General Surgery Flashcards
(272 cards)
what is an enterocutaneous fistula?
link intestine to skin
may be high (>500ml) or low (<250ml) output depending on source
duodenal/ jejunal fistulae tend to be high vol, electrolyte rich secretions -> severe excoriation of the skin
colo-cutaneous fistulae -> leak faeculant material
what is an enterovesicular fistula?
fistula between intestine and bladder
- > frequent UTIs
- > passage of gas from urethra during urination (bubbly urine ie. pneumaturia)
Mx of high output fistula?
octreotide -> reduces the vol of pancreatic secretion
nutritional complicatoins common -> may necessitate use of TPN
protect overlying skin using a well fitted stoma bag
What is Goodsall’s rule?
it means that anterior-opening fistulas tend to follow a simple, direct course while posterior-opening fistulas may follow a devious, curving path with some even being horseshoe-shaped before opening in the posterior midline

mx of inguinal hernias?
clinical consensus is treat medically fit patients even if they are asymptomatic
- mesh repair assoc w lowest recurrence rate
a hernia truss: for pts not fit for surgery
pigmented gallstones assoc w?
sickle cell anaemia
-> results in increased red cell haemolysis and thus pigmented gallstone
pigmented gallstones are primarily made of bilirubin
A 65-year-old man with a history of dyspepsia is found to have a gastric MALT lymphoma on biopsy. What treatment should be offered?
Eradicate H pylori
In meckel’s diverticulitis, why is pain worse after meals?
contain ectopic gastric mucosa which may secrete acid with subsequent bleeding and ulceration.
what happens in Dumping syndrome?
early: food of high osmotic potential moves into small intestine -> fluid shift into the lumen, can cause pain due to lumen distension and diarrhoea
later: surge of insulin following food of high glucose value in small intestine - 2-3h later the insulin overshoots and causes hypoglycaemia
features of oesophagitis causing oesophageal bleeding?
small vol of fresh blood, often streaking vomit
often ceases spontaneously.
usually +ve hx of antecedent GORD type symptoms
features of oesophageal ca causing bleeding?
usually small vol of blood, except as pre terminal event w erosion of major vessels
often assoc w symptoms of dysphagia and constitutional symptoms (FLAWS)
may be recurrent until malignancy managed
features of Mallory Weiss tear causing bleed?
typically brisk small to mod volume of bright red blood following bout of repeated vomiting
melaena rare
usually ceases spontaneously
features of oesophageal varices?
usually large vol of fresh blood
swallowed blood can cause melaena
often assoc w haemodynamic compromise
may stop spontaneously but rebleeds are common until appropriately managed
feautres of gastric cancer causing bleed?
may be frank haematemesis or altered blood mixed w vomit
usually prodromal features of dyspepsia and may have constitutional symptoms
amount of bleeding variable but erosion of major vessel may produce considerable haemorrhage
features of Dielafoy lesion causing bleed?
often no prodromal features
this AV malformation may produce considerable haemorrhage and may be difficult to detect endoscopically
features of diffuse erosive gastritis causing bleeding?
usually haematemesis and epigastric discomfort
usually underlying cause such as NSAID use
large vol haemorrhage may occur w considerable haemodynamic compromise
Upper GI bleed in pt with previous hx of AAA surgery?
aorto-enteric fistulation
- rare but impt cause of major haemorrhage assoc w high mortality
most common cause of major haemorrhage from upper GI bleed?
posteriorly sited duodenal ulcer
when should pts admitted w upper GI bleed undergo upper GI endoscopy?
ideally ALL should undergo endoscopy within 24h of admission
in those who are unstable, this should occur immediately after resus or in tandem w it.
may be safer to perform endoscopy in theatre w an anaethetist present.
Mx of suspected oesophageal varices?
should receive terlipressin before endoscopy
during endoscopy: varices banded or subjected to sclerotherapy
if this is not possible due to active bleeding -> Sengstaken-Blakemore tube inserted
portal pressure should be lowered by combination of medical therapy +/- TIPSS
what to rmb about sengstaken blakemore tube?
gastric balloon inflated first then oesophageal balloon
balloon needs deflating after 12 h (ideally sooner) to prevent necrosis
mx of upper GI bleed due to erosive oesophagitis/ gastritis?
Proton Pump Inhibitor
Identifiable bleeding points should receive combination therapy of injection of adrenaline and either a thermal or mechanical treatment
pts w diffuse erosive gastritis who cannot be managed endoscopically and cont to bleed may require gastrectomy
mx of bleeding ulcers that cannot be controlled endoscopically?
laparotomy and ulcer underrunning
Blatchford and Rockall scores in Upper Gi bleeds?
Blatchford score assesses severity of upper GI bleed, and thus need for admisison and timing of endoscopic intervention
(1 or more = high risk)
Rockall score: determined following endoscopy to assess risk of rebleeding and mortality




























