Flashcards in Small Bowel Diseases Deck (36)
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1
In what 3 places can cause an obstruction in the small bowel occur
Within the lumen
Within the wall
Outside the wall
2
Describe the 5 symptoms a patient would present with in a small bowel obstruction
Pain (colicky, central)
Absolute constipation
Vomiting
Burping
Abdominal Distension
3
What could cause an obstruction within the lumen
Gallstones - fistulates the small bowel and then passes through before becoming stuck in the ileocaecal junction
Food
Bezoar (stony concretion formed in the stomach)
4
What could cause an obstruction within the wall?
Tumour,
Crohn's disease,
Radiation
5
What could cause an obstruction outside the wall?
Adhesions,
Hernias (bits of bowel going places they shouldn't)
6
What is Borborygmi?
a rumbling or gurgling noise made by the movement of fluid and gas in the intestines.
7
What investigations should we do for a suspected bowel obstruction?
Urinalysis
Full set of Bloods
Blood gases
8
How do we confirm the diagnosis of a small bowel obstruction
AXR
Contrast CT of abdomen
Gastrograffin studies
9
What is the treatment for a small bowel obstruction
ABC
Analgesia
Fluids with potassium
Catheterise
NG tube to drain the stomach
Anti-thromboembolism measures
10
Why do we give potassium to the patient?
K+ will have been lost in vomit
11
What is drip and suck?
Conservative treatment
patient receives fluids and has a drainage NG
12
How long do we drip and suck for?
72 hours is standard
13
What 3 reasons would we intervene earlier than 72 hours?
Strangulation
Perforation
ischaemia
14
What type of operation is performed to resolve an obstruction
Laparotomy - complete opening up of the stomach
Sometimes laparoscopic (keyhole)
15
What can cause mesenteric ischaemia?
Embolus, thrombosis (arterial and venous)
16
Describe chronic mesenteric ischaemia
Superior Mesenteric artery
cramps
angina of the gut
atherosclerosis
17
Describe acute mesenteric ischaemia
Small bowel usually gets infarcted
18
Why is the small bowel more likely to die than the large bowel?
Small only has one blood supply
the colon has the marginal artery of Drummond
19
How do we diagnose mesenteric ischaemia?
Pain is out of proportion to clinical findings
Acidosis on gasses (low pH. high H+ concentration, high BE
Lactate elevated
CRP may be normal
WCC may be up a bit
CT angiogram
20
How do we fix mesenteric ischaemia?
QUICKLY!
resect if non-viable
re-anastomse or staple and planned return
21
How can we investigate a haemorrhage?
ABC
Exclude upper source
Vascular malformations
Ulceration
CT angiogram
22
Describe Meckel's Diverticulum
An embryological remnant of the vitello-intestinal duct and is present in 2% of the population.
Usually situated 50cm from the ileocaecal valve, may be of varying length and may be associated with other congenital abnormalities. Less than 5% produce symptoms due to complications
23
What are 6 complications with Meckel's Diverticulum
Bleed - prone to ulceration
Ulcerate
Obstruction
Malignant change
Diverticulitis
Perforation
24
How can we treat Meckel's Diverticulum
Surgery to remove large diverticula
this is controversial
25
What is the most common emergency operation
Appendectomy
26
Describe the appendix
Vestigial organ
Vermiform appendix
retrocaecal
the tip can vary in location
The base is constant - at the convergence of the three taenia
27
Is appendicitis more common in men or women
Men
28
Who is usually affected by appendicitis
Children / early adulthood
29
What is the class picture for appendicitis
Central pain that migrates to the right ileac fossa
Anorexia
Nausea
no more than 1 or 2 vomits
Mild ocnstipation
30
