through the ankles under the flexor retinaculum -> burning/numbness/aching of the distal plantar surface of foot or toes +/- radiation to the calf
usually caused by ankle bone fractures
Tenosynovitis
what is it?
how do these patients usually present?
inflammation of the tendon and its synovial sheath, usually seen in the hand/wrist joints following a bite or puncture wound
pain/tenderness along a tendon sheath, esp with flexion + extension movements
elderly with multiple comorbidities presents with a hip fracture secondary to a fall. What is the next best step in management and why?
w/u for syncope - EKG, cardiac markers, CXR
surgery can be delayed for up to 72 hours to:
- address unstable medical comorbidities
- determine the etiology of his fall (which may be a possible syncope episode)
- assess preop risk prior to surgical intervention
how are femoral neck fractures classified and what are the risk associated with each?
intracapsular (femoral neck and head) - higher risk of avascular necrosis
extracapsular (intertrochanteric, subtrochancteric) - higher risk of implant devices (nails/rods)
pericardial tamponade
how does it present and what is the pathophysiology behind this? What can it lead to?
management?
hypotension that is unresponsive to IVF resuscitation
tachycardia
elevated JVD
acute bleed (>100-200cc blood) into a stiff pericardium (ø elasticity) results in a sudden increase in intrapericardial pressure that compresses the cardiac chambers, results in a compromised VR (elevated JVP) and CO (resulting in hypotension and compensatory sinus tachycardia)
can rapidly progress to pulseless electrical activity (PEA) with the ECG showing low voltage from the ensuing cardiac tamponade
emergent pericardiocentesis or surgical pericardiotomy to remove the blood and acutely reduce intrapericardial high pressure
pericardial tamponade
how does it usually present on a CXR?
normal cardiac silhouette due to the small amount of pericardial fluid
no evidence of tension pneumothorax
how do esophageal ruptures typically present?
severe retrosternal chest pain and mediastinal free air on CXR
prosthetic joint infection
when do these patients typically present?
what do the synovial fluid analysis usually show?
likely pathogen?
usually present months after surgery
synovial fluid - elevated WBC with PMN predominance
staph (usually s. epidermidis)
prosthetic joint infections
∆ btwn early- and delayed- onset of infection in terms of timing, presentation, and management?
early
- < 3 mo
- presents with wound drainage, erythema, swelling, +/- fever
- mgmt: removal/exchange of implant OR debridement and implant retention (keeping the implant)
delayed
- > 3 mo
- persistent joint pain, loosening of implant or sinus tract formation
- mgmt: removal/exchange of implant +/- debridement
there are two types (early vs delayed) of prosthetic joint infections. how do they differ in terms of pathogen?
early - s. aureus, GNR, anaerobes (SAG)
delayed - coag (-) staph, propionibacterium, enterococci (PECS)
Immediately after a prostetic joint replacement, your muscles will “<strong>SAG</strong>” because you are immobolized. After strength training, you will develop “<strong>PEC</strong>n<strong>S”</strong>
management for complicated diverticulitis with abscess formation?
CT-guided percutaneous drainage
surgery/laparotomy for drainage and debridement if standard treatment fails
acute diverticulitis
what are the two types and how do they present?
How are they managed?
uncomplicated - colonic diverticular inflammation resulting in LLQ pain, tenderness, fever, and leukocytosis. CT shows fat stranding + colonic wall thickening
- mgmt: bowel rest, oral abx, observation
complicated - diverticulitis with abscess, perforation, obstruction, or fistula formation;
- <3 cm - IV abx + obs; surgery if worsening symptoms
- >3 cm - CT-guided percutaneous drainage
- surgery for drainage and debridement only if drainage fails
when is surgery indicated for patients with acute diverticulitis?
- abscess - when CT-guided drainage does not control symptoms by the 5th day
- fistulas
- perforation with peritonitis
- obstruction
- recurrent attacks of diverticulitis
When is a tetanus immune globulin (TIG) ever indicated and why?
for dirty/severe wounds* in unimmunized, sub-immunized (<3 tetanus toxoid shots), or patients with ?immunization status, or those who are signficantly immunocompromised (HIV+)
(remember, TIG provides passive, temporary, but immediate immunity in these patients)
*dirty (contaminated with dirt, feces, saliva) or severe (puncture, avulsions, crush injuries, burns, frostbite) wounds are at higher risk for anaerobic growth environment favorable to Clostridium tetani
how does tetanus prophylaxis/management differ for dirty/major wounds in patients who have are fully immunized (> 3 tetanus doses) vs those who are unimmunized or sub-immunized (< 3 tetanus doses)?
fully immunized (> 3 tetanus doses) - tetanus toxoid vaccine if last booster given _>_5 years ago
unimmunized or sub-immunized (< 3 tetanus doses) - tetanus toxoid vaccine + tetanus immune globulin
how does tetanus prophylaxis/management differ for clean/minor wounds in patients who have are fully immunized (> 3 tetanus doses) vs those who are unimmunized or sub-immunized (< 3 tetanus doses)?
fully immunized (> 3 tetanus doses) - tetanus toxoid vaccine if last booster given >10 years ago
unimmunized or sub-immunized (< 3 tetanus doses) - tetanus toxoid vaccine
How does tetanus prophylaxis management differ in terms of clean/minor vs dirty/severe wounds in patients who are fully immunized (>3 tetanus doses)?
clean/minor - tetanus vaccine only if last dose >10 years ago
dirty/severe - tetanus vaccine only if last dose **>5 **years ago
How does tetanus prophylaxis management differ in terms of **clean/minor vs dirty/severe wounds **in patients who are unimmunized or sub-immunized (>3 tetanus doses)?
clean/minor - tetanus vaccine
dirty/severe - tetanus vaccine + TIG (tetanus immune globulin)
What is the equation for Aa gradient?
What is it a measure of?
What is a normal Aa gradient?
Aa = PAO2 - PaO2 = measure of O2 transfer from alveoli to blood
(PAO2 <strong>=</strong> FiO2 * (Patm - PH2O) - PaCO2/R <strong>=</strong> 0.21*(760-47) - PaCO2/0.8)
normal Aa is** <15**
T/F Aa gradient is normal in patients with reduced inspired O2 tension
true
T/F the Aa gradient is elevated in patients with hypoventilation
False - it is normal
T/F Aa gradient is elevated in the elderly compared to their youthful counterparts
True - it increases with age, but an Aa >30 is considered to be elevated regardless of age
In what scenarios is the Aa gradient elevated?
PE
atelectasis
pleural effusion/pulmonary edema
(all of these cause V/Q mismatch and subsequently elevations in Aa gradient)
definition of fever
>38C (100.4F)
Ddx of immediate post-op fever that occurs in the op or post-op period
prior infection or trauma
inflammation due to surgery
malignant hyperthermia
medications (anesthetics)
transfusion reaction/blood products given during or prior to surgery
Ddx of acute post-op fever that occurs within the first week after surgery
nosocomial infections (PE, UTI)
non-infectious (PE)
Ddx of sub-acute post-op fever that occurs >1 week after surgery
drug fever
surgical site infection
PE
Ddx of delayed post-op fever that occurs >1 month post-op
infection (viral infection from blood products, infective endocarditis)
5 major causes of post-op fever?
febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reaction
what causes it?
when does it usually occur?
how are these patients managed?
caused by **residual plasma or leukocytic cells **in PRBC taht release cytokines during storage; when transfused it can cause transient fevers, chills, and malaise (w/o hemolysis) within 1-6 hours of transfusion
mgmt: stop transfusion; r/o other causes of fever (acute hemolytic rxn) and anti-pyretics (aspirin)
when is laparoscopy vs laparotomy indicated for patients who suffered penetrating abdominal trauma?
laparoscopy = hemodynamically stable pts; assess injury to hollow viscus or other organs that cannot be readily determined clinically
laparotomy = hemodynamically unstable patients; used to diagnose and treat source of bleeding as well as any perforation of any abdominal viscus in an effort to prevent sepsis
when is peritoneal lavage indicated in cases of blunt abdominal trauma? 2
when US is not available for a FAST exam OR when a FAST exam is inconclusive
anterior dislocation of humeral head results in damage to which nerve?
what type of physical findings are notable on exam?
axillary n.
physical exam:
- prominent acromion with abnormal sub-acromial space (where humeral head normally resides)
- paralysis of deltoid and teres minor muscles
- loss of sensation over the lateral upper arm
classical presentation of patient with radial n. injury
wrist-drop
sensory loss on the posterior arm, forearm, and lateral dorsal hand
classical presentation of patient with ulnar n. injury
claw hand (secondary to paralysis of intrinsic muscles of hand)
sensory loss on the dorsal- and ventral- medial hand)
which part of the bladder wall is most susceptible to rupture when there is a sudden increase in intravesical pressure?
dome of bladder - this region is attenuated because it’s where the urachus atttaches to the bladder
most common cause of lower extremity edema
how does it classically present?
venous insufficiency (valvular incompetence)
edema that worsens throughout the day and resolves overnight when the patient is recumbent
femoral nerve
motor function
sensory areas?
innervates muscles of anterior compartment of thigh (quads, satorius, pectineus)
sensation to anterior thigh/medial leg via saphenous branch
obturator nerve
motor function?
sensory areas?
innervates medial compartment of thigh (gracilis, adductor longus/brevis/magnus)
sensation over medial thigh
superficial peroneal nerve
branch of?
motor function?
sensory area?
branch of common peroneal nerve aka fibular nerve
deep peroneal nerve
branch of?
motor function?
sensory area?
branch of common peroneal nerve aka fibular nerve
RLQ pain - indications for immediate appendectomy vs further imaging studies
immediate appendectomy - classic presentation (migratory pain, N, V, F, leuokcytosis, McBurney’s point, Rovsing sign); no further imaging before surgery is necessary
further imaging (US/CT) - atypical presentation or there are other potential causes of RLQ pain (diverticulitis, ileitis, IBD)
What is a Pilonidal Cyst?
What is it caused by?
How is it treated?
cyst or abscess near/on buttock cleft; often contains hair and skin debris
infection of hair follicles with sub-cu spread & abscess formation that then ruptures to form a pilonidal sinus tract; accumulation of hair/skin debris can subsequently cause infection/foreign body reactions, resulting in pain, swelling, and purulent discharge in the midline post-sacral intergluteal region
develops following chronic sweating/friction of skin overlying coccyx within the superior gluteal cleft -> promotes growth of anaerobic bacteria
Tx: I&D and excision of sinus tracts
perianal fistula
associated with what other disease?
where is it usually located?
Crohn’s disease
within 3 cm of the anal margin
Bowen’s disease
Squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the skin
typically presents as a gradually enlarging, well-demarcated erythematous plaque with irregular borders and crusting/scaling
Trauma patient presents with weakness and decreased pain sensation in both legs with proprioceptive sensation intact s/p MVC; AVSS, A&Ox4, IV lines in place. Next step?
bladder catheterization - in absence of obvious pelvic injury and blood at the urethral meatus, patients should have a urinary catheter placed to assess for urinary retention and prevent possible bladder injury from acute distension and damage
Children who present with supracondylar fracture of the humerus are at greatest risk of? 4
Why are these fractures so common in this population?
Complications (Barry’s Mnemonics broke his fall)
- median n. injury
- brachial a. injury
- cubitus varus deformity
- compartment syndrome/Volkmann ischemic contracture
Fractures are comon in children as the supracondylar area is thin/weak due to physiologic remodeling in childhood
Uncal herniations affect which 4 structures of the brain?
How do these patients usually present?
structures affected and presentation:
-
contralateral crus cerebri against tentorial edge
- ipsilateral hemiparesis
-
ipsilateral CN III (oculomotor)
- loss of parasympathetic innervation -> mydriasis (early)
- loss of motor innervation -> ptosis and down/out gaze of ipsilateral pupil due to unopposed CN4/6 activity (late)
-
ipsilateral posterior cerebral artery
- contralateral homonymous hemianopsia (due to ischemia of visual cortex)
-
reticular formation
- ∆ level of consciousness; coma
patient with head trauma develops HTN, bradycardia, and respiratory depression. Diagnosis? What do these patients also present with?
Cushing’s reflex - indicates increased ICP
Also present with ipsilateral oculomotor n. dysfunction (mydriasis, ptosis, down-and-out gaze) secondary to uncal herniation
management of patient with post-op pneumonia with fever, metabolic acidosis with compensatory tachypnea, hypotension with low UO
(2)
think septic shock, which is managed with
**IV NS (without vasopressor therapy) **to maintain intravascular pressure
**IV antibiotics **to correct underlying infection
(bicarb in treatment of lactic acidosis is controversial; only used in severe acute acidosis pH<7.2)
fever, limited neck ROM secondary to pain, esp with extension, trismus, dysphagia and odynophagia. XRays is as shown
dx? next step in management? (2)
retropharyngeal abscess
Get CT Neck to fully evaulate the extent of the infection
note: lateral X-rays of the neck show lordosis of cervical spine with gas + swelling in the retropharyngeal space
Trmt: IV broad spectrum abx + I&D of abscess to prevent spread into mediastinum
rapid associations: pseudomembrane pharyngitis
other symptoms associated with this?
diphtheria
low grade fever, unilateral nasal discharge, pharyngitis, cervical lymphadenopathy
rapid associations: herpangina
what other symptoms are associated with this disease?
coxsackie A virus
(vesicles on tonsils and soft palate, typically in children)
sore throat, fever, pain with swallowing
epigastric pain/tenderness with weight loss in the setting of non-specific systemic symptoms (weight loss, anorexia, fatigue) and a significant smoking history
malignancy affecting the upper GI or associated solid organs (liver, GB, pancreas
pancreatic adenocarcinoma risk factors
smoking
hereditary pancreatitis
non-hereditary chronic pancreatitis
obesity/lack of physical activity
duodenal ulcers
how do they typically present?
periodic pain that is relieved by food
PPI/H2 blockers provide some relief
in patients with suspected pancreatic cancer, diagnosis can be established with US or CT. How do you determine which test to use?
Easy!
If the patient is jaundiced (head tumors), get US
if the patient is not jaundiced (body + tail tumors), get CT
At what stage does pancreatic Ca usually present and what are the associated symptoms?
common symptoms: insidious onset of constant and gnawing epigastric pain, often worse at night, anorexia + weight loss, fatigue, migratory thrombophlebitis (Trousseau sign)
Other symptoms depends on the location of the tumor:
- head: painless jaundice (CBD obstruction), steatorrhea (inability to secrete fat-digesting enzymes/blockage of main pancreatic duct)
- **body/tail: jaundice **
don’t confuse with peptic duodenal ulcer, which typically causes periodic epigastric pain that is relieved by meals
first step in management in a patient who presents with acute variceal bleed
FIRST establish access wtih two large bore IV needles or central line
(don’t worry about management of the esophageal varices, as theyusually ceases bleeding eventually without further intervention;medical management(terlipressin, octreotide, or somatostatin) can be usedto control bleeding comes later). Can also useNG tube to minimize risk of aspiration)
common complication following surgical repair of AAA
how do these patients present (symptoms + radiological findings)
how does this occur?
colonic ischemia and infarction (usually distal L colon)
symptoms & radiological findings:
- LLQ pain with bloody diarrhea
- CT - thickness of bowel wall
- colonoscopy - discrete segment of cyanotic and ulcerated bowel
cause: inteference of blood flow to L distal colon secondary to:
- loss of collateral circulation
- mainpulation of vessels with surgical instruments
- prolonged aortic clamping and impaired blood flow through IMA
how does radiation proctitis classically present?
diarrhea
rectal bleeding
tenesmus
incontinence
later, strictures and fistulas may form
CT scan of the abdomen shows this in a 12 yo male who presented with direct blunt trauma to upper abdomen. What type of symptoms do you think he presented with? Management?
duodenal hematomas (forms in the submucosal and muscular layers of duodenum, thereby preventing gastric secretions from moving down the GI tract)
causes obstruction-like symptoms: epigastric pain with vomiting
NG tube with parenteral nutrition (most resolve in 1-2 weeks); surgery to evacuate the hematoma is considered if the more conservative method fails
management of patients with rib fractures and rationale behind this?
ensure appropriate pain control (opiates, NSAIDs, or intercostal nerve blocks) because rib pain can cause hypoventilation that may ultimately result in atelectasis and pneumonia
trauma patient presents wtih flat neck veins, significant bruising and abdominal distension
Diagnosis and pathophysiology?
hypovolemic shock
severe hemorrhage
- > decreased VR -> decreased EDV and CO
- > increased sympathetic activity -> constrict venous capacitance vessels -> improved VR
Why would someone who is undergoing hypovolemic shock (flat neck veins, abdominal distension) undergo cardiac arrest when put on mechanical ventilation?
What can you do to prevent this?
positive pressure mechanical ventilation
- > increases intrathoracic pressure during inspiration
- > increases RA pressure
-> decreases systemic VR to RA (preload) and
subsequently decreased pulmonary blood flow
-> acute circulatory failure and death
normally, (-) pressure created by inspiration assists with VR, and alleviates pressure on the pulmonary capillary system to encourage flow. On expiration, the intrathoracic pressure returns towards zero/atmospheric so that VR will increase.
prevent by IV fluid resuscitation BEFORE mechanical ventilation is attempted!
rapid association: pain worsened by passive extension of limb
compartment syndrome - soft tissue swelling caused by reperfusion following an arterio-occlusive ischemia, usually > 4-6 hrs (edema causes increased pressure within an enclosed fascial space, ultimately leads to muscle and nerve ischemia secondary to compromised blood flow)
other sx: pain out of proportion to injury, rapidly increasing and tense swelling, paresthesias
Tx: fasciotomy
patient presents with unilateral, increased lower extremity swelling. How would you differentiate btwn DVT vs compartment syndrome?
DVT: calf tenderness with vague, aching pain worsened by passive dorsiflexion of the calf with the knee extended (Homan)
Compartment: pain-out-of-proportion-to-injury increased on passive extension
patient develops jaundice on 2nd post-op days, with elevated Tbili and Alk Phos; mildly elevated AST/ALT, and normal amylase/lipase
diagnosis? pathophysiology? (3)
post-op cholestasis - usually develops after a major surgery characterized by hypotension, extensive blood loss into tissues, and massive blood replacement; pathophysiology involves
- increased pigment load caused by transfusion
- decreased liver function caused by hypotension
- decreased renal bilirubin excretion (caused by ATN secondary to hypotension)
when should patients with blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) undergo
fluid resuscitation?
fast scan?
DPL?
head CT?
Chest CT?
Abdominal CT?
- fluid resuscitation - first step always in a patient with hypotension/tachycardia
- fast scan - first step after IVF to determine if there is intraperitoneal free fluid or hemorrhage
- DPL - if FAST if unequivocal
-
CTs - done only in hemodynamically stable patients
- head CT - in patients with closed head injury coinciding with BAT
- Chest CT - in pts with multisystem injury ad suspected injury to aorta, CXR showing mediastinal abnormalities
- abdominal CT - in pts with negative findings and FAST to determine need for laparotomy
patient hears a whistling noise s/p rhinoplasty
nasal septal perforation (septum is poorly vascularlized and has poor regenerative capacity following trauma or surgery)
Patient on warfarin develops acute abdomen and requires emergent laparatomy, but the INR is currently 2.1. What is the next best step in management?
give FFP to restore the vitamin K dependent clotting factors
minimum platlet count that would provide adequate hemostasis for even the most invasive procedures?
50K
Patient with hemophilia A develops appendicitis and is required to go to the OR. What do you need to give him/her pre-operatively to prevent excess bleeding?
DDVAP - increases factor VIII by causing vWF release from endothelial cells
5 mechanisms for lowering ICP - what is the pathophysiology behind these mechanisms
- elevate head - increase venous outflow from the brain
- sedation - decreased metabolic demand and control HTN
- mannitol - osmotic diuresis (cannot cross BBB)
- hyperventilation - cerebral vasoconstriction
- CSF removal via therapeutic LP’s - reduces volume/pressure
43 yo F with acute onset of RUQ pain, fever, chills, and jaundice. US shows dilated CBD with stones in both the duct and GB. Her eyes are sunken in and she has dry mucous membranes. Started on IVF and abx, but continues to become increasingly confused and persistent fevers.
Diagnosis and next best step in management?
Reynold’s pentad (confusion + hypotension in addition to Charcot’s triad of fever, jaundice, RUQ pain)
get ERCP because urgent biliary decompression (either sphincterotomy w/ stone removal and/or stent placement) is imperative
when does fat emboli usually manifest s/p initial injury?
12-72 hours
patient presents with a femur fracture s/p unstrained MVC and complains of bilateral chest pain and SOB. How do you differentiate between pulmonary contusion vs fat emboli?
All in the presentation!
pulmonary contusion -> **hours **(cxr shows patchy, irregular infiltrates
fat emboli -> 12-72 hours
rapid association: marjolin ulcer
squamous cell carcinoma arising from burn wounds
Acute cholecystitis
definition?
classic presentation?
management?
inflammation + distension of the GB (usually due to obstruction of the cystic duct by a gallstone)
RUQ pain, fever, leukocytosis
cholecystectomy within 72 hours
Patients with acute cholecystitis has several contraindications to surgery. What other options are available for the patient?
percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage
when is non-contrast CT of the brain useful?
detecting intracerebral hemorrhage
when is doppler examination of the carotid arteries useful?
when determining the etiology of TIA or strokes
patient with irregular heart beat presents with an acute onset of pain and tingling in her R hand but did not lose consciousness. Exam shows a cold hand and undetectable radial pulse. Diagnosis and management?
limb ischemia due to arterial thrombi occlusion secondary to afib - note the 5 P’s (pain, pallor, pulselessness, paresthesias, paralysis) in the question stem
get heparin infusion + vascular surgery consult for intra-arterial thrombolysis or surgical embolectomy