Surgical Semiology Lecture 1-7

Surgery

The art or practice of treating injuries, deformities, and disorders through manual operations or instruments.

Ambroise Paré

A renowned surgeon who advocated for ligating individual blood vessels for controlling hemorrhage.

Andreas Vesalius

Contributed significantly to human anatomy, known for his publication, De humani corporis fabrica.

Beneficence

An ethical obligation for surgeons to act in the best interest of the patient.

Nonmalfeasance

The principle emphasizing the importance of not causing harm to patients.

Antisepsis

Measures taken to kill or remove microbes from surgical fields, skin, and wounds.

Asepsis

Preventive measures to avoid germ contact with patients and surgical wounds.

Full Blood Count (FBC)

The most common investigation in surgical patients, assessing hemoglobin levels and platelet counts.

Sensitivity

The ability of a test to correctly identify patients with an abnormality.

Specificity

The ability of a test to correctly identify individuals without the abnormality.

Elective Patients

Patients with non-urgent conditions requiring surgical intervention, often planned in advance.

Emergency Patients

Patients presenting with acute issues requiring immediate evaluation and treatment.

Trendelenburg Position

The bed is tilted downwards for pelvic surgeries or to improve venous return.

Reverse Trendelenburg Position

The head of the bed is tilted upwards, suitable for upper abdominal surgery.

Lateral Position

Optimal for kidney and thoracic surgeries, requiring careful securing to maintain spinal alignment.

Joseph Lister

Pioneered the use of antiseptics in surgery, greatly reducing infection rates.

John Hunter

Utilized experimental methods to explore surgical diseases, linking structure and function of organs.

Sterilization

Complete destruction of all germs, including viruses and spores.

Disinfection

Reduces viable microorganisms but may not inactivate all viruses and spores.

Pulmonary Artery Pressure

A critical measurement in invasive monitoring for assessing hemodynamic status.

Endotracheal Intubation

The procedure involving the placement of a tube into the trachea to secure an open airway.

Aspiration of Stomach Contents

The risk of regurgitating stomach contents into the lungs during anesthesia.

Elective Patients

Patients with non-urgent conditions requiring surgical intervention, often planned in advance.

Emergency Patients

Patients presenting with acute issues requiring immediate evaluation and treatment.

Trendelenburg Position

The bed is tilted downwards for pelvic surgeries or to improve venous return.

Reverse Trendelenburg Position

The head of the bed is tilted upwards, suitable for upper abdominal surgery.

Lateral Position

Optimal for kidney and thoracic surgeries, requiring careful securing to maintain spinal alignment.

What is the role of a surgeon?

Surgeons treat injuries, deformities, and disorders through manual operations or instruments.

What did Ambroise Paré contribute to surgery?

He was a renowned surgeon who advocated for ligating individual blood vessels to control hemorrhage.

Who is Andreas Vesalius and what is his significance?

He contributed significantly to human anatomy and is known for his publication, De humani corporis fabrica.

What does beneficence mean in surgical ethics?

It is the ethical obligation for surgeons to act in the best interest of the patient.

What is the principle of nonmalfeasance?

It emphasizes the importance of not causing harm to patients.

What is antisepsis?

Measures taken to kill or remove microbes from surgical fields, skin, and wounds.

Define asepsis in surgery.

Asepsis involves preventive measures to avoid germ contact with patients and surgical wounds.

What is a Full Blood Count (FBC)?

The most common investigation in surgical patients, assessing hemoglobin levels and platelet counts.

What does sensitivity refer to in testing?

The ability of a test to correctly identify patients with an abnormality.

What is specificity in the context of medical tests?

The ability of a test to correctly identify individuals without the abnormality.

What are elective patients?

Patients with non-urgent conditions requiring surgical intervention, often planned in advance.

Define emergency patients.

Patients presenting with acute issues requiring immediate evaluation and treatment.

What is the Trendelenburg Position used for?

It is used for pelvic surgeries or to improve venous return by tilting the bed downwards.

Explain the Reverse Trendelenburg Position.

The head of the bed is tilted upwards, which is suitable for upper abdominal surgery.

What is the lateral position in surgery?

The optimal position for kidney and thoracic surgeries, requiring careful securing to maintain spinal alignment.

Who was Joseph Lister?

He pioneered the use of antiseptics in surgery, greatly reducing infection rates.

What did John Hunter contribute to surgical practices?

He utilized experimental methods to explore surgical diseases and linked structure and function of organs.

What does sterilization mean?

Complete destruction of all germs, including viruses and spores.

Define disinfection in the surgical context.

It reduces viable microorganisms but may not inactivate all viruses and spores.

What is pulmonary artery pressure?

It is a critical measurement in invasive monitoring for assessing hemodynamic status.

Describe endotracheal intubation.

The procedure involving the placement of a tube into the trachea to secure an open airway.

What is the risk associated with aspiration of stomach contents?

There is a risk of regurgitating stomach contents into the lungs during anesthesia.

Elective Patients

Patients with non-urgent conditions requiring surgical intervention, often planned in advance.

Emergency Patients

Patients presenting with acute issues requiring immediate evaluation and treatment.

Trendelenburg Position

The bed is tilted downwards for pelvic surgeries or to improve venous return.

Reverse Trendelenburg Position

The head of the bed is tilted upwards, suitable for upper abdominal surgery.

Lateral Position

Optimal for kidney and thoracic surgeries, requiring careful securing to maintain spinal alignment.

Beneficence

An ethical obligation for surgeons to act in the best interest of the patient.

Nonmalfeasance

The principle emphasizing the importance of not causing harm to patients.

What are the principal surgical techniques utilized in advanced laparoscopic procedures?

These include the use of 3D visualization, advanced suturing techniques, and electrosurgery for tissue manipulation.

Discuss the significance of comprehensive post-operative care in minimizing surgical complications.

Post-operative care includes monitoring vital signs, managing pain effectively, and preventing infection through sterile practices.

What ethical considerations are involved in obtaining informed consent for surgical interventions?

Ethical considerations include ensuring the patient's understanding of risks, benefits, alternatives, and respecting patient autonomy.

Elaborate on the different types of anesthesia and their implications in surgical practices.

Types include general, regional, and local anesthesia, each with specific indications, risks, and management strategies.

Describe the advancements in laparoscopic surgery that have enhanced patient outcomes.

Advancements include single-incision laparoscopic surgery, improved optics, and enhanced surgical instruments that reduce recovery time.

How do robotic surgical systems improve precision in complex surgical procedures?

Robotic systems improve precision through enhanced dexterity, 3D visualization, and the ability to perform minimally invasive maneuvers.

What best practices are involved in post-operative wound care to prevent complications?

Best practices include regular assessment for signs of infection, maintaining cleanliness, and using appropriate dressings.

Explain the role of surgical teams and interprofessional collaboration during complex surgeries.

Effective collaboration enhances communication, ensures comprehensive patient care, and reduces the likelihood of errors.

What protocols are critical in ensuring patient safety during surgical procedures?

Protocols include the surgical safety checklist, correct site surgery verification, and continuous monitoring of the patient.

Analyze how the surgical recovery process can be optimized through rehabilitation protocols.

Optimizing recovery involves early mobilization, tailored physiotherapy, and continuous assessment to promote healing.

What is surgical asepsis?

A surgical asepsis refers to the practices designed to create and maintain a sterile field to prevent contamination during surgery.

Define the role of the anesthesiologist in surgical procedures.

An anesthesiologist is responsible for administering anesthesia, monitoring the patient's vital signs, and managing pain before, during, and after surgery.

What are common post-operative complications?

Common post-operative complications include infection, bleeding, blood clots, and respiratory issues.

Explain the importance of informed consent in surgery.

Informed consent is crucial as it ensures that patients understand the risks, benefits, and alternatives to the proposed surgical procedure.

What is the purpose of a surgical safety checklist?

The surgical safety checklist is used to ensure that critical steps in the surgical process are followed to enhance patient safety and reduce errors.

Discuss the role of nutrition in surgical recovery.

Proper nutrition is essential for healing, as it supports the immune system and tissue repair following surgery.

What is the significance of pre-operative assessment?

Pre-operative assessment is vital for identifying risk factors, planning personalized care, and ensuring the patient's preparedness for surgery.