Surgery 9 Flashcards
Which nerves may be damaged in a carotid endarterectomy?
Recurrent laryngeal nerve
Hypoglossal nerve
What is the difference between true leg length and apparent leg length?
True: ASIS to medial malleolus
Apparent: umbilicus to medial malleolus
NOTE: Galeazzi test checks whether the shortening is due to tibial or femoral shortening
List some causes of true leg shortening.
Fracture (e.g. NOF) Hip dislocation Growth disturbance (e.g. fracture, osteomyelitis) Surgery (e.g. THR) SUFE Perthes' disease
NOTE: apparent shortening maybe caused by scoliosis
List some causes of small bowel obstruction
Adhesions Hernia Paralytic ileus Faeces Foreign body Gallstone ileus Benign stricture Malignant stricture Drugs (e.g. TCA)
Outline the management of ACL rupture.
CONSERVATIVE: rest, physio to strengthen quads/hamstrings
SURGICAL: autograft repair (using semitendinosus, gracilis or patella tendon), tendon is threaded through heads of tibia and femur and held using screws
List some complications of open fractures.
Clostridium perfringens (gas gangrene) Hypovolaemic shock Neurovascular compromise Compartment syndrome Fat embolism
Which classification system is used for open fractures?
Gustillo-Anderson classification
1 - wound < 1 cm in length
2 - wound > 1 cm with minimal soft tissue damage
3 - extensive soft tissue damage
NOTE: compound fracture = open fracture
List some complications of total parenteral nutrition.
Line-related: pneumothorax, arrhythmia, line sepsis, thrombosis
Feed-related: villous atrophy, electrolyte disturbance (refeeding syndrome), hyperglycaemia, vitamin and mineral deficiencies
In general terms, how does the management of intracapsular fractures differ from extracapsular fractures?
INTRAcapsular: blood supply is likely to be interrupted so the head of the femur needs to be replaced (unless it is undisplaced)
EXTRAcapsular: blood supply less likely to be interrupted so it can be fixed (DHS) rather than replaced
Outline the post-operative VTE prophylaxis that is offered for patients undergoing hip and knee replacements.
THR: LMWH 10 days + aspirin 75/150 mg 28 days OR LMWH for 28 days OR Rivaroxaban
TKR: aspirin 75/150 mg for 14 days OR LMWH for 14 days OR Rivaroxaban
NOTE: for fragility fractures, continue LMWH or fondaparinux until no longer has significant reduced mobility
Which arteries supply blood to the head of the femur?
Retinacular vessels which are a branch of the medial and lateral circumflex femoral arteries which are branches of the profunda femoris
Profunda femoris branches off the femoral artery, which comes from the external iliac artery
IMPORTANT: medial circumflex is more important for NOF than lateral
List some differentials for monoarthritis.
Septic arthritis Crystal (gout, pseudogout) Trauma Haemarthrosis Reactive Psoriatic arthritis
List some indications for using a central line.
Central administration of medication (vasopressors, inotropes, chemotherapy)
TPN
Access for extra-corporeal circuit (haemodialysis)
Monitoring central venous pressure
NOTE: the tip should be seen at the cavo-atrial junction (2 vertebrae down from the carina). Insertion confirmed with CXR.
List some interventions that use Seldinger technique.
Central venous access
Arterial access (angiography)
Intra-abdominal/biliary/ureteric drainage
PEG insertion
List some indications for a chest drain.
Pneumothorax
Pleural effusion
Haemothorax
Post-surgical (cardiac, thoracic, oesophageal)
NOTE: in pneumothorax the tube should point upwards, in pleural effusion it should point downwards
List some indications for using surgical drains.
Drain potential space post-surgery
Removal of harmful fluid (blood, pus, bile)
Detection of bleeding or leakage (anastomosis)
List some complications associated with surgical drains.
Ascending infection Foreign body reaction (fibrosis/granulation) Migration Obstruction/kinking Fistulation
What CXR features would suggest that an NG tube is sited correctly?
Does it follow the path of the oesophagus?
Does it bisect the carina or bronchi?
Does it cross the diaphragm in the middle?
Is the tip clearly visible below the left hemidiaphragm?
What is the main indication for using a feeding NG tube?
Short or medium-term feeding (4-6 weeks) provided the patient has a functional GI tract (major surgery, malnutrition, coma, dysphagia)
Can also be used for administration of drugs/contrast in patients with an unsafe swallow
List some complications of NG tubes.
Aspiration pneumonia (due to incorrect position) Pneumothorax Malposition in GI tract Obstruction/knotting/kinking Reflux oesophagitis Gastritis Visceral perforation