Y3 Surgery > 20 - Perioperative Care > Flashcards

20 - Perioperative Care Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the pre-operative assessment?

A

Done a few weeks before surgery to identify any co-morbidities than may lead to complications during anaesthetic, surgery or the post-operative period

  1. History
  2. Full general examination (cardio, resp, abdo)
  3. Investigations
  4. Anaesthetic airway review
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2
Q

How do you take a preop history?

A
  • History of presenting complaint
  • PMH
  • Past surgical history
  • Past anaesthetic history (any post op N+V?)
  • DHx
  • FHx (malignant hyperthermia which is autosomal dominant)
  • SHx (alcohol, smoking, exercise tolerance)
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3
Q

What are the different ASA grades?

A

I - Normal healthy

II - Mild systemic disease inc smoking

III - Severe systemic disease

IV - Severe systemic illness that is constant threat to life

V - Not expected to survive without operation

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4
Q

What are some preoperative investigations that may be done?

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng45/chapter/recommendations#chest-xray

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng45/resources/colour-poster-2423836189

A
  • Blood tests (see image)
  • ECG (if history of cardiovascular disease)
  • Pregnancy test
  • Urinalysis
  • MRSA swabs
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5
Q

What is the difference between a group and save and a cross match?

A

G+S

  • Determines blood group and antibodies (ABO and RhD)
  • No blood issued
  • Not anticipating blood loss

Cross Match

  • Mixing patient’s blood with donors blood to see if there is an immune reaction
  • Blood is issued
  • Done after a G+S
  • If anticipating blood loss
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6
Q

What is the airway examination done preoperatively?

A
  • Look at face for any obvious abnormalities (e.g receding mandible retrognathia)
  • Open mouth and look for:
  • Degree of mouth opening
  • Any false teeth? Any loose teeth? Dental hygiene?
  • Mallampati classification of oropharynx when maximally protruding tongue
  • Assess neck movements and ask to extend, if distance between thyroid cartilage and chin is less than 6.5cm (three finger breadths), intubation may be difficult
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7
Q

What are some drugs that need to be stopped, started or altered before surgery?

A

STOP (CHOW)

  • Clopidogrel 7 days before
  • Hypoglycaemics
  • COCP or HRT 4 weeks before
  • Warfarin 5 days before (needs to be <1.5 before surgery)

ALTER

  • Subcut insulin to IVI
  • Long term steroids need to be continued due to risk of Addinsonian crisis, if cannot take orally switch to IV (5mg PO Prednisolone = 20mg IV hydrocortisone)

START

  • LMWH
  • TED stockings
  • Antibiotic prophylaxis
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8
Q

What patients need LMWH for 28 days and TED stockings for this period too after surgery?

A
  • Major GI surgery for cancers
  • Lower limb joint replacements
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9
Q

How is a type I diabetics insulin managed during an operation?

A

PUT FIRST ON THE LIST

  • Night before surgery reduce s/c basal insulin dose by 1/3rd
  • Omit morning insulin and start IVVRI (continue any s/c long acting insulin)
  • Start 5% dextrose at 125 ml/hr
  • Take BM every 2 hours
  • Keep giving IVVRI until can eat and drink and overlap 30-60 mins with s/c insulin
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10
Q

How are type II diabetics managed before surgery with their anti-diabetic drugs?

A
  • If diabetes is diet controlled no change
  • If on medication stop oral hypoglycaemics 24 hours before and stop metformin morning of surgery
  • IVVRI with 5% dextrose then given
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11
Q

When is bowel preparation needed?

A
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12
Q

Why does a septic patient need large volumes of IV fluid to maintain their intravascular volume?

A

Tight junctions between capillary endothelial cells break down and cells become more permeable

Increased hydrostatic pressure and reduced oncotic pressure means more fluid leaves the blood vessels

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13
Q

What are some fluid inputs and outputs?

A
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14
Q

What are the two things checked for on a cross match and who is a universal donor and acceptor?

A

Rhesus D (most patients are positive) and ABO

Universal Donor: O -ve

Universal Acceptor: AB +ve

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15
Q

When do patients need to be given CMV -ve blood and irradiated blood products?

A

CMV -VE: Pregnant women and neonates up to 28 days as CMV has risk of sensorineural deafness and cerebal palsy

Irradiated: (treated with radiation) reduces risk of graft v host disease, see image

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16
Q

How are patients given a blood transfusion?

A
  • Green (18G) or Grey (16G) cannula as otherwise cells haemolyse as tube too narrow
  • Take observations before transfusion, 15-20 minutes after starting, 1 hour after starting and on completion
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17
Q

What do the following blood products contain and what are they used for:

  • Packed Red Cells
  • Platelets
  • Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)
  • Cryoprecipitate
A

Packed red cells:

  • Contain RBC
  • Used for acute blood loss or chronic anaemia where Hb<70 or symptomatic. 1 unit should raise Hb by 10
  • Given over 2-4 hours

Platelets

  • Contain platelets
  • Used for haemorraghic shock, thrombocytopaenia, bleeding with thrombocytopenia, preoperative platelets <50. Should raise platelets by 20-40
  • Given over 30 minutes

FFP

  • Contains clotting factors
  • Used for DIC, haemorraghe due to liver disease, massive haemorraghe after two units of PRC
  • Given over 30 minutes

Cryoprecipitate

  • Contains fibrinogen, vWF, factor VIII and fibronectin
  • Used for DIC with low fibrinogen, vW disease, massive haemorraghe
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18
Q

What is the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol?

A

Pre-operative

  • Educate patients about surgery and milestones/post-op complications after
  • Ensure patient as healthy as possible (stop weight loss, smoking, lost weight)
  • Optimal preoperative fasting

Intraoperative

  • Use of multimodal and non-opioid analgesia
  • Use of multimodal post op nausea and vomiting prophylaxis
  • Minimally invasive surgery

Postoperative

  • Adequate pain control
  • Early oral intake
  • MDT post-op patient follow up

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19
Q

What is the point of the ERAS protocol?

A

Reduces post-operative complications, length of hospital stay and overall costs

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20
Q

What procedures are considered for day case surgery and what are the advantages of day case?

A

Considered if:

  • Minimal blood loss expected

Day case surgery is the admission of select patients to hospital for a planned surgical procedure, returning home on the same day. In the UK, this represents about 70% of all surgery performed.

  • Short duration <1hr
  • No expected intra/post-op complications
  • No specialist aftercare needed
  • Social and medical factors acceptable

Advantage:

  • Shorter inpatient stay
  • Lower infection rates
  • Reduced waiting lists
  • Cheaper
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21
Q

How can you classify the different types of haemorraghe in a surgical patient?

A

- Primary: intraoperatively

- Reactive: within 24 hours of operation, usually due to a missed vessel or ligature that slips, don’t usually see intraoperatively due to intraoperative hypotension

Secondary: occurs 7-10 days post operatively, usually due to erosion of a vessel from a spreading infection

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22
Q

What are some clinical features of haemorraghic shock post-operatively and how can you classify this type of shock?

A

- Raised respiratory rate (most sensitive)

  • Tachycardia
  • Dizziness
  • Agitation
  • Decreased urine output
  • Hypotension is late sign

Look for any peritonism, swelling and discolouration on examination

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23
Q

How do you manage post-operative bleeding?

A

- A to E with 18G cannula minimum and fluid resus

  • Read the operation notes to look for wounds, drains, type of surgery
  • If bleeding visible apply direct pressure

- Urgent senior surgical review to see if need reoperation

  • Urgent blood transfusion with PRC, FFP, platelets and major haemorraghe protocol
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24
Q

What are some signs of post-operative bleeding in the following cases:

  • Neck surgery (e.g thyroid/parathyroidectomy)
  • Inferior Epigastric Artery Injury
  • Retroperitoneal bleeding post angiography
A

Neck: Airway obstruction as pretracheal fascia can only extend so far. need to airway rescue by removing skin clips and deep suture layers and suction haematoma below

Inferior Epigastric Artery Injury: comes from external iliac and can be damaged by laparoscopic ports as runs along rectus muscle mid-clavicular line

Retroperitoneal Bleeding Post Angiography: puncture site for this procedure is usually external iliac so any bleeding will go into retroperitoneum. if suspected apply direct pressure to puncture site, resuscitate, give blood products

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25
What is sepsis?
**Sepsis is life-threatening organ dysfunction due to abnormal/uncontrolled host response to an infection** ## Footnote - Presence or suspected infection - Clinical features of organ dysfunction
26
What is the SOFA and qSOFA score?
**_SOFA_** - Helps to quantify the level of organ dysfunction if patient has infection If **2 or more** then indicates sepsis **_qSOFA_** - Shortened version of SOFA score purely on clinical signs - If patient has signs of infection and a qSOFA of **2 or more** then investigate and manage for sepsis
27
What is the sepsis 6?
DON'T FORGET BLOOD CULTURES - Hourly observations - Involve seniors early - Ask ICU if need vasopressors, renal replacement and/or ventilator support
28
What are some investigations done for source identification of sepsis?
- Urine dip +/- culture - CXR - Swabs e.g surgical wounds - Operative site assessment (CT or US) - CSF sample from LP - Stool culture
29
When should you escalate care of a septic patient to ITU or outreach?
- Evidence of septic shock - Lactate \>4.0 mmol - Failure to improve from initial management
30
What are the causes of pyrexia in a surgical patient?
7 C's
31
What is the definition of septic shock?
Sepsis with hypotension desire adequate fluid resuscitation or needing inotropes to maintain a normal systolic b.p Need ITU input
32
What should you offer for acute pain relief in surgical patients?
- Start with simple analgesics e.g paracetamol and NSAIDs - If not working use weak opioids e.g codeine and tramadol - After a few hours if still not working consider morphine
33
How long does morphine take to work through different administration routes?
If using opiates always prescribe regular concurrent paracetamol to reduce opiate requirement Don't use combinations of weak and strong opiates 2-3 minutes IV, 20 minutes orally, 15 minutes IM
34
What is some pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment for post-operative neuropathic pain?
Often following orthopaedics or vascular surgery Due to irritation or injury directly to nerves both centrally and peripherally
35
What are the consequences of post operative nausea and vomiting?
- Increased recovery time and hospital stay - Aspiration pneumonia - Incisional hernia - Suture dehiscence - Bleeding - Oesophageal rupture - Metabolic alkalosis
36
What are some risk factors that increase a patient's chance of post-operative N+V?
**Patient Factors:** female, young age, previous PONV, motion sickness, opioid analgesics, non-smoker **Surgical Factors:** intrabdominal laparoscopic surgery, intracranial or middle ear surgery, squint surgery, gynae surgery, prolonger operative times, poor pain control post-op **Anaesthetic Factors:** opiate analgesia or spinal anaesthesia, inhalational agents, prolonged anaesthetic time, intraoperative dehydration, overuse of BVM ventilation as gastric dilatation
37
What is the pathophysiology of vomiting?
**- Vomiting centre:** in medulla oblongata **- Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone:** outside BBB near 4th ventricle so can respond to chemicals in the blood
38
How do you assess a patient with PONV?
- Are they drowsy? If so risk of aspiration so consider NG tube - What was the operation? Is it likely to cause PONV? - Which anaesthetic agents/drugs used? - What antiemetic therapy would be best?
39
What are the prophylactic measures put in place to avoid PONV?
**- Anaesthetic measures:** reduce opiates, reduce volatile gases, avoid spinal anaesthesia **- Prophylactic antiemetic therapy** **- Dexamethasone** at induction of surgery
40
What could PONV indicate in a surgical patient?
Could be sign of post-op complication like: - Ileus - Bleeding
41
What are some conservative measures taken to prevent PONV?
- Adequate fluid hydration - Adequate analgesia - Ensure no obstructive cause
42
What are some different pharmacological options for anti-emetic therapy in PONV?
Often used in combination ## Footnote **Impaired gastric emptying or stasis**: use pro-kinetics like domperidone (dopamine antagonist) or metoclopramide (dopamine antagonist) as long as no bowel obstruction **Bowel obstruction:** hyoscine hydrobromide (antimuscarinic) can reduce secretions and therefore N+V **Metabolic/Biochemical Imbalance:** metoclopramide **Opioid Induced PONV:** ondansetron (5HT3 antagonist) or cyclizine (H1 antagonist) (not in children or elderly women)
43
What is the common aetiology of post-operative pyrexia at different days after surgery?
Common in surgical patients due to underlying disease process or as post op complication. USUALLY DUE TO INFECTION **Day 1-2:** respiratory source **Day 3-5:** urinary tract source **Day 5-7:** surgical site infection or abscess formation **Any day:** infected IVs or central lines Can remember- Surfing on a WAVE, WIND blows you off, end up in WATER, have to WALK to shore, get cut so end up with WOUND, sit on the beach and WONDER
44
What are some other causes of post-operative pyrexia that are not due to infection?
**- Iatrogenic:** drug-induced reaction (e.g abx or anaesthetic agents) or transfusion reaction **- VTE:** DVT or PE will cause low grade fever **- Secondary to prosthetic implantion:** any foreign body **- Pyrexia of unknown origin**
45
What is pyrexia of unknown origin?
Recurrent fever (\>38 degrees) persisting for \>3 weeks without an obvious cause despite 1 week of inpatient investigation - Infection of unknown source - Malignancy (B symptoms from lymphoma) - Connective tissue diseases - Vasculitis - Drug reactions
46
What are some important questions to ask a patient with post-op pyrexia?
- Urinary frequency, urgency or dysuria? - Productive cough or dyspnoea? - Haemoptysis, chest pain or tender calves? - Wound or IV line tenderness or discharge?
47
What investigations should be done in a pyrexic post-operative patient?
- Sepsis screen - Blood tests (FBC, CRP, U+Es) - Urine dipstick - Cultures (blood, urine, wound swab) - CXR - If cannot identify anything on sepsis screen consider CT for anastomotic leak or Doppler US for DVT
48
How is post-operative pyrexia managed?
- Start empirical abx if infection (see image) - Increase observations - Start fluid balance and keep patient hydrated
49
What is delirium and what are the three types?
Delirium is an **acute confusional state** with **disturbed consciousness** and **reduced cognitive function** Occurs in around 15% of elderly patients after surgery
50
What are the differences between delirium and dementia?
51
What are some risk factors for delirium?
- \>65 years - Multiple co-morbidities - Underlying dementia - Renal impairment - Male gender - Sensory (hearing or visual) impairment
52
What are some common causes of delirium?
- Hypoxia (post-operatively) - Infection (UTI and LRTI) - Drug induced (benzos, diuretics, opioids, steroids) or drug withdrawal (alcohol and benzos) - Dehydration - Pain - Constipation or urinary retention - Electrolyte abnormalities
53
What is the confusion assessment method (CAM)?
Tool for identifying delirium
54
How do you assess an acutely confused post-operative patient?
Often need collateral history from relative or nurses to find out: - Onset and course of confusion? - Symptoms of possible underlying cause? - Comorbidities and baseline cognition? - Previous episodes? - Drug history (inc alcohol) Do an AMT or MMSE or CAM, neuological examination to rule out sinister pathology and review drugs and observations
55
What is a confusion screen?
Done for any post-operative patient with confusion
56
How is delirium managed?
**- Treat underlying cause** e.g nasal cannula for hypoxia, laxatives for constipation **- Nurse in appropriate environment** e.g quiet area with clocks **- Encourage oral fluid intake, analgesia and monitor bowel**s to prevent getting worse - If agitated can give **Haloperidol** 1st line or Lorazepam
57
What is the pathophysiology of atelectasis post-operatively?
- Due to a combination of **airway compression, alveolar gas resorption intraoperatively** and **impairment of surfactant production** - Due to reduced airway expansion there is an accumulation of pulmonary secretions so patients at risk of **pulmonary complications** e.g hypoxaemia, reduced lung compliance, pulmonary infections, acute respiratory failure
58
What are some risk factors for developing atelectasis after surgery?
- Age - Smoking - General anaesthesia - Duration of surgery - Pre-existing lung or neuromuscular disease - Prolonged bed res - Poor post op pain control (shallow breathing)
59
How will a surgical patient with atelectasis present?
- Increased resp rate - Reduced oxygen saturations - Fine crackles - Low grade fever
60
How do you diagnose and manage post-operative atelectasis?
**_Dx_** - Often **clinical** diagnosis especially if pt has respiratory symptoms within 24 hours of surgery - CXR and possible CT if x-ray inconclusive **_Mx_** - Deep breathing exercise and **chest physio** **- Adequate pain control** - Last resort if others dont work is bronchoscopy to suction out secretions
61
How can we prevent post-operative atelectasis?
- Refer all major surgery patients to chest physiotherapy - CPAP
62
What is the definition of pneumonia?
Lower respiratory infection with consolidation visible on x-ray
63
Why are surgical patients predisposed to developing lower respiratory tract infections?
**- Reduced chest ventilation:** especially if bedridden, leads to accumulation of fluid secretions which can get infected **- Change in commensals:** hospital has E.Coli, MRSA, S.Pneumoniae, Pseudomonas **- Debilitation from surgery** **- Intubation** **- Ventilators**
64
Why are patients on ventilators susceptible to pneumonia?
Pneumonia that occurs \>48 hours after tracheal intubation Tube interferes with effective coughing and encourages aspiration of contaminated pharyngeal fluids
65
What are some risk factors for developing hospital acquired pneumonia?
66
What are the clinical features of pneumonia?
- Cough - Dyspnea - Chest pain - Increased RR, HR and temp - Reduced O2 sats - Pyrexial - Bronchial breath sounds and inspiratory crackles - Dull percussion note
67
What are some investigations you should do if you suspect a patient has pneumonia?
- Bloods (FBC, U+Es, CRP, WBC) - ABG - Sputum sample - Blood cultures - CXR showing consolidation
68
How is HAP managed and how can it be prevented?
- O2 therapy to keep sats above 94% - Once confirmed use empirical abx (see image) - Prevent with chest physiotherapy if long bed rest or reduced mobility
69
What are some complications of pneumonia?
- Pleural effusion - Empyema - Respiratory failure - Sepsis
70
What are some risk factors for aspiration pneumonia?
- Reduced GCS due to anaesthesia - Iatrogenic interventions e.g misplaced NG - Prolonged vomiting without NG insertion - Underlying neurological disease - Oesophageal strictures - Post abdominal surgery USUALLY AFFECTS RIGHT MIDDLE OR LOWER LOBE
71
How is aspiration pneumonia managed?
- Mainly preventative by getting Speech and Language involved - If pneumonitis just supportive treatment - If pneumonia then abx therapy similar to HAP
72
What is the definition of ARDS?
**Severe hypoxemi**a in the **absence of a cardiogenic cause.** Occurs when there is inflammatory damage to the alveoli, which leads to **pulmonary oedema, respiratory compromise** and **acute respiratory failure**
73
What are some direct and indirect causes of ARDS?
74
What is the pathophysiology of ARDS?
**1. Exudative Phase:** diffuse alveolar damage due to initial tissue injury. Cytokines and inflammatory mediators are released causing alveolar and endothelial injury **2. Proliferative Phase:** restoration of alveolar capillary membrane integrity by fibroblasts and type 2 pneumoncytes, new surfactant is made **3. Fibrotic Phase:** fibrin deposition across the lungs causing scarring, leads to need for long term oxygen
75
What are the clinical features of ARDS and what are some differentials to conside?
- Worsening dyspnoea with acute onset (\<7 days) - Hypoxia and tachypnoea - Inspiratory crackles **Differentials:** congestive heart failure, interstitial lung disease, drug induced lung injury
76
What are some investigations done when ARDS is suspected?
- ABG - Routine bloods (FBC, U+Es, amylase, CRP) - CXR (shows bilateral infiltrates) - ECG (rule out cardiogenic cause)
77
What are the management principles of ARDS?
1. Supportive treatment with ventilation 2. Focused treatment of the underlying cause All treatment done to limit inflammatory cascade and therefore reduce alveolar injury
78
What are some risk factors for a surgical site infection?
- Patient factors - Operation factors
79
How does a surgical site infection present?
Usually 5-7 days post op but can occur up to 3 weeks later - Spreading erythema - Localised pain - Pus or discharge from the wound - Wound dehiscence - Persistent pyrexia
80
How are surgical site infections investigated and managed?
**_Ix_** **- Wound swab and culture**, avoiding wound edges due to skin flora **- Blood tests** for infection markers (FBC and CRP) **- Blood cultures** if systemic involvement **_Mx_** **- Remove any sutures or clips** to allow pus to drain **- Empirical abx** based on local guidelines
81
How are surgical site infections prevented?
**_Preoperatively_** ## Footnote - Prophylactic abx if indicated - Do not routinely remove hair, if have to do immediately before surgery - Advice patient to shower before surgery, optimal nutrition, weight loss, diabetic control **_Intraoperatively_** - Prepare skin before incision with antiseptic either povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine - Change gloves or gown if contaminated - Interactive dressing at the end of the operation to cover all incisions **_Postoperatively_** - Monitor wounds closely and use see through dressings to prevent having to change a lot - Ensure that wounds in difficult areas e.g groin are closely monitored - Refer to tissue viability nurse if secondary intention healing occuring - Topical abx
82
What are some risk factors for developing an anastomotic leak (leak of luminal contents from surgical join)?
**_Patient Factors:_** - Medication (steroids and immunosuppressants) - Smoking or alcohol excess - Diabetes - Obesity or malnutrition **_Surgical Factors:_** - Emergency surgery - Longer intraoperative time - Peritoneal contamination - Oesophageal gastric or rectal anastomosis
83
What are the clinical features of a patient with an anastomotic leak?
- Abdominal pain - Fear - Delirium - Prolong ileus - May be pyrexial, tachycardia and peritonitic on examination Uusally 5-7 days post-op. Any patient with GI surgery not progressing or sepsis consider anastomotic leak
84
What investigations should you do if you suspect an anastomotic leak?
- CT scan abdo/pelvis with contrast - Urgent bloods and clotting screen - VBG - Repeat G+S as may need another surgery or radiological drainage
85
How do you manage an anastomotic leak?
URGENT SENIOR REVIEW **Initially:** Make patient NBM, start broad spectrum abx, start IV fluids, insert urinary catheter for fluid balance **Definitive:** If minor \<5cm collection usually IV abx, if larger need percutaneous drainage if possible. If septic exploratory laparotomy with extensive wash out and large drain insertion Consider parenteral nutrition as may need to be NBM for long time
86
What are some risk factors for post-operative ileus?
Common in abdominal surgery and pelvic orthopaedic surgery
87
How does post-op ileus present?
Similar to bowel obstruction as technically functional bowel obstruction - Failure to pass flatus or faeces - Bloating or distension - Nausea and vomiting - Absent bowel sounds (not tinkling like mechanical)
88
What is the definition of post-operative ileus and how is it investigated if suspected?
Deceleration or arrest in intestinal motility following surgery **- Routine bloods** (FBC, CRP, U+Es, Ca, PO4, Mg) - **CT scan abdo/pelvis** with contrast to rule out anastomotic leaks and collections
89
How is post-op ileus managed?
- NBM - IV fluids and fluid balance chart - Daily bloods inc electroltes to check for AKI as can cause third space losses - Encourage mobilisation - Reduce opiates WARN PATIENT FIRST FEW STOOLS MAY BE WATERY AFTER ILEUS
90
What are some prophylactic measures taken to prevent post-op ileus?
91
What are some complications of adhesions from surgery?
- Small bowel obstruction - Female infertility - Chronic pelvic pain Adhesions are asymptomatic, it is the effect of them that present with clinical features
92
How are bowel adhesions managed when they cause a small bowel obstruction?
**_Conservative (if uncomplicated obstruction)_** - Tube decompression - NBM - IV fluids - Adequate analgesia **_Surgical (if above failed or ischaemia or perforation)_** - Adhesiolysis only of adhesions causing obstruction - Usually laparoscopic but can switch to open
93
How can adhesion formation in abdominal surgery be prevented?
- Correct surgical technique - Reduce intraperitoeal organ handling
94
What are some risk factors for developing an incisionial hernia post abdominal surgery?
- Emergency surgery - Wound type - BMI\>25 - Midline incision - Wound infection - Preoperative chemotherapy - Intraoperative blood transfusion - Advancing age - Pregnancy - Smoking
95
How does an incisional hernia present?
- Non-pulsatile, reducible, soft and non-tender swelling at or near site of previous surgical wound If incarcerated will show signs of bowel obstruction e.g N+V, abdominal distension, absolute constipation Clinical diagnosis!!
96
How are incisional hernias managed?
- If asymptomatic just conservative - Suture repair if small - Laparoscopic or open mesh repair
97
What are some complications of incisional hernia repair?
- Bowel injury - Seroma formation - Recurrence - Chronic pain due to tension in mesh and nerve entrapment
98
What is the aetiology of constipation on a surgical ward?
\<3 bowel movements a week that are hard, dry and difficult to pass - Postop ileus - Bowel obstruction
99
What investigations need to be when a patient has constipation on a surgical ward?
**- DRE** to assess degree of faecal impaction **- Usually clinical diagnosis** - If treatment resistant to bloods TFTs and CA - Only request imaging if suspect bowel obstruction
100
How is post-operative constipation managed?
**Conservative:** sufficient dietary fibre, treat underlying cause, hydration, early mobilisation **Pharmacological:** laxatives, usually if hard stool give stool softening and glycerin suppository to help soften stool initially. If post-op ileus, opioid induced or soft stool need stimulant laxative **Last resort:** manual evacuation or enema
101
How can you prevent post-operative constipation?
- Avoid opioids - Prophylactic stimulant laxatives for patients on opioids e.g senna
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