Surgical emergencies Flashcards
investigations for peritonitis
- examination = rebound tenderness, widespread abdo pain, guarding, signs of sepsis
- bedside:
> bloods = FBC, U+E, LFT, CRP, lactate, amylase (rises in perforation), ABG, coagulation screen, G+S, blood culture
> ascitic tap - imaging: EXR, CT abdo + contrast
management for peritonitis
- ABCDE
- Aggressive fluid resuscitation + catheter
- Antibiotics (CEFUROXIME + METRONIDAZOLE)
- Nil by mouth
- Analgesia
- Antiemetic
- Oxygen
URGENT LAPAROTOMY = PERITONEAL LAVAGE +/- RESECTION
investigations for appendicitis
- examination = umbilical to McBurney’s point pain, may be rebound tenderness, guarding, mass in RIF, Rosvig’s sign (RIF pain on palpation of LIF)
- bedside:
> bloods = FBC, U+E, LFT, CRP, lactate, coagulation screen, G+S, blood culture - imaging: abdo USS, CT abdo
management of appendicitis
- ABCDE
- Fluid resuscitation + catheter
- Antibiotics (CO-AMOXICLAV)
- Nil by mouth
- Analgesia
- Antiemetic
LAPAROSCOPIC APPENDICECTOMY
causes of bowel perforation
DIRECT OBSTRUCTION OF BLOOD FLOW • Volvulus • Strangulated Hernia • Mesenteric ischaemia/infarction TISSUE TENSION OBSTRUCTS BLOOD FLOW • Bowel obstruction • Cholecystitis • Appendicitis
features of small bowel obstruction
- colicky pain becoming continuous pain
- pain starting off localised, becoming diffuse
- vomiting (projectile, bilious, faecal)
- bloating/distension, may have mass (fluid or gas)
causes of small bowel obstruction
- intraluminal: malignancy, gallstone, meconium ileus, atresia, diaphragm disease
- intramural: malignancy, inflammation, strictures (ischaemic stricture/radiation stricture)
- external: malignancy, abscess, appendicitis, volvulus, hernia, ADHESIONS
investigations for small bowel obstruction
- examination: signs and symptoms as above
- bedside:
> bloods: FBC, U+E, LFT, CRP, lactate, ABG, coagulation screen + G+S (Ca, Mg, TFTs ?pseudoobstruction) - imaging:
> AXR: dilated bowel loops, free air
> CT abdo with oral and IV contrast
3 - 6 - 6 - 9 rule for AXR interpretation
small bowel <3cm
large bowel <6cm
appendix <6mm
caecum <9cm
most common area affected by volvulus
1) . Sigmoid Colon (76%)
2. Caecum (22%)
3. Small Bowel (rare – caecal rotation or adhesions)
management of small bowel obstruction
- ABCDE
- Aggressive fluid resuscitation + catheter
- Nil by mouth
- Bowel decompression (NG tube)
- Antibiotic cover
- Analgesia
- Antiemetic
- Oxygen
- Emergency laparotomy for:
» Radiological or clinical signs of strangulation / ischaemia
» Clinical peritonitis or free air on AXR - If bowel still viable, resection not required, can stent/bypass/untwist
causes of large bowel obstruction
- intraluminal: malignancy, faecal compaction, atresia, diaphragm disease
- intramural: malignancy, inflammation, Hirschprungs, diverticulitis, strictures
- external: malignancy, abscess, volvulus, hernia, adhesions
features of large bowel obstruction
- colicky pain becoming continuous pain
- pain starting off localised, becoming diffuse
- bloating/distension, may have mass (fluid or gas)
- DRE = empty, hard stool or blood
- PR bleeding
investigations for large bowel obstruction
- examination: signs and symptoms as above
- bedside:
> bloods: FBC, U+E, LFT, CRP, lactate, ABG, coagulation screen + G+S - imaging:
> AXR:
»_space; Competent IC – dilated air filled loops of lower intestine in periphery, with haustration, large caecum and normal SI
»_space; Incompetent IC – dilated LI, haustration, central dilated SI loops
> CT abdo
> flexible sigmoidoscopy (rigid in emergency)
large bowel AXR findings
- coffee bean (L facing = sigmoid volvulus, R facing = caecal volvulus
- strictures
- apple core = colon carcinoma
- thumb printing = ischaemia