Minor Surgical Conditions

Question 1

what is an abscess?

Answer 1

localised collection of purulent material lined with granulation and fibrous tissue

Question 2

where can abscess occur?

Answer 2

in any tissue

Question 3

what normally happens as an abscess progresses?

Answer 3

points and bursts leading to drainage

Question 4

what are the main complications arising from abscesses?

Answer 4

toxaemia
pyaemia
sinus
skin necrosis

Question 5

what do the pyogenic organisms found within abscesses do?

Answer 5

cause cell death and inflammation

Question 6

what are the key signs of abscess?

Answer 6

pyrexia
anorexia
vomiting
pain
swelling 
discharge (skin abscess)

Question 7

how should an abscess be treated?

Answer 7

establish drainage
maintain drainage
treatment with antibiotics

Question 8

how should drainage be established from an abscess?

Answer 8

lance with sterile scalpel blade and flush with saline or weak disinfectant solutions

Question 9

what is the issue with using weak disinfectant solutions to flush abscesses?

Answer 9

can lead to minor skin irritation

Question 10

what may be required for deep / internal abscesses?

Answer 10

surgery for resection

Question 11

how should drainage of an abscess be maintained?

Answer 11

keep open with regular bathing and flushing

surgical drains may be needed for deeper abscesses

Question 12

when should treatment with antibiotics begin for an abscess?

Answer 12

once drainage is achieved

Question 13

what other medication should be considered in the abscess patient?

Answer 13

analgesia

Question 14

what does cellulitis arise from?

Answer 14

acut inflammation?

Question 15

what is cellulitis?

Answer 15

non-localised distribution of pus through tissue

Question 16

what are the signs of cellulitis?

Answer 16

pain
area sensitive to touch
pyrexia
generalised swelling

Question 17

how is cellulitis treated?

Answer 17

systemic antibiotics
anti-inflammatory medication
analgesia

Question 18

what is a sinus (medical condition)?

Answer 18

infected blind ending tract leading from a focus of infection (deeper tissues) tot he boy surface or mucous membrane

Question 19

what is a sinus lined with?

Answer 19

granulation tissue

Question 20

what are the signs of sinus?

Answer 20

pyrexia
pain
sensitive to touch
disease specific signs (depends on cause)

Question 21

what are 2 examples of sinus formation?

Answer 21

foreign body tract (e.g. grass seeds0

anal furunculosis

Question 22

what is anal furunculosis?

Answer 22

deep pyoderma leading to many sinus tracts

Question 23

what is a fistula?

Answer 23

abnormal tract between two epithelial surfaces or connecting an epithelial surface to the skin

Question 24

what can fistula arise as a result of?

Answer 24

injury or trauma

congenital - lined with epithelium

Question 25

what is an oro-nasal fistula?

Answer 25

tract between nasal cavity and oral cavity

Question 26

what are the signs of fistula?

Answer 26

chronic infection visual abnormality physical abnormality

Question 27

what is required to treat all fistulas?

Answer 27

surgical repair

Question 28

what are ulcers?

Answer 28

the loss of the epithelial surface of a tissue (skin / mucous membrane) shallow lesions caused by trauma and aggravated by poor blood supply and / or infection

Question 29

how long to ulcers take to heal?

Answer 29

slow

Question 30

what are the common areas of the body affected by ulcers?

Answer 30

skin GI tract cornea

Question 31

what are the signs of ulcers?

Answer 31

pain swelling visual appearence secondary issues (e.g. infection

Question 32

how can ulcers be treated?

Answer 32

remove cause keep surface clean dress wound if possible surgical treatment

Question 33

what are the 4 main causes of an ulcer?

Answer 33

pathogens irritants poor blood supply pressure

Question 34

what pathogens can lead to ulcers?

Answer 34

Calici virus

Question 35

what can corneal ulcers vary in?

Answer 35

depth

Question 36

what are corneal ulcers caused by?

Answer 36

trauma bacteria (melting ulcers) eyelash / eyelid disorders (e.g. entropian)

Question 37

what are the signs of corneal ulcer?

Answer 37

increased lacrimation occular pain occular discharge blepherospasm

Question 38

how can decubitus ulcers be prevented?

Answer 38

padding and good patient management

Question 39

what are the signs of decubitus ulcers?

Answer 39

``` pain open wound possible pyrexia due to secondary bacterial infections sensitivity around area restricted movement ```

Question 40

what are cysts?

Answer 40

abnormal sac filled with fluid or semi solid matter lined with epithelium

Question 41

what are sebaceous cysts?

Answer 41

cysts of the skin

Question 42

what are interdigital cysts?

Answer 42

cysts between the toes

Question 43

what are ovarian cysts?

Answer 43

fluid filled sac on the ovary

Question 44

what are hydatid cysts?

Answer 44

Cysts found in organs (e.g. liver) associated with echinococcosis

Question 45

what are meibomian cysts?

Answer 45

Cyst of the eyelid caused by foreign body reaction

Question 46

what are the signs of cysts?

Answer 46

swelling visual appearance restriction of movement secondary problems dependent on type

Question 47

what is a haematoma?

Answer 47

blood vessel bursts causing blood to accumulate in tissues

Question 48

where can haematomas occur?

Answer 48

anywhere on the body

Question 49

what are the signs of haematoma?

Answer 49

swelling pain discolouration of skin

Question 50

what may a haematoma be caused by?

Answer 50

trauma surgery clotting blood vessel abnormality

Question 51

what is a rupture?

Answer 51

protrusion of organs or soft tissue through an unnatural opening or tear

Question 52

what usually causes rupture?

Answer 52

result of trauma although there may be a weakness that predisposes the tear

Question 53

what is a hernia?

Answer 53

abnormal protrusion of organs or soft tissues through a natural opening

Question 54

where do hernias usually occur?

Answer 54

through the abdominal wall - umbilical hernia

Question 55

what are the 3 classifications of hernia or rupture?

Answer 55

reducible irreducible / incarcerated strangulated

Question 56

how are reducible hernias / ruptures corrected?

Answer 56

usually through gentle pressure applied to protrusion

Question 57

describe a reducible hernia / rupture

Answer 57

contents can be repositioned to the original anatomical location

Question 58

describe a irreducible / incarcerated hernia or rupture

Answer 58

contents cannot be repositioned to the original anatomical location

Question 59

what is an irreducible / incarcerated hernia or rupture due to?

Answer 59

adhesions or other complication

Question 60

describe a strangulated hernia / rupture

Answer 60

contents become devitalised due to the blood vessels being restricted - can lead to necrosis

Question 61

what is the most life threatening classification of hernia / rupture?

Answer 61

strangulated

Question 62

when is umbilical hernia most common?

Answer 62

in kittens and puppies

Question 63

what may be a contributory factor to umbilical hernias in kittens and puppies?

Answer 63

mishandling at births

Question 64

in the majority of umbilical hernia cases what has moved through the hole in the abdominal wall?

Answer 64

small amount of falciform fat

Question 65

if the hole is larger what structures may be involved in an umbilical hernia?

Answer 65

abdominal contents

Question 66

how are umbilical hernias treated?

Answer 66

small ones often left larger may be treated when a midline incision is already being made (e.g. spay) the most severe will need surgery to resolve ASAP

Question 67

what happens during an inguinal hernia?

Answer 67

herniation occurs through inguinal canal

Question 68

how is an inguinal hernia often seen in females?

Answer 68

swelling by groin extending to vulva

Question 69

how is inguinal hernia often seen in males?

Answer 69

fat or intestine herniates into scrotal sac

Question 70

what are the complications associated with inguinal hernia?

Answer 70

strangulation | rupture

Question 71

what is used to determine the severity of inguinal hernia?

Answer 71

ultrasound or radiography

Question 72

when is perineal hernia most common?

Answer 72

elderly dogs due to chronic constipation which leads to excessive straining (potentially caused by prostatic hyperplasia in male dogs)

Question 73

how does excessive straining lead to perineal hernia?

Answer 73

muscle layers break down around anal sphincter and hernia forms

Question 74

what are the types of perineal hernia?

Answer 74

unilateral | bilateral

Question 75

why does diaphragmatic rupture usually arise?

Answer 75

trauma e.g. RTA

Question 76

what is a key sign of diaphragmatic rupture?

Answer 76

animal quickly becomes dyspnoeic

Question 77

why does an animal become dyspnoeic with diaphragmatic rupture?

Answer 77

the abdominal contents fall forwards into the chest

Question 78

how will an animal with diaphragmatic rupture find breathing easier?

Answer 78

if sitting up as abdominal contents are kept away from lungs

Question 79

why does diaphragmatic repair require IPPV?

Answer 79

once the abdominal cavity is opened air will enter the thoracic cavity so patient will be unable to ventilate themselves

Question 80

what does ventral or abdominal rupture describe?

Answer 80

refers to a tear anywhere on the abdominal wall other than the umbilical or inguinal regions

Question 81

hwo does ventral / abdominal rupture arise?

Answer 81

trauma as there is no predisposition (e.g. RTA or blunt trauma)

Question 82

how is ventral / abdominal rupture identified?

Answer 82

CT or X ray