Surgery: General Flashcards
Ddx for Young Female RIF Pain
GI: appendicitis, mesenteric adenitis, terminal ileitis, constipation, IBS
GU: ureteric calculus + UTI
Gyn: ectopic preg, tubo-ovarian pathology abscess/cyst/torsion, endometriosis, PID, mittelschmerz
Ddx of Appendicitis
GI: mesenteric adenitis, terminal ileitis, caecal diverticulitis, Meckel’s diverticulum
GU: testicular torsion, ureteric calculus, UTI
Gyn: ectopic preg, tubo-ovarian pathology abscess/cyst/torsion, endometriosis, PID, mittelschmerz
Ddx of Terminal Ileitis
Inflammation: CD + backwash ileitis
Infection: yersinia, salmonella, c difficile, mycobacterium
Malignancy: adenocarcinoma, metastatic, lymphoma, carcinoid
Plus spondyloarthropathies + vasculitides
RFs for PONV
Patient: female, younger, non-smoker, prev ep, motion sickness
Surgical: prolonged, abdo lap, intracranial, middle ear, squint, gynae, poor pain control after
Anaesthetic: prolonged, intraop bleed, inhalational agents, overuse of bag and mask ventilation, spinal, opioids
Alternative causes of PONV
Infection, GI (ileus or obstrc), metabolic (hyperCa, uraemia, DKA), meds, raised ICP, anxiety
Mx of PONV
Prophylactic - antiemetics, dex at induction, anaesthetic measures
Conservative - adequate fluids, adequate analgesia, ensure no obstrc
Pharmaceutical - multimodal therapy
The red flag condition for N+V?
Incarcerated Hernia
The red flag conditions for epigastric pain? (2)
MI + Leaking AAA (also flank pain)
The red flag condition for RUQ pain?
RLL Pneumonia
The red flag condition for groin pain?
Torted Testes
The red flag conditions for RIF pain? (2)
Large bowel obstrc + ruptured ectopic preg (also LIF pain)
What would pain out of proportion to clinical findings suggest?
Ischaemic Bowel
What is the most common acute abdo dx worldwide?
Appendicitis
Antiemetics if impaired gastric emptying
Metoclopramide or Domperidone
Antiemetic if suspected obstrc
Hyoscine
Antiemetic if metabolic
Metoclopramide
Antiemetics if opioid induced
Ondansetron or Cyclizine
What is involved in the pre-op examination?
General - identify any underlying undx pathology
Airway - predict difficulty of intubation
Outline the ASA classification
I - normal healthy pt
II - mild systemic disease: current smoker, preg, BMI 30-40
III - severe systemic disease: BMI >40
IV - above + constant threat to life
V - moribund + won’t survive w/o op
What does the ASA grade correlate with?
Risk of post op comps and absolute mortality
What is included in the airway examination?
Any obv facial abnormalities e.g. retrognathia
Degree of mouth opening, dentition and loose teeth, Mallampati classification
Neck ROM and distance b/w thyroid cartilage and chin <6.5cm difficult intubation
The pre-op drug regime
To stop - OCP/HRT, hypoglycaemics, clopidogrel, warfarin
To alter - S/C insulin + long term steroids
To start - LMWH, TED stockings, abx
CIs for NG Tube
Absolute - mid face trauma + recent nasal surgery
Relative - coag abnormalities, recent alkaline ingestion, oesophageal varices/strictures
How do you measure the length of a NG tube?
Tip of nose, to earlobe, to bottom of xiphoid process
NG Tube Insertion Tips
Agree signal to stop procedure
Inspect for deviated septum and visible polyps
Aim the tube horizontally along the nasal cavity floor
Advance with each swallow and ask pt to tuck chin
What pH indicates gastric acid?
<5.5
Which veins can you insert a central venous catheter? (3)
Internal jugular, subclavian, femoral
Why might a pt need a CVC? (3)
Meds that require administration centrally: vasopressors, inotropes, TPN, chemo
Access to extracorporeal circuit for haemodialysis
To monitor central venous pressure
How long does central venous access give you?
CVC - days to wks
PICC - wks to mnths
Tunnelled - mnths to yrs
What are the comps of central venous access?
Immediate: haemorrhage, pneumothorax, arterial puncture, arrhythmias, cardiac tamponade, air embolism
Delayed: venous stenosis, thrombosis, erosion of vessel, line fracture, catheter colonisation, line related sepsis
What is a common indication for a PICC line?
Following an oesophagectomy or Whipple’s procedure for chemo
They’re sited by specialist nurses, checked in place by CXR, only the radiologist or ICU consultant can approve placing
What are the borders of the triangle of safety for chest drain insertion?
Lateral edges of pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi, apex of axilla, fifth intercostal space
Absorbable Sutures
Vicryl, monocryl, PDS
Non-Absorbable Sutures
Nylon, prolene, silk
The different ways of giving oxygen therapy
Nasal Cannula - max 4L/min and can deliver 25-35% FiO2
Face Mask - max 10L/min and can deliver 25-60% FiO2
Non Rebreathe - max 15L/min and can deliver 80-85% FiO2
Level 2 Care - high flow nasal cannula and NIV
Level 3 Care - mechanical ventilation
What is the dual blood supply of the liver?
70% Portal Vein + 30% Hepatic Artery
What joins to form the portal vein?
NB: the PV has NO valves
Splenic + Superior Mesenteric
What’s the most common site of rupture in Boerhaave syndrome?
Lower 1/3 in the left posterolateral distal oesophagus
What are the main causes of Boerhaave syndrome? (3)
Alcoholics, GORD, iatrogenic
Mackler Triad
Vomiting, lower chest pain, surgical emphysema
Hamman Sign
O/e mediastinal crunch synchronous w the heartbeat
Ix for Boerhaaves
CXR - pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, pleural effusion
Oesophagram - extraversion of contrast material
CT w Gastrografin - identify the site of perforation
Which is the rough estimate b/w litres per minute and approximate FiO2?
It inc in increments of 4% for every LPM given:
1 - 24% 2 - 28% 3 - 32% 4 - 36% 5 - 40% 6 - 44% 7 - 48% 8 - 52% 9 - 56% 10 - 60%
Definition of definitive airway
A tube in the trachea w a cuff e.g. ET tube or a tracheostomy
What common cancers met to bone?
Men - prostate - sclerotic bone mets
Women - breast - lytic bone mets
Which hernia is most likely to strangulate?
Femoral > Inguinal
How do you know the bag + valve mask is working? (3)
The chest is rising, the mask is misting, end tidal CO2
Why is CO2 used during laparoscopy? (3)
Inert
Soluble
Inflammable
How does gastric ca typically present?
Dyspepsia + Anaemia
What are the causes of a post op fever?
The 5W’s: wind, water, wound, walking, wonder drugs ie pneumonia, UTI, infection at incision organ blood, PE/DVT, drugs/transfusion
How do you prep someone for surgery as an F1?
- NBM + Fluids
- Drugs: Allergies, Bleeding Risk, VTE, Abx
- Airway Difficulty
What is the surg safety checklist before induction of anaesthesia? (3)
Pt confirmed identity, site, procedure + given consent
The site is marked, anaesth machine + meds checked, pt has pulse ox on
Any allergies recorded, risk of blood loss, assessed difficulty of airway
What is the surg safety checklist before skin incision? (5)
Staff introductions, confirm pt name site procedure, abx prophylaxis, anticipated critical events, essential imaging displayed
Which xray view shows the occiput?
Towne’s
What is done during the primary survey?
Intubation and ventilation, two large bore cannulas (14G), bloods (FBC, U&Es, clotting, glucose, crossmatch), IV fluid, monitoring (pulse, BP, oximetry, RR), ECG, arrange plain films
What is done during the secondary survey?
Full examination, medical history, NGT and urinary catheter (unless contraindicated), further imaging
The eye component of GCS
Spontaneous opening – 4
To speech – 3
To pain – 2
No response – 1
The verbal component of GCS
Orientated response – 5
Confused conversation – 4
Inappropriate words – 3
Incomprehensible sounds – 2
No response to pain – 1
The motor component of GCS
Obeys commands – 6
Localises pain – 5
Normal flexion to pain (withdrawal) – 4
Abnormal flexion to pain (decorticate i.e. flexes upper extends lower) – 3
Extends all to pain – 2
No response to pain – 1
What is the presence of a fixed dilated pupil highly suggestive of?
Raised ICP requiring urgent neurosurgical intervention
How do chronic SDH often px?
A vague history of sx such as fluctuating conciousness, headache, personality change & confusion
RFs for SDH
Elderly, susceptible to falls (alcoholics and epileptics), on long term anticoag
SDH shape on CT
Crescent
EDH shape on CT
Biconvex
Where does the blood tend to extend along in SDH?
Falciform ligament & tentorium cerebelli
What are the clinical signs of hydrocephalus? (5)
Inc head circumference, open ant fontanelle will bulge and become tense, failure of upward gaze, dilated scalp veins, bradycardia
Why do pts w hydrocephalus px w failure of upward gaze?
Compression of the superior colliculus of the midbrain
Aetiology of obstrc and non-obstrc hydrocephalus
Obstrc: tumour, intraventricular/subarachnoid haemorrhage, aqueduct stenosis
Non-Obstrc: meningitis, post-haemorrhagic, choroid plexus tumour
What is the triad of sx for normal pressure non-obstrc hydrocephalus?
Dementia, incontinence, disturbed gait
Typical subdural haematoma pt
Elderly alcoholic on anticoag w hx of head injury and insidious onset of fluctuating confusion and dec consciousness
When does diffuse axonal injury occur?
When the head is rapidly ac/decelerated
Imaging: Extradural vs Subdural
convEX=EXtradural
Cushings triad of raised ICP
HTN, bradycardia, irregular respirations
When should you CT head immediately following head injury?
GCS <13 on initial ass or <15 at 2hrs
Suspected open/depressed skull # or any sign of basal skull #
Post-traumatic seizure or focal neuro deficit
> 1 episode of vomiting
What are the signs of basal skull #? (4)
Panda eyes, CSF leakage from nose/ear, Battle’s sign, haemotympanum
When should you CT head within 8hrs following head injury?
If they’re on warfarin OR amnesia/LOC since injury who are 65+yrs, hx of clotting disorders, dangerous mech of injury, >30mins retrograde amnesia
What is the minimum cerebral perfusion pressure in adults + children?
Adults: 70mmHg | Children: 40-70mmHg
Oculomotor nerve lesion (3)
Down and out eye, loss of accommodation, pupillary dilation
Ddx of bilaterally constricted eyes (3)
Opiates, pontine lesions, metabolic encephalopathy
What findings in the CSF would prove SAH?
Xanthochromia w N/raised opening pressure
What are causes of spontaneous SAH? (3)
Intracranial aneurysm, AV malformation, pituitary apoplexy
What conditions are a/w berry aneurysms? (3)
PCKD, Ehlers-Danlos, Coarctation of the Aorta
What should you do as soon as SAH is confirmed?
Refer to neurosurgery, identify cause w CT intracranial angiogram +/- catheter angiogram, keep on bed rest w well controlled BP
Tx for spontaneous SAH caused by intracranial aneurysm
Ideally within 24hrs
Majority: coil by interventional neuroradiologist
Minority: craniotomy and clipping by neurosurgeon
Comps of aneurysmal SAH (5)
Rebleeding, vasospasm, hypoNa, seizures, hydrocephalus
How do you prevent vasospasm?
21d course of nimodipine
How do you confirm SAH?
CT -> if neg perform LP @ 12hrs to distinguish b/w a traumatic tap
Which views are taken during mammograms?
Oblique + Craniocaudal
At which age do you perform a mammogram
> 40y
What are the mammographic features of breast ca
Ill-defined or spiculated mass Parenchymal distortion Overlying skin thickening Malignant calcifications Enlarged axillary lymph nodes
What are the US features of breast ca
Ill-defined usually hypoechoic mass
Distal acoustic shadowing
Surrounding halo
Abnormal axillary nodes
What are US useful for distinguishing b/w?
Solid vs cystic lump
If breast US confirms a ca where else should you US?
The axilla to help plan tx
If the mammogram and US are equivocal what method of imaging should you perform next?
MRI
Outline the components of triple assessment
Hx and exam, imaging (US/mammography), histology (core biopsy/FNA/VAM)
Why are core biopsies often preferred to FNA?
They provide more detail inc ER, PR and HER2 status
How would you stage breast ca?
If pt has sx perform FBC, U&Es, LFTs, bone profile & if any are abnormal CXR, liver US, bone scan
Breast ca tx
If fit surgery, if not primary endo therapy, if >3cm neo-adjuvant chemo
Factors to consider when planning surgery
Pts choice, mass size relative to breast size, position
What is the most likely outcome if the tumour is behind the nipple?
Mastectomy
The most common histological subtype
Invasive ductal carcinoma
Ratio of invasive ductal:invasive lobular prevalence
17:3
Outline the NHS breast screening programme
Mammogram every 3yrs b/w 50-70y
Typically 4/100 will need further testing with 1/100 being diagnosed w cancer
When would you consider radiotherapy following mastectomy?
High risk of local recurrence e.g. involved margins, vascular/dermal invasion, heavily node positive
RFs for Breast Cancer
Age, FHx, BRCA, Prev, Oestrogen: nulliparity, first preg >30yrs, early menarche, late menopause, HRT, obesity
Mx of Mastitis
Encourage to continue breastfeeding; if sys unwell, nipple fissure, not improving after 12-24hrs start 2w flucloxacillin and continue feeding; if abscess incise and drain
What conditions does ANDI encompass?
Fibroadenosis
Cyst Formation
Epitheliosis
Papillomatosis
When do you perform a mastectomy > wide local excision for DCIS?
> 4cm
What is the Nottingham Prognostic Index?
(Tumour Size x 0.2) + LN Score + Grade Score = NPI
What is the most common type of breast cancer?
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Why do we not routinely screen pts under 40?
Mammography has a red sensitivity in denser breast tissue
When is MRI the ix of choice?
Pts w implants
Plus: in younger pts who might have a strong fhx and as second line imaging for breast masses
Ddx for Solid Breast Mass
Localised benign area, carcinoma, cyst, fibroadenoma, periductal mastitis, duct ectasia, abscess
Which subtype of fibroadenomas can recur and must be excised?
Phyllodes
Which age group are breast cysts most common?
Perimenopausal
Ddx of Spiculated Mass
Cancer + Radial Scar
What age group can aromatase inhibitors be used for?
Post-Menopausal
At what size should you core biopsy a fibroadenoma?
> 4cm
What scan should be performed before starting a pt on an aromatase inhibitor?
DEXA
Who should undergo a 2wk referral?
Aged >=30 who have an unexplained breast lump with or w/o pain and consider in those w an unexplained lump in the axilla
Aged >=50 who have unilateral nipple sx
Ddx of Bloody Discharge
Carcinoma + Intraductal Papilloma
Ddx of Duct Ectasia
Carcinoma + Periductal Mastitis
Mx of Mastitis
The first line is to continue breastfeeding but if sys unwell, nipple fissure, sx not improving after 12-24hrs add flucloxacillin 10-14d
Tx of Breast Abscess
Incision + Drainage
How does Paget’s disease of the breast present?
An eczematoid change ie reddening and thickening of the nipple a/w underlying breast cancer
What are the three branches of the coeliac axis?
Left Gastric, Hepatic, Splenic
Where does the right gastric artery come from?
Hepatic
What are the three branches of the superior mesenteric artery?
Right Colic, Ileocolic, Middle Colic
What does the ileocolic artery supply?
Terminal Ileum, Caecum, Appendix
What are the three branches of the inferior mesenteric artery?
Left Colic, Sigmoid, Superior Rectal
Where are the watershed areas?
The second part of the duodenum: junction of the coeliac + SMA
The splenic flexure: junction of the superior + inferior mesenteric arteries
You either leave/take it you don’t anastomose around it
How many pple have a right colic artery?
5-10%
What is the indication for a right hemicolectomy?
Cancer in caecum, ascending colon, hepatic flexure
Why is knowledge of the arterial supply so important?
You require healthy ends to form an anastomosis + aids lymphadenectomy
Stage histologically, prognostic, chemo requirements
Why do you remove the blood vessels during GI surgery?
Lymphadenectomy
Sigmoid Colectomy vs Hartmann’s
Sigmoid Colectomy: only treats benign disease eg diverticular disease or strictures
Ant Resection: tx cancer in the sigmoid and forming a colorectal anastomosis
Hartmann’s: emergency Bowel obstrc pathology has to be removed and close off the distal sigmoid/rectum and bring out an end stoma Can be done anywhere along the colon \+/- reversible in the future
Why is a sigmoid colectomy NOT a cancer operation?
It doesn’t harvest every lymph node from the originating vessel but only the sigmoid artery
Anterior Resection vs APER
AR: leaves a variable length of rectum and the anus which you can anastomose
APER: removes rectum + anus for when the tumour is on or invading the anal sphincter
What are the requirements for an anterior resection?
You have to have a 1cm clearance of healthy bowel b/w tumour and anal sphincter so you can anastomose
What sx do pts complain of if the tumour is low lying?
Incontinence, urgency, bleed + the feeling of sitting on something if it’s that low
How does the lower part of rectum and anus survive following an AR?
It has a dual blood supply: despite the superior rectal artery being removed it still has the inferior rectal artery coming from the pudendal artery
Where are the majority of colorectal cancers?
- Rectum
- Sigmoid
- Caecum
If you have a splenic flexure tumour you can not make an anastomsis here after
T
What blood supply is removed during a left hemicolectomy?
Left Colic
Left branch of middle colic
Extended R Hemi > L Hemi
Ileocolic, right colic, whole middle colic, left colic
Anastomose ileum to sigmoid colon
Better oncologically
Blood supply to small-large bowel anastomosis is better than large-large
What blood supply is removed during a right hemicolectomy?
Right Colic
Ileocolic
Right branch of middle colic
What anastomosis do we do following a right hemicolectomy?
Side to side stapled small bowel to transverse colon
What artery do you take during an AR or an APER?
Inf Mesenteric Artery
Why is a left hemi such a rare operation?
The Watershed Area + the difficulty of anastomosing the transverse colon