Surgery - General Surgery Flashcards
define a fistula
an abnormal connection between 2 epithelial surfaces
what does a “mercedes benz” scar on the abdomen indicate?
liver transplant
what does a hockey stick scar indicate?
renal transplant
at which 3 stages is the surgical safety checklist carried out?
NAME?
what is the ASA grade?
a scoring system to classify the physical status of a patient for anaesthesia
indications for a pre-op ECG?
- possible CVD| - aged >65
how long should the patient have been nil by mouth for pre-surgery
6 hours of no food and 2 hours of no fluids (true NBM)
pre-op management of pts on warfarin?
NAME?
when should contraception with oestrogen in it be stopped pre-op?
4 weeks before surgery
peri-op management of pts on long term steroids?
- additional IV hydrocortisone at induction| - double normal steroid dose post-op
drugs to be stopped pre-op?
NAME?
diabetes drugs and their complications peri-op?
NAME?
management of insulin peri-op?
- long acting: reduce dose- short acting: stop - start “sliding scale”
what is a “sliding scale”?
variable rate insulin infusion along with glucose, NaCl and K+ infusions
what are the options for VTE prophylaxis?
NAME?
what are the 4 components of having the capacity to make a decision?
NAME?
what is a lasting power of attorney (LPA)?
when a person legally nominates someone to make decisions on their behalf IF they lack mental capacity
in which settings is a deprivation of liberty safeguards (DoLS) valid? what does this mean?
NAME?
what are the 4 types of consent form?
- 1: pt consenting - 2: parent consenting on behalf of child- 3: pt will not lose consciousness for the procedure- 4: pt lacks capacity
NSAIDs are contraindicated in….
NAME?
what is patient controlled analgesia (PCA)?
NAME?
examples of strong opiates?
NAME?
risk factors for post-op nausea and vomiting (PONV)?
NAME?
which anti-emetics can be used prophylactically post-op?
NAME?
MOA of ondansetron? it should be avoided in….
- serotonin receptor antagonist| - pts at risk of long QT interval
dexamethasone drug class? it should be used with caution in…
- corticosteroid| - diabetes, immunocompromised pts
MOA of cyclizine? it should be used with caution in….
- histamine receptor antagonist| - HF, elderly
which antiemetics can be used for episodes of PONV?
NAME?
MOA of prochloperazine? it must be avoided in…
- dopamine receptor antagonist| - parkinson’s!!!!
non-drug management of PONV?
pressure on P6 acupuncture point of wrist
3 methods of enteral feeding?
NAME?
what is total parenteral nutrition (TPN)?
- IV infusion of all nutrients| - done via central line
potential post-op complications?
NAME?
what is a “third space”? give some examples
- space in body where there shouldn’t be any fluid- peritoneal cavity (ascites)- pleural cavity (pleural effusion)- pericardial cavity (pericardial effusion)- joints (effusion)
which pts require fluid restriction?
- HF- CKD- hyponatraemia (low Na+)
examples of insensible fluid loss?
NAME?
signs of hypovolaemia?
- systolic BP <100- HR >90- CRT >2 secs- RR >20- cold peripheries- dry mucous mems, loss of skin turgor, sunken eyes- reduced body weight - reduced UO
signs of fluid overload?
NAME?
signs O/E of pulmonary oedema?
NAME?
what are the 3 main indications for IV fluids?
NAME?
indications for fluid resuscitation?
- sepsis| - hypotension
examples of indications for fluid replacement?
- vomiting| - diarrhoea
example of indication for maintenance fluids?
NBM due to bowel obstruction
what are the 2 types of IV fluid?
- crystalloid| - colloid
examples of crystalloid fluids?
- 0.9% NaCl (normal saline)- 5% dextrose- hartmann’s solution - plasma-lyte 148
which condition benefits from being given human albumin solution?
decompensated liver disease
what type of fluid is used in resuscitation? give some examples
isotonic ones:- 0.9% saline - hartmann’s solution- plasma-lyte 148
how is fluid resuscitation carried out?
- A-E assessment to find out fluid status- initial 500ml fluid bolus over 15 mins (stat)- repeat A-E assessment - repeat fluid bolus if necessary- seek expert help if no response after 2L of fluid
which fluids can never be infused rapidly?
- any containing high K+ conc| - risk of arrhythmia or cardiac arrest
principles of using maintenance fluids?
NAME?
examples of when maintenance fluids would be needed?
negative fluid balance unable to take PO fluids:- NBM waiting for surgery- bowel obstruction
what should be included in maintenance fluids?
- 25-30ml / kg / day water- 1 mmol / kg / day Na+, K+ and Cl- - 50-100g / day glucose
why is glucose included in maintenance fluids?
- to prevent ketosis| - NOT to meet nutritional needs
how is overprescribing of maintenance fluids in obese patients prevented?
use ideal body weight instead of BMI
monitoring requirements of maintenance fluids?
to be done at least daily: - fluid status assessment - look at fluid balance chart- UEs
in which patient groups should maintenance fluids be prescribed with caution?
NAME?
differentials for generalised abdominal pain?
NAME?
differentials for RUQ pain?
NAME?
differentials for epigastric pain?
NAME?
differentials for central abdominal pain?
NAME?
differentials for RIF pain?
- appendicitis (later)- ectopic pregnancy- ruptured ovarian cyst- ovarian torsion- meckel’s diverticulitis
differentials for LIF pain?
NAME?
differentials for suprapubic pain?
NAME?
differentials for loin to groin pain?
NAME?
differentials for testicular pain?
- testicular torsion| - epididymo-orchitis
signs of peritonitis?
NAME?
how can peritonitis be classified?
NAME?
prognosis in SBP?
poor
management of the acute abdomen patient?
NAME?
pre-surgical management of acute abdomen?
NAME?
peak incidence of appendicitis?
- ages 10-20| - less common in young children and >50s
where is the appendix found?
- arises from caecum| - where the 3 teniae coli meet (longitudinal colon muscles)
what happens when the appendix ruptures?
NAME?
presentation of appendicitis?
- abdo pain which starts off central, then moves to RIF within 24h- tenderness at mcburney’s point - anorexia, N+V- low-grade fever- rovsing’s sign- guarding - rebound tenderness- tender to percuss
where is mcburney’s point
1/3 of the way from the ASIS to the umbilicus
describe rovsing’s sign. where is this seen?
- palpating the LIF causes pain in the RIF| - appendicitis
how is appendicitis diagnosed?
NAME?
key differentials for appendicitis?
- ectopic pregnancy (check bHCG)- ovarian cysts- meckel’s diverticulum - mesenteric adenitis
describe meckel’s diverticulum. which complications could it cause?
NAME?
what is mesenteric adenitis? which conditions is it associated with?
NAME?
what causes an appendix mass?
- when the omentum sticks to the inflamed appendix| - forms mass in RIF
management of appendicitis?
NAME?
advantages of laparoscopic surgery over open surgery for appendicitis?
- fewer risks| - faster recovery
complications of appendicectomy?
NAME?
which type of bowel obstruction is more common, small or large?
small
how does bowel obstruction result in fluid loss? what determines the severity of this?
- colon should be absorbing fluid but the fluid cannot reach it because of blockage- results in “third spacing”- higher up the obstruction, the worse the third spacing
3 main causes of bowel obstruction?
NAME?
less common causes of bowel obstruction?
- volvulus (large bowel)- diverticular disease- strictures secondary to Crohn’s- intusussception
causes of adhesions?
NAME?
presentation of bowel obstruction?
- green, bilious vomiting- abdo distension- diffuse abdo pain- obstipation- “tinkling” bowel sounds in early stages
initial investigation of choice and findings in bowel obstruction?
NAME?
complications of bowel obstruction?
NAME?
findings on bloods in bowel obstruction?
NAME?
initial management of a bowel obstruction?
NAME?
investigations for bowel obstruction?
NAME?
surgical management of bowel obstruction?
- exploratory surgery if cause unclearotherwise depends on cause:- adhesiolysis- hernia repair- emergency resection - stent to move tumour out of way if Ca cause
pathophysiology of ileus?
temporary cessation of peristalsis in the small bowel
causes of ileus?
NAME?
which electrolyte imbalances could cause ileus?
- hypokalaemia| - hyponatraemia
commonest time to have ileus? prognosis?
- straight after abdo surgery| - self-resolves within a few days
presentation of ileus?
literally identical to that of BO: - green, bilious vomiting- abdo distension- diffuse abdo pain- obstipation- ABSENT bowel sounds instead of tinkling
management of ileus?
NAME?
pathophysiology of volvulus?
- bowel twists around on itself and surrounding mesentery| - causes closed-loop obstruction