Surgical Complications Flashcards
List 15 Postoperative complications
- Pain
- Swelling
- Trismus/TMD
- Hemorrhage
- Alveolar Osteitis/Dry Socket
- Wound dehiscence
- Infection
- Paresthesia
- Ecchymosis
- Jaw Fracture
- Alveolar bone fracture
- Aspiration or swallowing tooth or instrument
- Injury to adjacent teeth
- Sinus exposure
- Wrong tooth extracted
What are 4 General principles to consider with all surgery?
- Anticipate possible or likely complications
- Get informed consent
- Avoidance
- Empathy
When should meds be started?
B/f local anesthesia wears off
Should every bit of pain be treated with a narcotic?
No. choose drug appropriate for level of pain expected and don’t overprescribe either type or amount of drug
What is a non-medicine way to Control Post-operative swelling?
Ice intermittently 20 min on, 20 min off for first 24-48 hrs, moist heat thereafter
What is a medicine way to control post-operative swelling?
IV or IM steroids preoperatively (Decadron 8 mg)
Is a certain amount of trismus expected following more extensive surgery due to inflammation of the muscles of mastication?
Yes
What 2 things can be given for the management of post-operative trismus?
Moist heat and anti-inflammatory meds
What type of trismus should arouse suspicion post-operatively?
Delayed onset
What is the term for localized disintegration and loss of blood clot?
Dry Socket (Alveolar osteitis)
What gender Alveolitis or Localized Osteitis is more common in?
Females, especially if on oral contraceptives
What is a habit that increases risk for Alveolitis or localized osteitis?
Smoking
Can surgical trauma and the length of the procedure increase the risk of alveolitis or localized osteitis?
Yes
What location in head is where alveolitis or localized osteitis is more common?
Posterior mandible, especially 3rd molars
Pt complains of dull aching pain, esp 3-5 days after extraction that feels like a toothache. Clinically the ext site has no blood clot, or the blood clot looks necrotic, but there are NO SIGNS OF INFECTION(fever, increasing edema, drainage), and there may be a fetid odor. What is it?
Dry socket
How do you treat a dry socket?
- X-ray and check clinically for foreign body
- Give topical or local anesthetic
- Irrigate socket with saline
- Place anodyne sedative dressing
- Prescribe analgesics
- Follow up in 48 hrs and repeat until patient is comfortable
What 3 things can be used for dry socket dressings?
- Paste
- Gelfoam + Medication
- Strip Gauze + Medication
What are 5 commonly used medications in the dry socket?
- Eugenol
- Benzocaine
- Balsam of Peru
- Guaicol
- Chlorobutanol
What instructions should be given to the patient if they call complaining of post-operative bleeding?
If you have determined that the bleeding is not severe, instruct patient to place gauze directly over site (tea bag or gauze w/ hydrogen peroxide can help) and sit semireclined and undisturbed 45 mins. Follow up in 45 -60 mins.