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Bioregulatory Systems: Upper GI Tract > General Surgery in the GI Tract > Flashcards

General Surgery in the GI Tract Flashcards

1
Q

List 8 examples of causes of acute RUQ pain

A

Bilary Colic

Cholecystitis/Cholangitis

Duodenal Ulcer

Liver abscess

Portal vein thrombosis

Acute hepatitis

Nephrolithiasis (aka kidney stones)

RLL pneumonia [Right Lower Lobe]

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2
Q

List 8 examples of causes of acute epigastrum pain

A

Acute gastritis/GORD

Gastroparesis

Peptic ulcer disease/perforation

Acute pancreatitis

Mesenteric ischaemia

AAA (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm) Aortic dissection

Myocardial infarction

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3
Q

List 6 examples of causes of acute LUQ pain

A

Peptic ulcer

Acute pancreatitis

Splenic abscess

Splenic infarction

Nephrolithiasis

LLL Pneumonia

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4
Q

List 8 examples of causes of acute RLQ pain

A

Acute Appendicitis

Colitis

IBD

Infectious colitis

Ureteric stone/Pyelonephritis

PID/Ovarian torsion

Ectopic pregnancy

Malignancy

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5
Q

List 8 examples of causes of acute suprapubic/central pain

A

Early appendicitis

Mesenteric ischaemia

Bowel obstruction

Bowel perforation

Constipation

Gastroenteritis

UTI/Urinary retention

PID (Pelvic inflammatory pain)

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6
Q

List 8 examples of causes of acute LLQ pain

A

Diverticulitis

Colitis

IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)

Infectious colitis

Ureteric stone/Pyelonephritis

PID/Ovarian torsion

Ectopic pregnancy

Malignancy

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7
Q

List 4 typical presentations of bowel ischaemia

A

Sudden onset crampy abdominal pain

Severity of pain depends on the length and thickness of colon affected

Bloody, loose stool (currant jelly stools)

Fever, signs of septic shock

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8
Q

List 6 risk factors for bowel ischaemia

A

Age >65 yr

Cardiac arrythmias (mainly AF), atherosclerosis

Hypercoagulation/thrombophilia

Vasculitis

Sickle cell disease (Common)

Profound shock causing hypotension

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9
Q

What are the two different types of bowel ischaemia?

A

Acute Mesenteric Ischaemia

Ischaemic Colitis

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10
Q

List 4 different ways acute mesenteric ischaemia and ischaemic colitis differ from eachother.

A

Acute mesenteric iscahemia effects small bowel whereas IC affects large bowel

AMI (not myo infarct) has occlusive causes such as thromboemboli. Ischaemic collitis due to non-occlusive low flow states or atherosclerosis.

Acute mesenteric ischaemia has a sudden onset with varying severity whereas IC has a mild and gradual onset.

Acute mesenteric ischamia present with abdominal pain out of proportion to clinical signs whereas IC has moderate pain and tenderness

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11
Q

List 3 main investigations that should be performed in patients suspected of bowel ischaemia

A

Bloods: E.g. FBC, VBG

Imaging: CT angiogram

Endoscopy

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12
Q

What findings from a FBC and VBG would increase the suspicions of a patient having bowel ischaemia?

A

FBC would show neutrophilic leukocytosis (high neutrophils)

VBG: Could show lactic acidosis (indication of late stage bowel ischaemia)

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13
Q

What findings from a CT angiogram would increase the suspicions of a patient having bowel ischaemia?

A

Disrupted blood flow and vascular stenosis

Pneumatosis intestinalis (Radiological finding of gas in the bowels) Indicates transmural ischaemia/infarction

Thumbprint sign (unspecific sign of colitis)

N.B. CT angiogram showing disrupted blood flow

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14
Q

For a patient assumed to have mild/moderate cases of ischaemic colitis, what investigation could be considered and what are 3 common findings?

A

Endoscopy

Oedema

Cyanosis

Ulceration of mucosa

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15
Q

What is the management plan for mild/moderate ischaemic colitis? (7)

A

IV fluid resuscitation

Bowel rest (NIL by mouth)

Broad spectrum AB (reduces risk of sepsis and bacteraemia as a result of colon ischaemia)

NG tube (Ileus

Anticoagulation

Treat underlying cause

Serial abdominal examination and repeat imaging

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16
Q

Conservative management of mild/modrate ischaemic colitis is not suitable for?

A

Small bowel ischaemia (e.g. acute mesenteric ischaemia)

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17
Q

List 5 indications that a person suspected of bowel ischaemia should recieve surgical management?

A

Small bowel ischaemia (e.g. acute mesenteric ischaemia)

Signs of peritonitis or sepsis

Haemodynamic instability

Massive bleeding

Fulminant colitis with toxic megacolon

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18
Q

What type of surgery should be provided for patients with bowel ischaemia and what does the surgery involve?

A

Explorative laparotomy

Involves looking at the bowel directly for signs of necrosis. Any findings of necrotic bowel results in its resection.

Alongisde necrotic bowel resection, may or may not perform open surgical embolectomy (removal of embolus occluding blood supply) or a mesenteric artery bybass [alternate route for blood form aorta to supply the gut].

These additional procedures tend to be performed in severe cases

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19
Q

What non surgical, invasive procedure can be considered in patients with chronic ischaemia/ in patients with no signs of ischeamia?

A

Endovascular revascularisation (e.g. Balloon angioplasty/thrombectomy)

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20
Q

List 5 important clinical signs of acute appendicitis

A

McBurney’s sign: Tenderness in the RLQ (lateral third between ASIS and umbillicus)

Blumberg sign: Rebound tenderness in right iliac fossa (RIF)

Rovsing sign: RLQ pain elicited on deep palpation of the LLQ

Psoas sign: RLQ pain elicited on flexion of right hip against resistance

Obturator sign: RLQ pain on passive internal rotation of the hip with hip & knee flexion

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21
Q

Tenderness in the RLQ (lateral 1/3 of a hypothetical line drawn from the right ASIS to the umbilicus)

A

McBurney’s point

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22
Q

Rebound tenderness especially in the RIF

A

Blumberg sign

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23
Q

RLQ pain elicited on deep palpation of the LLQ

A

Rovsing sign

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24
Q

RLQ pain elicited on flexion of right hip against resistance

A

Psoas sign

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25
Q

RLQ pain on passive internal rotation of the hip with hip & knee flexion

A

Obturator sign

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26
Q

List 4 examples of findings which may support suspicion of acute appendicitis.

A

Neutrophilic leukocytosis

Elevated CRP

Mild Pyuria ( WBC in urine)

Mild Haematuria

Electrolyte imbalances in profound vomitting

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27
Q

What is the gold standard imaging for diagnosis of acute appendicitis (esp in age > 50)?

A

CT scan

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28
Q

CT scan is gold standard for diagnosing acute appendicitis. What 2 other imaging techniques could be performed and when would they be more suitable over a CT scan?

A

USS: Children, Pregnant women, Breastfeeding

MRI: In pregnancy if USS is inconclusive

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29
Q

If a patient suspected of appendicitis has persistent pain and no inclocusive imaging, what is the next step of action to confirm suspicions?

A

Diagnostic laproscopy (Keyhole surgery)

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30
Q

Name the scoring system that can help in diagnosis of acute appendicitis

A

Alvarado score

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31
Q
A
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32
Q

State the alvarado scoring range which would suggest a person is unlikely, possible or likely to have acute appendicitis

A

< 4 = Unlikely

5-6 = possible

> = Likely

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33
Q

What is the conservative management plan for acute appendicitis?

A

IV fluid

IV or PO ABs

Analgesia

In abscess, phlegmon or sealed perforation (Resuscitation + IV ABx +/- percutaneous drainage)

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34
Q

What is the conservative management plan for acute appendicitis characterised by in abscess, phlegmon or sealed perforation?

A

Resuscitation + IV ABx +/- percutaneous drainage

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35
Q

What are the 2 main indications to provide a patient with acute appendicitis only conservative management?

A

After negative imaging in selected patients with clinically uncomplicated appendicitis

In delayed presentation with abscess/phlegmon formation [e.g. complain of weeks worth of pain and find abscess] (CT-guided drainage is advised and see how that goes)

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36
Q

Why should all patients recieving conservative management for appendicitis be considered for interval appendicetomy?

A

Should be considered as rate of reccurence after conservative treatment is 12-24%

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37
Q

What are two surgical options for an appendicetomy?

A

Laproscopy

Open apendicetomy

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38
Q

List 6 benefits of laproscopy over open apendicetomy

A

Less pain

Lower incidence of surgical site infection

↓ed length of hospital stay

Earlier return to work

Overall costs

Better quality of life scores

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39
Q

List 8 steps of laproscopic appendicetomy

A
  1. Trocar placement (usually 3)
  2. Exploration of RIF & identification of appendix
  3. Elevation of appendix + division of mesoappendix (containing artery)
  4. Based secured with endoloops and appendix is divided
  5. Retrieval of appendix with a plastic retrieval bag
  6. Careful inspection of the rest of the pelvic organs/intestines
  7. Pelvic irrigation (wash out) + Haemostasis
  8. Removal of trocars + wound closure
40
Q

Define bowel obstruction

A

Condition characterised by restriction of normal passage of intestinal contents.

41
Q

What are the two main groups of bowel obstruction?

A

Paralytic ileus (basically more functional)

Mechanical (e.g. physical obstruction)

42
Q

Mechanical intestinal obstruction can be classified by speed of onset, site, nature and aetiology. What are the 3 different types of onset?

A

Acute

Chronic

Acute-on-chronic

43
Q

Mechanical intestinal obstruction can be classified by speed of onset, site, nature and aetiology. What are the 2 sites of obstruction?

A

High (usually small bowel)

Low (Usually large bowel)

44
Q

Mechanical intestinal obstruction can be classified by speed of onset, site, nature and aetiology. What are the 2 potential natures of the mechanical obstruction?

A

Simple (Obstruction which does not compromise blood supply)

Strangulating: Blood supply of the component of bowel obstructed is comprimised (e.g. strangulated hernia, volvulus, intussusception)

45
Q

Give 3 examples of causes of strangulated mechanical bowel obstrcution?

A

Strangulated hernia

Volvulus (loop of intestine twists around itself and the mesentery that supplies it)

Intussusception (parts of the intestine slip into the lumen of other portions of the intestine)

46
Q

What 3 aetiological causes are considered in the classification of mechanical bowel obstruction?

A

Causes in the lumen (e.g. faecal impactation)

Causes in the wall (e.g. crohn’s disease, tumorsm, colon diverticula)

Causes outside the wall (e.g. volvolus, strangulated hernia, obstruction due to adhesions or bands)

47
Q

Give 3 examples of causes of mechanical bowel obstruction due to problems in the lumen

A

Faecal impactation

Gallstone ileus

48
Q

Give 3 examples of causes of mechanical bowel obstruction due to problems in the wall of the intestine

A

Crohn’s disease

Tumor

Colon diverticula

49
Q

Give 3 examples of causes of mechanical bowel obstruction due to problems outside the wall of the bowel

A

Strangulated hernia

Volvulus

Adhesions or bands

50
Q

What is the most common cause of small bowel obstruction?

A

Adhesions (60%) [Usually in patients with previous abdominal surgery]

51
Q

List 5 potential causes of small bowel obstruction from most common to least

A

Adhesion (60%)

Neoplastic causes (20%) [e.g. primary, metastatic or extraintestinal]

Incarcerated hernia (10%) [External (abdominal wall), Internal (mesenteric defect)]

Crohn’s Disease (5%) [Acute (oedema), Chronic (strictures)]

Other (5%) [Intussusception, intraluminal (foreign body, bezoar)]

52
Q

List 5 potential causes of large bowel obstruction

A

Colorectal carcinoma

Volvulus

Diverticulus

Faecal impactation

Hirschsprung disease (common in children/infants)

53
Q

List 5 main signs/symptoms of bowel obstruction

A

Abdominal pain

Vomiting

Absolute constipation

Abdominal distention

Other signs: Dehydration, Increased high pitched tinkling bowel sounds (early sign), or absent bowel sounds (late sign), Diffuse abdominal tenderness

54
Q

How does the symptoms of small bowel obstruction differ to large bowel obstruction?

A

Abdominal pain: Colicky and central (SB) vs Colicky and constant (LB)

Vomitting: Early onset, large amount and billous [green] (SB) vs late onset, intially billous but progresses to faecal vomitting (LB)

Absolute constipation: Late sign (SB) vs early sign (LB)

Abdominal distention: Less significant (SB) vs early sign and significant (LB)

55
Q

Examination of a patient with suspicion of bowel obstruction should always involve?

A

Search for hernias & abdominal scars, including laparoscopic portholes

56
Q

List 6 signs/symptoms of bowel obstruction which could indicate that cause is strangulating in nature.

A

Change in character of pain from colicky to continuous

Tachycardia

Pyrexia

Peritonism

Bowel sounds absent or reduced

Leucocytosis

↑ed C-reactive protein

57
Q

Why should strangulating bowel obstruction require immediate medical attention?

A

Strangulating obstruction with peritonitis has a mortality of up to 15%

58
Q

List 5 common hernia sites

A

Epigastrum

Umbilical

Incisional

Inguinal

Femoral

59
Q

What is a Ritcher’s Hernia?

A

Potrusion or strangulation where only part of the cirumference of the intestine’s antimesenteric border is within the hernial sac.

(Can have ischaemia due to strangulation but no bowel obstruction as a result)

60
Q

List 4 typical blood results in patients with bowel obstruction.

A

WBC: Normal unless strangulation or peforation of bowel

U&E: electrolyte imbalance (due to vomitting)

VBG if vomiting: HypoCl-,HypoK+ metabolic alkalosis

VBG if strangulation: Metabolic Acidosis (lactate)

61
Q

What 2 types of imaging should be conducted in patient suspected with bowel obstruction

A

Erect CXR/AXR [standing]

CT abdo/pelvis

62
Q

What CXR/AXR findings are indicative of small bowel obstrcution?

A

Dilated small bowel loops( >3cm) proximal to the obstruction (central)

63
Q

What CXR/AXR findings are indicative of large bowel obstrcution?

A

Dilated large bowel >6cm (if caecum >9cm) predominantly peripheral

64
Q

What are CT scans useful in identifying in patients suspected of bowel obstruction? (3)

What CT abdo/pelvic findings are indicative of bowel obstrcution?

A

Can localize site of obstruction

Detect obstructing lesions & colonic tumours

May diagnose unusual hernias (e.g. obturator hernias).

Dilation of proximal loops

65
Q

Usually with bowel obstruction, conservative management is sufficient. However this should only be the management plan if?

A

The patient has no signs of ischaemia or no signs of clinical deterioration

66
Q

List 7 supportive management and conservative treatment options for a patient with bowel obstruction with no signs of ischaemia or clinical deterioriation.

A

Supportive management:

NBM with IV fluid resusciation

IV analgesia, IV antiemetics, correction of electrolyte imbalances

NG tube for decompression, urinary catheter for monitoring output

Introduce gradual food intake if abdominal pain and distention improve

Conservative treatment:

Stool evacuation (e.g. enemas, manual or endoscopic removal) if faecal impactation

Rigid sigmoidoscopic decompression if sigmoid volvulus

Oral gastrograffin (highly osmolar iodinated contrast agent) can be used to resolve adhesional small bowel obstruction

67
Q

Patient with no signs of ischaemia/no signs of clinical deterioration has been shown to have faecal impactation. What conservative treatment should be considered in this patient?

A

Stool evacuation (manual, edema, endoscopic)

68
Q

Patient with no signs of ischaemia/no signs of clinical deterioration has been shown to have igmoid volvulus. What conservative treatment should be considered in this patient?

A

Rigid sigmoidoscopic decompression

69
Q

Patient with no signs of ischaemia/no signs of clinical deterioration has been shown to have SBO secondary to adhesions. What conservative treatment should be considered in this patient?

A

Oral gastrogaffin (adhesions can twist so has chance to straighten out)

70
Q

Patient with bowel obstruction has been shown to display worsening clinical sypmtoms and signs of ischaemia (e.g. neutrophilic leukocytosis). What is the management plan for this patient?

A

Surgical management

71
Q

List 4 indications for surgical management of bowel obstruction

A

Haemodynamic instability or signs of sepsis

Complete bowel obstruction with signs of ischaemia

Closed loop obstruction

Persistent bowel obstruction >2 days despite conservative management

72
Q

List 4 surgical procedures that are involved in management of bowel obstruction

A

Explorative laproscopy/laparotomy

Restoration of intestinal transit (depending on intra-operational findings)

Bowel resection with primary anastomosis or temporary/permanent stoma formation

73
Q

List 6 general presentations of GI perforation

A

Sudden onset severe abdominal pain associated with distention

Diffuse abdominal guarding, rigidity, rebound tenderness

Pain aggravated by movement

Nausea, vomiting, absolute constipation

Fever, Tachycardia, Tachypnoea, Hypotension

Decreased or absent bowel sounds

74
Q

List 4 examples of types of GI perfoartions

A

Perforated Peptic Ulcer

Perforated Diverticulum

Perforated Appendix

Perforated Malignancy

75
Q

Alongside general presentations of a GI perforation, what are 3 additional signs/symptoms which can indicate a person has a perforated peptic ulcer?

A

Sudden epigastric pain or diffuse pain

Referred shoulder pain

Hx of NSAIDs, steroids, recurrent epigastric pain

76
Q

Alongside general presentations of a GI perforation, what are 3 additional signs/symptoms which can indicate a person has a perforated diverticulum

A

LLQ pain

Constipation

77
Q

Alongside general presentations of a GI perforation, what are 3 additional signs/symptoms which can indicate a person has a perforated appendix?

A

Migratory pain

Anorexia

Gradual worsening RLQ pain

78
Q

Alongside general presentations of a GI perforation, what are 3 additional signs/symptoms which can indicate a person has a perforated appendix?

A

Change in bowel habit

Weight loss

Anorexia

PR Bleeding

79
Q

What are 3 typical blood results found in patients with GI perforation?

A

FBC: Neutrophilic leukocytosis

Possible elevation of urea, creatinine

VGB: Lactic acidosis

80
Q

What erect CXR finding is indicative of GI perforation?

A

Subdiaphragmatic free air (pneumoperitoneum)

81
Q

What erect CT abdo/pelvis findings are indicative of GI perforation? (3)

A

Pneumoperitoneum

Free GI content

Localised mesenteric fat stranding

82
Q

Why is CT abdo/pelvis specifically useful when a patient is suspected of having a GI perforation?

A

Can rule out common differential diagnoses such as acute pancreatitis

83
Q

List 4 differential diagnoses that should be considered alongside a GI perforation.

A

Acute cholecystitis

Appendicitis.

Myocardial infarction

Acute pancreatitis

84
Q

What is the conservative management plan for a patient with a GI perforation?

A

NIL by mouth and NG tube

IV fluids

Broad spectrum antibiotics

IV PPI

Parenteral analgesia & antiemetics

Urinary catheter

85
Q

Alongside suportive management of a GI perforation. What 2 additional conservative management plans are implemented in patients with a GI perforation with localised peritonitis and no signs of sepsis? (2)

A

IR - guided drainage of intra-abdominal collection

Serial abdominal examination & abdominal imaging for assessment

N.B. This is very rare to have this type of presentation and often patients would need surgery

86
Q

What is the management plan for patients with GI perforation with localised peritonitis and signs of sepsis?

A

Surgical management (e.g. exploratory laproscopy/laparotomy

87
Q

List the 6 general steps performed in surgical management of a patient with a GI perforation

A

Exploratory laparotomy/laparascopy

Primary closure of perforation with or without omental patch (most common in perforated peptic ulcer)

Resection of the perforated segment of the bowel with primary anastomosis or temporary stoma

Obtain intra-abdominal fluid for microscopy, culture and sensitivity, peritoneal lavage ++++

If perforated appendix: Lap or open appendicectomy

If malignancy: intraoperative biopsies if possible

88
Q

What are 2 symptoms indicative of biliary colic?

A

Post-prandial (mealtime) RUQ pain with radiation to the shoulder

Nausea

89
Q

What 2 findings from investigation can support diagnosis of biliary colic?

A

USS: Showing cholelithiasis (gallstone)

Normal blood test results

90
Q

What is the management plan for a patient diagnosed with biliary colic?

A

Analgesia

Antiemetics

Spasmolytics

Follow up for elective cholecystectomy

91
Q

What are 3 signs/symptoms indicative of acute cholecystitis?

A

Acute, severe RUQ pain

Fever

Murphy’s sign (Pain upon inspiriation and palpation of right subcostal margin)

92
Q

What 2 findings from investigation can support diagnosis of acute cholecystitis

A

Elevated WCC/CRP

USS: thickened gallbladder wall

93
Q

What is the management plan for a patient diagnosed with acute cholecystitis?

A

Fluids, ABx, Analgesia, Blood cultures

Early (<72 hours) or elective cholecystectomy (4-6 weeks)

94
Q

What symptoms are indicative of acute cholangitis?

A

Charcot’s triad: jaundice, RUQ pain, fever

95
Q
A

Bioregulatory Systems: Upper GI Tract (13 decks)

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