Surgery Flashcards
What should be assessed when looking at a patients airway in the ABCDE approach?
Look: Signs of obvious airway obstruction e.g. vomit, Chest wall excursion, See-saw breathing
Feel: Breath
Listen: Stridor, Gurgling
What can be done to treat if a patient is having a problem with their airway?
Head tilt and chin lift
Jaw thrust
Adjuncts: Guedel airway, Nasopharyngeal airway, Laryngeal mask airway
Definitive airway
What is the definition of a definitive airway?
Requires a tube present in trachea with cuff inflated, tube connected to some form of oxygen enriched assisted ventilation and airway secured with tape
What are the different types of definitive airway?
Endotracheal (ET) tube Nasotracheal tube Surgical airway (tracheostomy or cricothyroidotomy)
What can you look for to assess a patient’s breathing?
Central/peripheral cyanosis Chest wall deformity Abnormal chest expansion: Asymmetry, Flail, See-saw breathing Tracheal tug Accessory muscle usage
What can you feel for to assess a patient’s breathing?
Asymmetric chest expansion
Deviated trachea
Displaced apex beat
Percussion
What can you listen for to assess a patient’s breathing?
Auscultation: Absent breath sounds, Crackles, Wheeze
What can you measure to assess a patient’s breathing?
Respiratory rate
O2 saturations
ABG
CXR
What can you measure to assess a patient’s circulation?
Heart rate Capillary refill Blood pressure Temperature Urine output: 0.5 ml/kg/hr
What are the different types of shock?
Hypovolaemic
Cardiogenic
Distributive: anaphylactic, septic, neurogenic
Obstructive
What are signs of hypovolaemic shock?
Tachycardia
Tachypnoea
Cool peripheries
Altered mental state
Why should you not use BP as a measure of hypovolaemic shock?
BP is a reasonably late change so look for urine output/HR changes first. Can have lost 2L blood before any change
What is the difference between neurogenic and spinal shock?
Neurogenic: lose sympathetic tone
Spinal: temporary spinal paralysis
What is the SIRS criteria?
2 or more of the following: HR: 90 or above RR: over 20 or PaCO2< 4.3kPa Temp: below 36 or above 38 WCC: <4x109 cells/L OR >12x109 cells/L OR >10% immature neutrophils
What is lactic acid and what is it an effective measure of?
Formed when glucose is broken down, then oxidised to pyruvate
Reduces NADH to NAD+, which enables respiration to continue
When cells are in a hypoxic state, they are forced to metabolise glucose anaerobically. Leads to a build up of lactic acid
Good indicator of tissue perfusion/hypoxia
What is the enhanced recovery after surgery strategy?
Combination of evidence-based peri-operative strategies which work synergistically to expedite recover after surgery
What are pre operative recommendations for enhanced recovery after surgery?
Pre op counselling and training
Curtailed fast: 6h solids, 2h clear liquids, pre op carb loading
Avoidance of mechanical bowel prep
DVT prophylaxis using LMWH
Single dose of prophylactic abx covering aerobic and anaerobic pathogens
What are peri-operative recommendations for enhanced recovery after surgery?
High (80%) oxygen concentration in peri operative period
Prevention of hypothermia
Goal directed intra operative fluid therapy
Preferable use of short and transverse incisions for open surgery
Avoidance of post op drains and NG tubes
Short duration of epidural analgesia and local blocks
What are post operative recommendations for enhanced recovery after surgery?
Avoidance of opiates, use of paracetamol and NDSAIDs
Early commencement of post op diet
Early and structured post op mobilisation
Administration of restricted amounts of IV fluid
Regular audit
What factors are on the surgical safety checklist when patient signs in?
Patient confirms identity, site, procedure, consent
Site marked
Anaesthesia safety check completed
Pulse oximeter on patient and functioning
Allergies?
Airway/aspiration risk?
Risk of over 500ml blood loss? (7ml/kg in child)
What factors are on the surgical safety checklist before any skin incision?
Confirm all team members have introduced themselves by name and role
Surgeon, anaesthetist and nurse verbally confirm patient, site and procedure
Anticipated critical surgical events: operative duration, expected blood loss
Anticipated critical anaesthetic events: patient specific concerns
Anticipated critical nursing events: sterility confirmed, equipment issues
Abx prophylaxis been given in last 60 mins?
Is essential imaging displayed?
What factors are on the surgical safety checklist when patient signs out?
Nurse verbally confirms: procedure, instrument needle and sponge counts are correct, how specimens are labelled, whether there are any equipment problems to be addressed
Surgeon, anaesthetist and nurse review key concerns for recovery and management of this patient
What details should be included on a surgical consent form?
Procedure, side, location (joint)
How should limb marking for surgery be carried out?
Clear arrow
Indelible ink
Not at site of incision
What are benefits of minimally invasive surgery?
Increased safety: less blood loss, less trauma, less pain
Faster recovery
Decreased length of hospital stay
Decreased scarring
What are problems with minimally invasive surgery?
Depth of Field Limited view 2-D vision Paradoxical movement: fulcrum effect Long, rigid instruments: Amplify tremor, fewer degrees of freedom
What different forms of robotic surgery are there?
Computer Assisted Surgery: surgeon generally holds tools and computers might help in planning and positioning
Robotic surgery: Robots will hold tools, providing greater accuracy
and precision
Telerobotics: area of robotics concerned with the control of robots from a distance
What are benefits of robotic surgery?
3D vision Surgeon-controlled camera Articulated working tips – 7 degrees of Freedom Ergonomic Tremor abolition Motion Scaling
What are some problems with single incision laparoscopic surgery? And how can you overcome these?
Clutter of hands
Inadequate triangulation
Using instruments of different length
Using controllably flexible instruments
What is a NOTES procedure?
Natural Orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery
What are benefits of NOTES procedures?
No scars No wound infection Less pain No hernias No internal adhesions Can perform surgery under sedation
What are advantages and disadvantages of surgical simulation?
Advantages: Safe, Flexible, Objective feedback
Disadvantages: cost, integration into curriculum, assessment validity
What post op complications are we aiming to minimise by improving surgical safety?
Pain
Confusion
Venous-thromboembolism
Surgical site infection
What is the most common post op complication?
Surgical site infection
What is the most common hospital acquired infection?
Surgical site infection
On average how many more days in hospital does a post op surgical site infection cause?
7
How much is death rate increased by a post op surgical site infection?
2-11 times
What strategies are used to prevent post op surgical site infection?
Antimicrobial prophylaxis, Discontinue as soon as possible Do not remove hair Control blood glucose Maintain normothermia Optimise oxygenation Alcohol based skin prep
What is an acute abdomen?
Rapid onset of severe symptoms that may indicate potentially life-threatening intra-abdominal pathology that requires urgent surgical intervention
What questions are important when taking a Hx from a patient with an acute abdomen?
Pain: SQITAS Vomiting Bowels last open Urinary symptoms Bleeding Weight loss Anorexia Fevers Female: LMP, PV discharge, pregnant?
What aspects of the examination are important in a patient presenting with an acute abdomen?
Stable (Full examination) vs unstable (ABCDE)
End of bed inspection (jaundice, cachectic, lying still/writhing, vomit bowl, cigarettes)
Hands, face, lymph nodes, abdomen
Look, palpate, percuss, auscultate
Complete with hernial orifices and PR (with chaperone)
What can be inflammatory/infective causes of an acute abdomen?
Diverticulitis Pyelonephritis Appendicitis Cholecystitis Pancreatitis
What is a diverticulum?
Out-pouching of the colonic wall typically found on the sigmoid and descending colon
How will diverticulitis typically present?
Left iliac fossa pain
Fever
How might a perforated diverticulum which has formed a fistula present?
Recurrent UTI, PV brown discharge
How does appendicitis typically present? What sign might you look for?
Typically presents with migratory RIF pain
Tenderness and guarding in RIF
Anorexia
Rovsing’s sign: pressure in LIF increases pain in RIF due to bowel pushing onto inflamed appendix
Psoas sign: flexion of right leg causes irritation of peritoneum causing pain
What symptoms is a person with pyelonephritis likely to present with?
Flank pain
Urinary symptoms
Pyrexia
What investigation results would you get in a patient with pyelonephritis?
Raised WCC and CRP
Urine dip positive for leucocytes and nitrites
What is the management for a patient with pyelonephritis?
Treat with broad spectrum antibiotics and ensure renal function is not impaired. May require US KUB
What biliary problems could a patient have who is presenting with RUQ pain?
Biliary colic
Choledocholithiasis
Cholecystitis
Cholangitis
What is biliary colic?
Pain in the RUQ caused by gallstones
Stones become temporarily stuck in the cystic duct
What is choledocholithiasis?
Stone becomes stuck in the biliary tree
Causing pain without the presence of infection
How does Cholecystitis present?
Pain in the RUQ
Often present with fever
What would you see on USS of a patient with Cholecystitis?
Thick walled gallbladder
How is Cholecystitis managed?
Abx and IV fluids
What is charcots triad of ascending cholangitis?
Fever
Jaundice
Abdominal pain
What is the management for ascending cholangitis?
Abx, IVI and ERCP
Cholecystectomy when the condition has settled
What are some causes of bowel obstruction?
Intraluminal: foreign body, constipation, bezoar, gallstone
Intramural: Ca, stricture, volvulus, intersusseption
Extramural: Hernia, adhesions, Ca
If vomiting was the first symptom of a patient presenting with bowel obstruction, where is the obstruction likely to be?
Small bowel
How can you recognise a small bowel obstruction on an X-ray?
Centrally located multiple dilated loops of gas filled bowel
Valvulae conniventes - lines all the way across
Thin bowel wall
What vascular pathologies can present as an acute abdomen?
Mesenteric ischaemia
Ischaemic colitis
Ruptured AAA
What lactate result suggests vascular compromise in an acute abdomen setting?
Can be raised in biliary colic, but if greater than 7, likely to be vascular compromise
When looking for a perforation, what imaging modalities can be used? And what do you see?
Look for pneumoperitoneum on CXR
Lateral decubitus is more sensitive
CT is best
What are some medical causes of an acute abdomen?
Lower lobe pneumonia
Inferior MI
DKA
Porphyria
What investigations should be done for an acute abdomen?
Observations and simple bedside tests
Bloods: FBC, U and Es, CRP, Amylase, Clotting, G&S/X-match, VBG/ABG
Imaging: xray (erect chest, abdominal), USS, CT KUB and CT abdo/pelvis
Diagnostic laparoscopy
What are management steps for an acute abdomen?
ABCDE approach
IV access with bloods
Patient is likely to require fluid resuscitation not just maintenance fluids
Urinary catheter
Analgaesia according to WHO analgaesia ladder
Antiemetic
Obstruction or significant vomiting – NG tube
Abx
Consider NBM
SENIOR REVIEW
What is McBurney’s point?
1/3 distance from ASIS to umbilicus
Most common location of appendix
What would be your differentials for a 20 year old female with right iliac fossa pain?
Appendicitis Ectopic pregnancy Ruptured/torted ovarian cyst Crohn's disease Meckels diverticulum
What is the most sensitive marker for pancreatitis?
Lipase
What are some causes of pancreatitis?
Gallstones Ethanol Trauma Steroids Mumps Autoimmune Scorpion sting Hypercalcaemia/hyperlipidaemia ERCP Drugs (Azothiaprine, simvastatin)
What is the Glasgow score for pancreatitis severity?
Score of 3 or more - high risk of severe pancreatitis (death, surgery or complications) PaO2 <8kPa Age >55 Neutrophils – WCC >15 Calcium <2.0 Renal – Urea >16 Enzymes – AST/ALT >200 or LDH >600 Albumin <32 Sugar – Glucose >10
How do you manage pancreatitis?
IVI
UO monitoring
Analgaesia
What would be your differential list for a ruptured AAA?
Ruptured AAA Inferior MI Appendicitis Diverticulitis Pancreatitis Gallstones Large bowel obstruction Small bowel obstruction Peptic ulcer disease
What is the management for a ruptured AAA?
Informing senior and vascular consultant early
Establishing 2 x large bore access in ACFs
Full set of bloods including xmatch for 4-6 units
Consider major haemorrhage protocol
Careful fluid resuscitation (target 90-100 sys BP)
Theatre
What are the gold standard best practice guidelines for patients with neck of femur fractures?
Time to surgery within 36h from arrival in ED or time of diagnosis to start of anaesthesia if an inpatient
Admitted under joint care of geriatrician and orthopaedic consultant
Admitted under assessment protocol agreed by geriatric medicine, orthopaedic surgery and anaesthetics
Assessed by geriatrician in post op period within 72 h of admission
Post op geriatrician directed MDT rehab team
Fracture prevention assessments - falls and bone health
What are the criteria for recommendation for liver transplant?
Arterial pH <7.3
Arterial lactate >3 after fluid rehydration
Within 24h: PT >100, creatinine >300, grade III/IV encephalopathy
What are extrahepatic/obstructive causes of jaundice?
Bile duct obstruction
Pancreatic cancer
Bile duct carcinoma
Gall stones
What are hepatic causes of jaundice?
Hepatitis EBV Metastatic disease Primary hepatoma Alcoholic cirrhosis Primary biliary cirrhosis Autoimmune hepatitis
What are the causes of abdominal pain in nephrotic syndrome?
Peritonitis
Renal vein thrombosis
Hypovolaemia
What bugs can commonly cause septic arthritis?
Staphylococci
Streptococci
Gonococci - young sexually active
Pseudomonas - immunocompromised, IVDU
What is the clinical presentation of septic arthritis?
Pain
Pseudoparalysis
Pyrexia
Which joints are most commonly affected in septic arthritis?
Knee - 50%
Hip - 20%
What are your important differential diagnoses for septic arthritis?
Inflammatory arthritis Crystal arthropathy Reactive arthritis Osteoarthritis Trauma
What is Kochers criteria for septic arthritis?
Pyrexia >38.5 °C Inability to weight bear WCC >12.5 ESR >40 If 1 present, 1% chance If 2 present, 40% chance If 3 present, 93% chance If 4 present, 99% chance
What investigations would you do for septic arthritis?
Bloods (WBC, ESR, CRP, cultures)
Routine imaging (plain films, ultrasound)
Specialised imaging (CT, MRI, radionuclide)
Gold Standard is joint aspirate for microscopy and culture + tissue samples if possible
Do NOT give antibiotics unless patient in septic shock
What do you look for on a joint aspiration in septic arthritis?
Microscopy and Gram stain (only 60% positive)
WCC >50,000/microL, 75% polymorphonuclear leukocytes
What is the general management for septic arthritis?
Diagnosis (no antibiotics yet) Surgery for debridement IV antibiotics Oral antibiotics Follow up
What surgery should be done in septic arthritis?
Arthroscopic or open washout of native joint infections
Prosthetic joint infections, artificial joint may be preserved in early infections but is usually revised in late infection
What role do antibiotics have in septic arthritis?
NOT until joint has been aspirated unless patient in septic shock
Initially broad spectrum to cover common organisms then adjust according to culture and sensitivities
IV until patient clinically and biochemically improving then prolonged course of oral antibiotics (4 to 6 weeks commonly recommended)
Consider dose and concentration in bone/joint
Consider poly antimicrobial therapy
Close liaison with medical microbiology
Multi-disciplinary care
Long-term antibiotic suppression in certain cases
What is compartment syndrome?
Increased pressure within a closed fascial compartment leading to impaired tissue perfusion
Which compartments are the most commonly affected in compartment syndrome?
Lower leg
What percent of tibial fractures are complicated by compartment syndrome?
Between 1% and 9%
How is the diagnosis of compartment syndrome made?
Clinical diagnosis
Pain most important initial symptom, exacerbated on passive stretch of the muscles that traverse the affected compartment
Paraesthesia, Pallor, Pulselessness and Paralysis are late features
How do you diagnose compartment syndrome in those who are comatose or who cannot communicate pain?
Confirmed by compartment pressure monitoring
Pressure of 30mmHg or within 20mmHg of diastolic BP
What is the management of compartment syndrome?
Release all casts, splints and dressings down to skin
Elevate limb
Analgesia
Keep NBM but don’t delay surgery for fasting
Emergency Fasciotomy (full, open release of all compartments in the limb segment affected)
What is an open fracture?
A broken bone that is in communication through the skin with the environment
What is the golden hour in polytrauma?
Highest likelihood that prompt medical treatment in this time will prevent death
What is the gustilo classification of open fractures?
I Low energy, wound less than 1 cm
II Wound greater than 1 cm with moderate soft tissue damage
III High energy wound greater than 1 cm with extensive soft tissue damage
IIIA Adequate soft tissue cover
IIIB Inadequate soft tissue cover
IIIC Associated with arterial injury
What is the management framework for severe open fractures?
Boast 4
IV abx ASAP, in 3 hours of injury: Co-amoxiclav (1.2g) or Cefuroxime (1.5g) 8 hourly continued until wound debridement. Clindamycin 600mg, 6 hourly if penicillin allergy
Vascular and neuro status of limb assessed, repeated at intervals, particularly after reduction of fractures or application of splints
Vascular impairment requires immediate surgery and restoration of circulation using shunts, ideally in 3-4 hours, with a max acceptable delay of 6 hours warm ischaemia
Compartment syndrome - immediate surgery, with 4 compartment decompression via 2 incisions
Urgent surgery in some multiply injured patients with open fractures or if wound is heavily contaminated by marine, agricultural or sewage matter
Combined plan for management of soft tissues and bone by plastics and orthopods
Wound handled only to remove gross contamination and to allow photography, then covered in saline-soaked gauze and an impermeable film to prevent desiccation
Limb, including knee and ankle, is splinted
Centres that cannot provide combined plastic and orthopaedic surgical care for severe open tibial fractures have protocols in place for early transfer of patient to an appropriate specialist centre
Primary surgical treatment (wound excision and fracture stabilisation) of severe open tibial fractures only takes place in non-specialist centre if patient cannot be transferred safely
Wound, soft tissue and bone excision (debridement) performed by senior plastic and orthopaedic surgeons working together on scheduled trauma operating lists within normal working hours and within 24 hours of injury unless there is marine, agricultural or sewage contamination. 6 hour rule does not apply for solitary open fractures. Co-amoxiclav (1.2g) and Gentamicin (1.5mg/kg) administered at wound excision, continued for 72 hours or definitive wound closure
If definitive skeletal and soft tissue reconstruction is not to be undertaken in single stage, vacuum foam dressing or antibiotic bead pouch applied until definitive surgery
Definitive skeletal stabilisation and wound cover are achieved within 72 hours and should not exceed 7 days
What is the difference between subluxation, dislocation and a fracture dislocation?
Subluxation – incomplete luxation or dislocation; although a
relationship is altered, contact between joint surfaces remains
Dislocation – abnormal separation in the joint, where two or more bones meet
Fracture dislocation - fracture of a bone near a joint, also involving
dislocation
What are potential problems with joint dislocation?
Joint damage AVN Soft tissue damage Pain Neuro –vascular complications
Where do fracture blisters most commonly occur?
Ankle, wrist elbow and foot
Areas where skin adheres tightly to bone with little subcutaneous fat cushioning
What are two orthopaedic approaches to polytrauma patients?
Damage control orthopaedics: acute phase - life saving procedures, second phase - control haemorrhage, temp stabilisation of major fractures, manage soft tissue injuries, third phase - monitoring in ICU, fourth phase - definitive fracture fixation
Early total care: definitive fixation of all fractures in one trip to theatre
Why are hip fractures important?
Common Vulnerable patients High mortality Financial burden Social burden
Why do we try and operate early on hip fractures?
Pain relief
Allow early mobilisation and discharge
What is the alternative to surgery for a hip fracture and what problems does this cause?
Bed rest / traction: Pressure sores, Pneumonia, Thromboembolism, UTI, Death
What is the national hip fracture database best practice tariff criteria for hip fractures?
Admitted to orthopaedic ward within 4 hours
Operation within 36 hours from arrival to ED or time of diagnosis if inpatient to start of anaesthesia
Admitted under joint care of orthopaedic surgeon and geriatrician
Geriatrician perioperative assessment review within 72 hours
Mental state assessment - 2 AMT test scores, before and after surgery
Falls assessment
Osteoporosis treatment
Which 4Ms are important in the history of a patient with a suspected hip fracture?
Mechanism
Medical History
Mobility
AccoMModation
What examination findings/underlying problems will you particularly look for in a patient with a suspected hip fracture?
Respiratory: Pneumonia, COPD
Cardiovascular: Murmur, Dehydrated
Neuro: Stroke, AMTS
Musculoskeletal: NV intact, Open #
What bedside tests would you do for a patient with a suspected hip fracture?
ECG
Urine dip
BM
What bloods would you do for a patient with a suspected hip fracture?
FBC U and Es Clotting Group and Save Bone Profile
What imaging or special tests might you send a patient for who has a suspected hip fracture?
CXR
Echo
Skeletal x-rays
What interventions would you do for a patient with a suspected hip fracture?
IV fluids Analgesia: Beware opioids but do not undertreat pain, Immobilisation, Nerve block Laxatives DVT prophylaxis Antibiotics Surgery
What landmark determines whether a hip fracture is intra or extracapsular?
Intertrochanteric line
Proximal to this is intracapsular: subcapital, transcervical, basicervical
Extracapsular: intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric
If an intracapsular neck of femur fracture is un-displaced, what is your management?
Fixation
What are pros and cons of fixation in intracapsular NOF fractures?
Pros: quick, non invasive, preserves own hip
Cons: 25% risk AVN, 15% risk non union
How does a patient’s age and function affect your management in a displaced intracapsular neck of femur fracture?
Young (<55): fixation
Old and poor function: Hemiarthoplasty
Old and good function: total hip replacement
What are differences between hemiarthroplasty and total hip replacements in terms of pros and cons?
Hemi: Smaller operation, Acetabular wear
THR: Bigger procedure, Dislocation
What is your management for an intertrochanteric hip fracture?
Dynamic hip screw
What is your management for a subtrochanteric hip fracture?
Intermedullary nail
What line will be disrupted in an intracapsular neck of femur fracture?
Shentons line
Inferior border of superior pubic ramus along inferomedial border of neck of femur
What childhood condition could be indicated by disruption of shentons line with no history of trauma?
Developmental dysplasia of the hip
What is the garden classification of hip fractures?
I: incomplete or impacted bone injury with valgus angulation of distal component
II: complete but undisplaced
III: partially displaced
IV: complete, totally displaced
At what diameter is the indication for surgery on an asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm?
5.5cm and above
Which bone fracture can lead to fat embolism?
Long bone
Pelvic
What is the classic presentation of fat embolism?
Asymptomatic interval after long bone/pelvic fracture
24-48h later - pulmonary and neurological manifestations with petechial haemorrhages
Which analgesic produces prompt but short lasting analgesia, is less constipating than morphine but even at high doses is a less potent analgesic?
Pethidine
What are indications for pethidine use?
Moderate to severe pain
Obstetric analgesia
Peri operative analgesia
What local side effects may occur from a fentanyl patch?
Rash
Erythema
Itching
Which analgesic is a WHO class 3 analgesic which produces analgesia by an opioid effect but also an enhancement of serotonin and andrengeric pathways?
Tramadol
What are some side effects of Tramadol?
Nausea Hypotension Anaphylaxis Hallucinations Confusion
A 60 year old patient who has a history of exertional calf pain presents with acute abdominal pain which radiates through to his back. On examination his pulse is 110 BP 90/60. What is the immediate management?
IV access and fluids - urgent but limited, over treatment of ruptured AAA can cause more bleeding - keep BP around 100 systolic and save blood for operation
Stabilise his condition prior to confirmation of diagnosis/urgent laparotomy
A 74 year old man has undergone an elective open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. On the sixth post operative day he has not opened his bowels or passed flatus. On examination, he has a distended abdomen with no audible bowel sounds. What is likely going on?
Postoperative ileus
What exacerbates postoperative ileus?
Excessive bowel handling
Prolonged procedures
A 71 year old woman has undergone an elective right hemicolectomy for a Dukes B caecal tumour. On the fifth post operative day she has developed abdominal pain and a low grade pyrexia. On examination she is tender on the right side of the abdomen. Her white cell count has risen to 20. What is the likely diagnosis?
Anastomotic leak
What are reasons for anastomotic leaks?
Technical reasons: poor operative technique, ischaemia
Systemic reasons: hypotension, anaemia
If a renal calculus is confirmed in a patient, levels of what things should be checked?
Uric acid
Calcium
PTH
How might you confirm a diagnosis of a renal calculus?
IV pyelogram
CT KUB
What are important things to check in a patient with pyelonephritis?
Renal function - U and Es
USS to examine for dilated draining system which would require urgent nephrostomy for decompression
What can be a complication of mastitis which may result in a swinging fever?
Breast abscess
What is the common infective organism in mastitis/breast abscess?
Staphylococcus aureus
A 46 year old woman presents to clinic experiencing a painful right nipple. The retroareolar area is erythematous and there is nipple retraction. You also notice a thick blood stained green nipple discharge. On palpation the woman feels tenderness originating from behind the nipple. There is no lymphadenopathy. What is the likely diagnosis?
Duct ectasia
What is duct ectasia?
Widening of the major ducts just behind the nipple
What is a major differential diagnosis for duct ectasia which has caused nipple retraction?
Carcinoma
What is a galactocoele?
Smooth fluctuant lump in a lactating woman
Lactiferous duct becomes plugged with thick milk protein
How does trauma to the breast lead to fat necrosis?
Haemorrhage
Cystic degeneration
Calcification of cysts leading to firm lump tethered to skin
What are differentials for a femoral hernia?
Cyst of canal of nuck
Ectopic testis
Psoas abscess
Saphena varix
A 24 year old man attends ED with a cold and painful right forearm. He is an IVDU. The pain has been getting worse for 24h. He has injection site marks around his brachial artery. On examination the hand is cold and paralysed with ischaemic areas at the tips of the digits. The radial and ulnar pulses are palpable. What is the first line in management? Why?
Heparinisation
It is likely that they have embolised the digital arteries with bulking agent mixed with his heroin
Too distal for embolectomy so heparinisation whilst ensuring adequate hydration to prevent myoglobinuria
What is the gold standard test for a DVT?
Venogram
How do you treat DVT?
Anticoagulation
Initially heparin followed by warfarin due to the potential risk of embolisation
In which patients are paraumbilical hernias most commonly seen?
Obese, multiparous middle aged women
Where is the weakness in a paraumbilical hernia?
Linea alba
Why do patients with paraumbilical hernias often have nausea?
Traction on the omentum entangled in the hernia sac
Why should paraumbilical hernias be repaired surgically?
Narrow neck so significant risk of irreducibility and strangulation
What are important diagnoses to consider in a patient with pain in the right iliac fossa?
Acute appendicitis UTI Right renal calculi Crohns ileitis PID Ruptured ectopic pregnancy
A 76 year old man underwent emergency repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm five days ago. He has made a good recovery and is mobilising well. He suddenly develops diarrhoea which contains moderate amounts of fresh blood. What is the most important next diagnostic investigation?
CT angiography - aorta
Look for fistula between stent and bowel
What are cardinal features of critical ischaemia?
Ulceration
Gangrene
Foot pain at rest
What is Leriches syndrome? What are the symptoms?
Aortoiliac occlusive disease Blockage of abdominal aorta as it transitions into common iliac arteries Claudication of buttocks and thighs Absent or decreased femoral pulses Erectile dysfunction
What is Buergers disease? What is an important risk factor?
Thomboangitis obliterans
Segmental inflammation and thrombosis of small and medium sized arteries and veins of peripheral limbs
Heavy smoking risk factor
Presents as claudication in feet/hands at rest worse with cold/stress
Numbness, Raynauds, ulceration
What is the Fontaine classification for peripheral artery disease?
1: asymptomatic
2: intermittent claudication
3: ischaemic rest pain
4: ulceration/gangrene (critical ischaemia)
What are normal and abnormal results for ABPI?
Normal 1-1.2
Peripheral artery disease 0.5-0.9
Critical limb ischaemia <0.5
What imaging should you do for peripheral artery disease?
Colour duplex USS first line
MRA/CT angio if considering intervention
What are management options for peripheral artery disease?
Risk modification: quit smoking, treat HTN and hypercholesterolaemia, clopidogrel
Manage claudication: supervised exercise program to increase collateral blood flow, naftidrofuryl oxalate
Conservative fails/ severely affecting QOL/limb threatening: percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, surgical reconstruction
Amputation
In what time frame is surgery required to save the limb in acute limb ischaemia?
Emergency revascularisation surgery required in 4-6h
What may be some reasons for offering a woman a mastectomy rather than a wide local excision for treating breast cancer?
Multifocal tumour
Central tumour
Large lesion in small breast
DCIS >4cm
What are the criteria for offering post surgical radiotherapy to women with breast cancer?
Whole breast radiotherapy is recommended after a woman has had a wide-local excision to reduce recurrence risk by 2/3
After mastectomy radiotherapy offered for T3-T4 tumours and those with 4 or more positive axillary nodes
Which adjuvant hormone therapy is used in post menopausal women with breast cancer?
Aromatase inhibitors such as anastrozole
What are some important side effects of tamoxifen?
Increased risk of endometrial cancer, venous thromboembolism and menopausal symptoms
In which patients can Trastuzumab not be used? When is it used?
Cannot be used in those with Hx of heart disorders
Used to treat HER2 positive breast cancer
What should be done with regards to oestrogen containing contraceptive pills before elective surgery? What if this isn’t possible/hasn’t been done?
Preferably discontinued (adequate alternative arrangements made) 4 weeks before major elective surgery and all surgery to legs or surgery which involves prolonged immobilisation of a lower limb
Normally recommenced at first menses at least 2 weeks after full mobilisation
Progestogen-only contraceptive may be offered as an alternative and the oestrogen-containing contraceptive restarted after mobilisation, as above
If not possible, e.g. after trauma or patient admitted for elective procedure still on oestrogen-containing contraceptive, thromboprophylaxis (unfractionated or low molecular weight heparin and graduated compression hosiery) is advised
Which surgical patients are at increased risk of DVT?
Surgery greater than 90 minutes at any site
Greater than 60 minutes if procedure involves lower limbs/pelvis
Acute admissions with inflammatory process involving abdominal cavity
Expected significant reduction in mobility
Age over 60 years
Known malignancy
Thrombophilia
Previous thrombosis
BMI >30
Taking hormone replacement therapy or contraceptive pill
Varicose veins with phlebitis
What are options for mechanical thromboprophylaxis in surgical patients?
Early ambulation after surgery is cheap and is effective
Compression stockings (contra -indicated in peripheral arterial disease)
Intermittent pneumatic compression devices
Foot impulse devices
How can you reverse the effects of unfractioned heparin?
Protamine sulphate
What is Dabigatran?
Orally administered direct thrombin inhibitor
What are medical indications for circumcision?
Phimosis
Recurrent balanitis
Balanitis xerotica obliterans
Paraphimosis
What are benefits of circumcision?
Reduces risk of penile cancer
Reduces risk of UTI
Reduces risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections including HIV
Which types of renal stones are radio-lucent and therefore might not show up on an X-ray?
Urate stones
Cystine stones- semi opaque
Xanthine stones
Which infections predispose to the formation of staghorn calculi?
Ureaplasma urealyticum and Proteus infections
What is a staghorn calculi?
In renal pelvis and extend into at least 2 calyces
The mother of a 2-month-old boy comes to surgery as she has noticed a soft lump in his right groin area. There is no antenatal or postnatal history of note. He is breast feeding well and is opening his bowels regularly. On examination you note a 1 cm swelling in the right inguinal region which is reducible and disappears on laying him flat. Scrotal examination is normal. What is the most appropriate action?
Refer to paediatric surgery for repair due to risk of incarceration
What is a spigelian hernia?
Lateral ventral hernia
Rare and seen in older patients
A hernia through the spigelian fascia (aponeurotic layer between rectus abdominis muscle medially and semilunar line laterally)
What is a richter hernia?
A rare type of hernia where only the antimesenteric border of the bowel herniates through the fascial defect