Drugs to stop before surgery
Pre-op investigations
Bloods - FBC; U+E; G+S; Clotting; Glucose ?LFT;TFT
- +/- crossmatch - 4u gastrectomy and 6u AAA
CXR if symptoms or > 65
ECG if HTN/Hx CVD >55
MRSA swabs
When should nutrition be stopped before surgery
> 2 hours for clear fluids
>6 hours for solid food
When should DVT prophylaxis be given
Low risk/ neck surgery - early mobilisation
Mod risk - + 20mg dalteparin
High risk + 40mg dalteparin + intermittent compressino boots peri-op
ASA grades
Mallampati score
1) complete visualisation of soft palate
2) complete visualisation of uvula
3) visualisation of uvula base
4) Can’e see soft palate
Pre-medication for anaesthesia
Anxiolytics and Amnesia: e.g. temazepam
Analgesics: e.g. opioids, paracetamol, NSAIDs
Anti-emetics: e.g. ondansetron 4mg / metoclop 10mg
Antacids: e.g. lansoprazole
Anti-sialogue e.g. glycopyrolate (↓ secretions)
Antibiotics
3 principals of anaesthesia
Main drugs used in anaesthesia
Induction - propofol
Muscle relaxation - suxamethonium
Airway control - ET tube/LMA
Maintenance - N20/oxygen mix e.g. halothane
Reversal - neostigmine and glycopyrronium bromide
Complications of anaesthesia
Propofol - Cardiorespiratory depression
Intubation - Oro-pharyngeal injury/ Oesophageal intubation
Loss of pain sensation - Urinary retention/ Pressure necrosis/ Nerve palsies
Loss of muscle power - Corneal abrasion
No cough → atelectasis + pneumonia
Malignant Hyperpyrexia - Rapid rise in temperature + masseter spasm
Rx: dantrolene + cooling
Anaphylaxis
Analgesia pain ladder
1) Paracetamol and NSAIDS (SE - IGRAB - interact - warfarin, Gastric ulcer, Renal Impairement, Asthma, Bleeding)
2) Weak opiod + non-opiod
- dihydo/-codiene, tramadol
3) strong opiod + non-opiod
- morphone, oxycodone, fentayl
(SE sedation, confusion, prutitis, tolerance dependence, resp depression, constipation)
Positives and negatives of PCA
+ve
+ve and -ve of syringe drivers
+ve
What is spinal anaesthesia and complications
There is free flow of CSF when in correct place
complications - total spinal block (low BP, Low HR, anxiety, LOC); headache; urinary retention; permanent neurological damage
What is epidural anaesthesia and its complications
complications
- headache; - vessel puncture; - apnoea; - LOC; - hypoventilation; - marked hypotension; - epidural haemotoma; - nerve- root damage; - patchy/ unilateral block; total spinal block (low BP, Low HR, anxiety, LOC)
CI for epidural anaesthesia
Anti-coagulated (P damage to cord from bleed)
local sepsis (may introduce infection to CSF)
shock/ hgypovolaemia/ APH
raised ICP
Uncooperate pt
MS/AS
Allergy
Relative CI - neurological disease, IHD, previous deformity of spins/surgery, bowel perforation
Pre operative optimisation
Aggressive physiological optimisation Hydration BP (↑ / ↓) Anaemia DM Co-morbidities Smoking cessation: ≥4wks before surgery
Post operative enhanced recovery
Aggressive Rx of pain and nausea
Early mobilisation and physiotherapy
Early resumption of oral intake (inc. carb drinks)
Early discontinuation of IV fluids
Remove drains and urinary catheters ASAP
Surgical complications
Immediate (<24h)
Intubation → oropharyngeal trauma
Surgical trauma to local structures
Primary or reactive haemorrhage
Early (1d-1mo)
Secondary haemorrhage (>24h post-op; usually due to infection)
VTE/ MI
Urinary retention
Atelectasis and pneumonia
Wound infection (5-7d post-op) and dehiscence (~10d)
Antibiotic association colitis (AAC) - c.diff
Late (>1mo)
Scarring
Neuropathy
Failure or recurrence
Causes and risk factors for post op urinary retention
Causes
Drugs: opioids, epidural/spinal, anti-AChM
Pain: sympathetic activation → sphincter contraction
Psychogenic: hospital environment
Risk Factors Male ↑ age Neuropathy: e.g. DM, EtOH BPH Surgery type: hernia and anorectal
Signs and Treatment of post op urinary retention
Signs
Mx
Privacy Ambulation
Void to running taps or in hot bath Analgesia
Catheterise ± gent 2.5mg/kg IV stat
TWOC = Trial w/o Catheter
If failed, may be sent home c¯ silicone catheter
and urology outpt. f/up
Causes, presentation and mx of Pulmonary Atelectasis
Causes
Pre-op smoking
Anaesthetics ↑ mucus production ↓ mucociliary
clearance
Pain inhibits respiratory excursion and cough
Presentation w/i first 48hrs Mild pyrexia Dyspnoea Dull bases c¯ ↓AE
Mx
Good analgesia to aid coughing
Chest physiotherapy
Operative classification of wounds
Clean: incise uninfected skin w/o opening viscus
Clean/Cont: intra-op breach of viscus (not colon)
Contaminated: breach of viscus + spillage or opening of
colon
Dirty: site already contaminated – faeces, pus, trauma
Risk factors for post-op wound infections
Pre-operative ↑ Age Comorbidities: e.g. DM Pre-existing infection: e.g. appendix perforation Pt. colonisation: e.g. nasal MRSA Malnourished/ obese
Operative
Op classification and wound infection risk
Duration
Technical: pre-op Abx, asepsis
Post-operative
Contamination of wound from staff