General Surgery Notes

Table of Contents
Acknowledgment ................................................................................................................... i
Table of Contents .................................................................................................................. ii
Chapter One: Shock............................................................................................................. 1

Introduction ................................................................................................. 1
Classification .............................................................................................. 1
Patho Physiology of Shock ......................................................................... 2
Management of Shock ................................................................................ 3
Complications of Shock .............................................................................. 4
Chapter Two: Fluid and Electolytes ..................................................................................... 5

Introduction ................................................................................................. 5
Normal Distribution of Body Fluids.............................................................. 5
Disturbances of Fluid and Electrolytes........................................................ 7
Acid – Base Balance ................................................................................... 12
Review Questions ....................................................................................... 15
References .................................................................................................. 16
Chapter Three: Blood Transfusion ....................................................................................... 17

Indications for Blood Transfusion ............................................................... 17
Compatibility Tests ...................................................................................... 17
Component Therapy ................................................................................... 18
References .................................................................................................. 22
Chapter Four: Pre-Operative and Post-Operative Care ...................................................... 23

Introduction ................................................................................................. 23
General Consideration ............................................................................... 23
Assessment and Minimization of Surgical Risks ........................................ 24
Post-Operative Care, Complications and Their Treatment ......................... 26
Post Operative Intestinal Obstruction ......................................................... 31
Hematoma, Abscess and Seromas ............................................................ 33
References .................................................................................................. 35
Chapter Five: Aseptic and Antisepic Techniques ................................................................ 36

Introduction ................................................................................................. 36
Choice of Antiseptic ................................................................................... 37
References .................................................................................................. 42
Chapter Six: Suture Materials and Suturing......................................................................... 43

Types of Suture Materials ........................................................................... 43
Suturing Techniques ................................................................................... 44
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Chapter Seven: Wounds- Wound Healing and Care ........................................................... 47
Introduction ................................................................................................. 47
Wound Healing............................................................................................ 47
Wound Assessment and Classification ....................................................... 49
Wound Management ................................................................................... 50
Crush and Avulsion Wounds....................................................................... 53
Wound Complications ................................................................................. 55
Key To the Review Questions ..................................................................... 59
References .................................................................................................. 60
Chapter Eight: Surgical Infections ........................................................................................ 61

Introduction ................................................................................................. 61
Classification .............................................................................................. 62
Pathogenesis .............................................................................................. 62
Specific Types of Infections ........................................................................ 64
Key To the Review Questions ..................................................................... 75
References .................................................................................................. 76
Chapter Nine: Trauma.......................................................................................................... 77

Introduction ................................................................................................. 77
Treatment Priorities ..................................................................................... 78
Road Traffic Accidents ................................................................................ 79
Firearm Injuries ........................................................................................... 80
BURN INJURIES......................................................................................... 81
References .................................................................................................. 85
Head and Spinal Injuries ............................................................................ 86

Head Injury .................................................................................................. 86
Brain Injuries ............................................................................................... 87
Spinal Cord Injuries ..................................................................................... 90
References .................................................................................................. 93
Chapter Ten: Orthopedic Surgery ........................................................................................ 94

Introduction ................................................................................................. 94
Infections of Bones and Joints .................................................................... 94
Fractures ..................................................................................................... 97
Dislocations ................................................................................................. 102
Amputations ................................................................................................ 103
References .................................................................................................. 106
Chapter Eleven: Anesthesia................................................................................................. 107

Pre-Anesthetic Patient Evaluation and Preparation.................................... 107
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CHAPTER ONE
SHOCK
Learning Objectives
At the end of this chapter, each student should be able to:
• State the clinical definition of shock

• List the chief characteristics and causes of all types of shock
• Describe the clinical symptoms and signs that are indicative of shock
• List the immediate treatment measures to prevent complications
Introduction
Shock is a life-threatening condition which occurs when the circulatory system fails to deliver
oxygen and nutrients to the body tissues and becomes unable to remove waste products
from the body. It is a descriptive term based on the symptoms and signs secondary to one or
more of a wide range of problems. If not recognized and corrected as early as possible,
shock may rapidly progress to an irreversible state with subsequent multi-organ failure and
death.
DEFINITION
Shock is defined as a pathological state causing inadequate oxygen delivery to the
peripheral tissues and resulting in lactic acidosis, cellular hypoxia and disruption of normal
metabolic condition.
CLASSIFICATION
Shock is generally classified into three major categories:
1. Hypovolemic shock
2. Cardiogenic shock
3. Distributive shock
Distributive shock is further subdivided into three subgroups:
a. Septic shock
b. Neurogenic shock
c. Anaphylactic shock
Hypovolemic shock is present when marked reduction in oxygen delivery

results from diminished cardiac output secondary to inadequate vascular volume.
In general, it results from loss of fluid from circulation, either directly or indirectly.
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e.g. ▪ Hemorrhage
Loss of plasma due to burns
Loss of water and electrolytes in diarrhea
Third space loss (Internal fluid shift into inflammatory exudates in
the peritoneum, such as in pancreatitis.)
Cardiogenic shock is present when there is severe reduction in oxygen delivery

secondary to impaired cardiac function. Usually it is due to myocardial infarction
or pericardial tamponade.
Septic Shock (vasogenic shock) develops as a result of the systemic effect of

infection. It is the result of a septicemia with endotoxin and exotoxin release by
gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Despite normal or increased cardiac
output and oxygen delivery, cellular oxygen consumption is less than normal due
to impaired extraction as a result of impaired metabolism.
Neurogenic shock results primarily from the disruption of the sympathetic

nervous system which may be due to pain or loss of sympathetic tone, as in
spinal cord injuries.
PATHO PHYSIOLOGY OF SHOCK

Shock stimulates a physiologic response. This circulatory response to hypotension is to
conserve perfusion to the vital organs (heart and brain) at the expense of other tissues.
Progressive vasoconstriction of skin, splanchnic and renal vessels leads to renal cortical
necrosis and acute renal failure. If not corrected in time, shock leads to organ failure and
sets up a vicious circle with hypoxia and acidosis.
CLINICAL FEATURES
The clinical presentation varies according to the cause. But in general patients with
hypotension and reduced tissue perfusion presents with:
Tachycardia
Feeble pulse
Narrow pulse pressure
Cold extremities (except septic shock)
Sweating, anxiety
Breathlessness / Hyperventilation
Confusion leading to unconscious state
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Summary: Clinical features of hypovolemic shock in adults with estimated volume loss.
Estimated blood loss 750-1500ml 1500ml-2000ml >2000 ml
Blood pressure Normal Reduced Severely Reduced

Pulse rate >100/min >120/m >140/m
very feeble
Capillary refill Slow Slow Undetectable
Respiratory rate 20-30/m 30-40/m >35/m
Urinary flow rate 20-30/hr 10-20/hr 0-10/hr
(Normal: 30-60 ml/hr or 0.5-
1ml/kg/hr)
Mental state(CNS) Anxious confused Lethargic, comatose
MANAGEMENT OF SHOCK
Treatment is aimed at restoring oxygen delivery to the cells of vital organs as rapidly as
possible. The management depends on the cause and type of shock.
General Management
• Monitor the airway, breathing and circulation as first priority
• Stop bleeding
• Fluid resuscitation, preferably crystalloids
• Head down position
• Treat the cause
• Transfusion of compatible blood if indicated
• Oxygen and other supportive measures like inotropic agents
• Monitoring of resuscitation effectiveness: e.g. determine hourly urine output,
blood pressure and pulse rate
Specific Management
Hypovolemic Shock: The goal of treatment is to restore vascular volume. This is
effected by:
General approach as above
Fluid and blood replacement
Oxygen support etc.
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Septic Shock
Initial management as above
Appropriate antibiotics especially for gram-negative microorganisms
Inotropic support such as adrenaline and dopamine
Surgical eradication of the infection focus
Cardiogenic shock
Inotropes
Treat the causes
Etc.
Neurogenic shock
Pain relief
Treat the causes, give supportive measures like inotropic support
COMPLICATIONS OF SHOCK
The main complications of severe shock include:
1. Shock lung (ARDS)
2. Acute renal failure
3. Gastrointestinal ulceration
4. Disseminated intravascular clotting
5. Multiorgan failure
6. Death
Therefore, a patient in shock requires immediate emergency treatment. Early diagnosis and
immediate correction of shock prevents permanent organ damage and death.
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CHAPTER TWO
FLUID AND ELECTOLYTES
Learning Objective
At the end of this chapter, the learner should know:
• The anatomy and physiology of body fluids and electrolytes

• The common fluid and electrolyte changes, their causes and management
• The common acid base imbalances and their treatment
Introduction
Knowledge about fluid electrolyte and acid base changes and their management is basic to
the care of the surgical patient. Many disease processes result in changes that could result
in rapid deterioration of the patient and death. Anyone caring for surgical patients should
have a basic knowledge of fluid, electrolyte, acid and base disturbances, as well as their
causes and their management.
DEFINITIONS
Moles or millimoles: number of particles present per unit volume
Equivalents or milliequivalents: number of electric charges per unit volume.
Osmoles or milliosmoles: number of osmotically active particles or ions per unit volume.
A mole of a substance is the molecular weight of that substance in grams. An equivalent of

an ion is its atomic weight expressed in grams divided by the valence. In case of univalent
ions, one milliequivalent (meq) is the same as one millimole. In case of divalent ions such as
calcium or magnesium, one mole equals two meq. When the osmotic pressure of a solution
is considered, it is more descriptive to use units of osmole or milliosmole.
These units refer to the actual number of osmotically active particles present in solution but
they are not dependent on the chemical combining capacities of the substances. Thus, a
millimole of sodium chloride which dissociated into sodium and chloride contributes 2
milliosmole.
NORMAL DISTRIBUTION OF BODY FLUIDS
Total body water
The total body water constitutes 50 – 85% of total body weight depending on age and lean
body mass (muscle mass). In regard to this, 55% - 60% of body weight for a 70 Kg young
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man is water. Females have lower body water (45 –60%) because of the high fat content of
their body. The total body water in neonates is 80%-85%, which is higher than in adults.
Total body water is further divided into two:

1. Intracellular fluid, comprising 2/3 of total body water
2. Extra cellular fluid, comprising 1/3 of total body water. The extra cellular fluid is
sub divided into Intravascular (plasma) comprising 2/3 of extra cellular fluid and
Interstitial which comprises 1/3 of extra cellular fluid.
N.B. Physiologically all compartments of body water are interdependent.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF BODY FLUID COMPARTMENTS
CATIONS ANIONS CATIONS ANIONS CATIONS ANIONS

154meq/l 154 meq/L
C 200 meq/L 200 meq/L 154meq/l 154 meq/L
103 NA+ 144 CL 114 K+ 150 HPO4=
+
NA 142 HC3- 27 HCO3- 30 So4= 150
SO4- 3 SO4- 3
PO4
-
PO4- Mg ++ 40 HCOc3- 10
k+ 4 ORGANIC K+ Organic
ca ++ 5 ACID 5 Ca++ 3 Acid 5 Na+ Protein 40
Mg ++ 3 Protein 16 Mg ++ protein 1
Plasma Intracellular fluid Interstitial fluid
AVERAGE DAILY WATER EXCHANGE
Out put Urine: 1500 ml

Insensible loss: 1000 ml (up to 1700 in hot climate)
Stool: 200 ml
Total: 2700-3400ml
Intake Endogenous: 200 ml (from oxidation of ingested food.)
Net requirement: 2500-3200
N.B: A minimum urinary output of approximately 400 ml in 24 hours is required to excrete

the end products of metabolism.
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Commonly available replacement fluids
Ions Carbohydrate Used for replacement of

(millimol per liter) (gram per liter)
+ +
Fluid Na Cl Ka
Physiologic saline 154 154 0 0 Blood/ extra cellular fluid loss

( Normal saline)
Hartmann’s solution 131 112 5 0 Blood, intracellular fluid loss
( Ringer’s lactate)
(Contains lactate and
calcium) 0 0 0 50 Maintenance and for medication
5% glucose in water
(D/W)
DISTURBANCES OF FLUID AND ELECTROLYTES
CLASSIFICATION
Disturbances in body fluids can be classified into three:

• Disturbance in fluid volume
• Disturbance in composition
• Disturbance in acid base balance
DISTURBANCE IN FLUID VOLUME

Volume deficit
Extra cellular fluid (ECF) volume deficit is the most common fluid volume disorder in the
surgical patient. The lost fluid is not water alone, but water and electrolytes in approximately
the same proportion as they exist in normal extra cellular fluid.
Causes
• Losses of gastro-intestinal fluids: e.g. vomiting, gastric tube, diarrhea and entero-
cutaneous fistulas
• Sequestration or loss of fluid in soft tissue injuries and infections such as burns
• Intra-abdominal and retroperitoneal inflammatory processes such as peritonitis,
intestinal obstruction, etc.
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Clinical feature
Depends on the severity of fluid loss
Moderate (5-10%): sleepiness, orthostatic hypotension
Severe (more than 15%): signs of hypotension, stupor or coma, sunken eye balls,
dry oral mucosa and tongue, poor skin turgor and decrease in body
temperature.
Treatment
Placement of extra cellular loss with fluid of similar composition:
Blood loss: Replace with Ringer’s Lactate, Normal Saline or Blood, if needed
Extra cellular fluid: Replace with Ringer’s Lactate, Normal Saline
Rate of fluid replacement

The Rate depends on the degree of dehydration. It should be fast until the vital signs
are corrected and adequate urine output is achieved. One liter over 30 minutes to one
hour can be given for severe dehydration.
Monitoring
The general condition and the vital signs of the patient should be followed.
The urine out put should be monitored hourly.
Auscultate the chest to follow overload especially in children and the elderly.
Volume Excess
Extra cellular fluid volume excess is generally iatrogenic or secondary to renal insufficiency,
cirrhosis, or congestive heart failure.
Clinical feature
Subcutaneous edema, basilar rales on chest auscultation, distention of peripheral veins, and
functional murmurs may be detected. Children, the elderly, patients with cardiac or renal
problems are at increased risk of dangers of fluid replacement.
Treatment
Stop IV fluids (Fluid restriction)
Diuretics: e.g. frusemide
DISTURBANCE IN ELECTROLYTES
Even though there can be disturbance in any of the electrolytes, the most commonly
encountered ones are discussed here.
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Sodium (Na+)
• It is the most abundant caution of the extra cellular fluid
• After trauma and surgery, there is a period of shut down of sodium excretion for up to
48 hours. During this period, it may not be advisable to administer large quantities of
isotonic saline.
• The concentration of serum sodium is not related to the volume status of extra-
cellular fluid. A severe volume deficit may exist with a normal low or high serum level.
• Daily requirement of sodium is one millimol/kg. The excretion of sodium by the
kidneys is under the control of aldosterone.
Sodium depletion (Hyponatremia): Na+ less than 130 milliequivalent/liter

Hyponatremia can be associated with
1. Volume depletion, sodium and water depletion. Most frequent cause of sodium
and water depletion in surgery is small intestinal obstruction. Duodenal, Biliary,
pancreatic and high intestinal fistula are also causes of hyponatremia.
2. Water intoxication with excess volume and edema, over-prescribing of
intravenous 5% D/W and colorectal washouts with plain water
Clinical feature
It can present with signs and symptoms of either fluid excess or fluid overload
depending on the primary cause.
Laboratory:
Serum sodium and other electrolytes, hematocrit drops
Treatment
Ringer’s Lactate or Normal Saline In cases of volume depletion.
Fluid restriction and sodium sparing diuretics In case of fluid excess.
Sodium Excess (Hypernatremia): Na+ more than 145 mmol
Causes
Excessive water loss in burns or sweating, insensible losses through the lungs.
Excess amount of 0.9% saline solution is given IV during the early operative period
where there is some degree of retention of sodium.
Clinical feature
Depending on the cause it can be of fluid excess or fluid deficit.
Treatment
5% D/W can be infused slowly
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Potassium (K+)
Potassium is the most abundant intracellular cation. 98% of potassium is found intracellular
with ¾ of the total body potassium in skeletal muscles. The average daily requirement is 1
mmol/kg.
Potassium depletion (Hypokalemia): K + less than 3.5 millimol
Causes
1. Loss in gastrointestinal secretions such as vomiting in GOO or diarrhea
2. Movement of potassium into cells e.g. in alkalosis
3. Prolonged administration of potassium free parenteral fluids with continued
obligatory renal loss of potassium
4. Excessive renal excretion – e.g. Diuretic use.
Clinical features
Most patients are asymptomatic. Clinical symptoms and signs such as listlessness,
slurred speech, muscular hypotonia, and depressed reflexes are presenting features.
Abdominal distention results due to paralytic ileus.
Treatment
Oral potassium in the form of milk, meat extracts, fruit juices, honey and KCl tablets
40 mmol KCl IV added to 1 liter of fluid run over 6 -8 hours. Never directly IV.
Correct the underlying cause
N.B.:- Administration should be properly controlled, the level of potassium should be
checked daily and the urine out put must be adequate.
Potassium Excess (Hyperkalemia): K + more than 5 mmol

Significant quantity of intracellular potassium is released into the extra cellular space
in response to severe injury, surgery, acidosis and a catabolic state. A significant rise
in serum potassium concentration may occur in these states in the presence of
oliguric or anuric renal failure. A renal insufficiency with hypoaldosteronism can
cause hyperkalemia.
Clinical features
Nausea, vomiting, intermittent intestinal colic and diarrhea are the presenting
pictures. Cardiovascular signs are apparent on ECG with high peaked T waves,
widened QRS complex and depressed ST segment. Disappearance of T waves,
heart block and cardiac arrest may develop with increasing levels of potassium.
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Treatment
Measures to reduce K+ level:
Administration of bicarbonate and glucose with insulin. 10 to 20 units of regular
insulin and 25 to 50 g of glucose can be used.
10 ml of 10% calcium gluconate to suppress the myocardial effect
Enteral administration of cation exchange resign (Kayexalate).
Dialysis
Avoid exogenous potassium
Calcium (Ca++)
Normal serum level is 8.5 to 10 .5 mg/dl. An increase in pH causes a fall in the ionized
proportion of calcium. Calcium imbalance is not frequently encountered.
Hypocalcaemia (serum level below 8mg/dl)

Common causes include:
Hypoparathyroidism after thyroid surgery
Acute pancreatitis
Massive soft tissue infection (necrotizing fascitis) and
Pancreatic and small bowel fistulas
Clinical feature
Latent hypocalcemia: Positive Chovestek’s and Trousseu’s sign.
Symptomatic: Numbness and tingling, hyperactive tendon reflexes, muscle and
abdominal cramp, tetany with carpopedal spasm and convulsions.
Treatment
IV Calcium gluconate (10ml of 10% solution over 10 minute) or calcium chloride.
Calcium lactate may be given orally with or without Vitamin D.
Hypercalcaemia (serum calcium over10.5mg/dl)

Hypercalcaemia occurs with hyperparathyroidism, Vitamin D intoxication, cancer and
prolonged immobilization. It is uncommon in surgical patients.
Clinical feature
Most are asymptomatic. Symptoms can include fatigue, lassitude, weakness of varying
degree, anorexia, nausea and vomiting. Other symptoms include severe headaches,
pain in the back and extremities, thirst, polydypsia and polyuria.
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Treatment
A serum level of calcium of 15 mg/dl or higher requires emergency treatment.
Vigorous volume repletion with salt solutions.
Oral or IV inorganic phosphate or mithramycin.
ACID – BASE BALABCE

Normally, the blood pH lies within the range of 7.36-7.44. The control of this tight balance is
accomplished by:
• Blood buffer:- which includes the bicarbonate and carbonic acid, phosphates ,serum
proteins and meth-hemoglobin( play a greatest role from the blood
buffers)
• The lung:- excretes acid(CO2 )
• Kidney :- the ultimate organ to maintain imbalance to near normal by its capacity to
excrete both acid and base.
Alkalosis (accumulation of Base or loss of acid)
Metabolic Alkalosis
Causes
• Loss of acid from the stomach by repeated vomiting or aspiration
• Excessive ingestion of absorbable alkali
• Hypokalemic alkalosis in patients with pyloric stenosis: potassium loss due to
repeated vomiting.
Clinical Features
• Cheyne-stokes respiration with periods of apnea
• Tetany sometime occurs.
Treatment
• Repletion of volume + potassium (check urine output )
• Use of 0.1 N or 0.2 N HCl is also effective in treatment of resistant metabolic
alkalosis.
Respiratory Alkalosis (PCO2 below the normal range of 31 – 42 mmHg)
Causes
Most common cause is excessive pulmonary ventilation by anesthetized patients in surgical
practice. It can also be caused by hyperventilation due to severe pain, hyper pyrexia and
high altitude.
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Clinical Features
The dangers of a severe respiratory alkalosis are those related to potassium depletion and
include the development of ventricular arrhythmias and fibrillation.
Treatment
Can be corrected by breathing into a plastic bag, or insufflation of carbon dioxide.
Acidosis (accumulation of acid or loss of base)
Metabolic Acidosis
Causes
Increase in fixed acids due to:
• Anaerobic tissue metabolism (shock, infection, tissue injury)
• Retention of metabolites in renal insufficiency
• Formation of ketone bodies in diabetes or starvation
Loss of bases in:
Chronic diarrhea, gastro colic or high intestinal fistula, excess intestinal aspiration
Clinical Features
Besides signs and symptoms of the primary etiology like shock and infection,
rapid, deep, noisy breathing is found. The urine becomes strongly acidic.
Treatment
Tissue hypoxia should be treated by reperfusion
Sodium bicarbonate can be given where bases have been lost or where the
degree of acidosis is so severe that myocardial function is compromised.
Respiratory Acidosis
Causes
Impaired alveolar ventilation due to:
- Airway obstruction
- Thoracic and upper abdominal incisions, abdominal distention in ileus
- Pulmonary diseases (pneumonia, atelectasis especially post operative
- Inadequate ventilation of the anesthetized patient
Clinical Features
Restlessness, hypertension and tachycardia may indicate inadequate ventilation with
hypercapnia.
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Treatment
Must focus on relieving the primary cause.
Relieving airway obstruction, adequate analgesia, and draining pleural effusion are
some of the definitive measures.
Intubation and mechanical ventilation may be used in severe cases.
ACID BASE BALANCE SUMMARY

Type of
Acid-Base
Disorder Defect Common Causes Compensation
Respiratory Retention of Respiratory center Renal
acidosis CO2 depression: morphine, Retention of bicarbonate,
(Decreased CNS injury, excretion of acid salts,
alveolar Pulmonary disease: increased ammonia
ventilation) emphysema, pneumonia formation
Chloride shift into red cells
Respiratory Excessive Hyperventilation: Renal
alkalosis loss of CO2 Emotional Excretion of bicarbonate,
(increased Severe pain decreased excretion of acid
alveolar Assisted ventilation slats decreased ammonia
ventilation) Encephalitis formation
Metabolic Retention of Diabetes, Pulmonary (rapid)
acidosis fixed acids or Azotemia, Increased rate and depth of
Loss of base Lactic acid accumulation, breathing
bicarbonate Starvation. Renal (slow)
Diarrhea, As in respiratory acidosis
Small-bowel fistula
Metabolic Loss of fixed Vomiting Pulmonary (rapid)
alkalosis acids Gastric suction Decrease rate and depth of
Gain of base (pyloric obstruction) breathing
bicarbonate Excessive bicarbonate Renal (slow)
Potassium intake As in respiratory alkalosis
depletion Diuretics
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Review Questions
1. What types of acids base balance and electrolyte changes will a patient with GOO
have? Which kind of fluid will you use for resuscitation?
2. What is the role of the kidney in electrolyte and acid -base balance?
3. What are the buffer systems of the body? Which is the most rapid one?
4. Outline treatment of a patient with metabolic acidosis
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References
1. Bialy & Love – Short Practice of Surgery, 23rd edition
2. Schwartz, Principles of Surgery, 7th edition, short pimple year of surgery
3. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th edition
4. General Surgery at the District Hospital, WHO 1998.
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CHAPTER THREE
BLOOD TRANSFUSION
Learning objectives
After reading this chapter students should be able to:
1. Identify indications for blood transfusion
2. Mention types of blood component therapy
3. Know blood transfusion reactions and their preventions
Definition
Blood transfusion is the procedure of introducing the blood of a donor, or pre-donated blood
by a recipient into the recipient’s bloodstream.
Indications for blood transfusion

The need for blood transfusion in patients with acute hemorrhage is based on
• The volume lost
• The rate of bleeding
• The hemodynamic status of the patient; hematocrit may be normal if determined.
• A patient with acute blood loss of more than 2000ml certainly requires replacement of
blood. It must be remembered that crystalloid infusions should be provided while the
blood compound is obtained.
For patients with chronic blood loss or chronic anemia replacement of blood (RBC) should
be based on the hematocrite level. The optimal hematocrite is considered to be in the range
of 30%. But patients with chronic anemia (e.g. renal failure) seem to tolerate hematocrite as
low as 18%-20%. Symptomatic patients exhibiting air hunger, dizziness, significant
tachycardia or cardiac failure should, of course, be transfused.
Component therapy is indicated when specific factor deficiencies are demonstrated. For
instance, factor VIII concentrates is the preferred mode of therapy for classic hemophilia.
Compatibility tests
If administrated blood is incompatible with the patients own blood, life threatening reactions
may result. Blood banks routinely test for incompatibilities of the ABO and RH systems.
Cross matches allow for detection of rare antibodies (e.g. kell, duffy, kidd) that are not
detected in ABO and RH tests. Group-A contains anti-B antibodies, Group-B contains anti-A
antibodies, Group-O contains anti-A and anti B antibodies. AB-group can receive any blood.
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Blood prepared after a full typing and cross match can be transfused safely in 99.95%
cases. In some instances when fully cross- matched compatible blood is depleted or
unavailable; type specific or O negative blood should be given. Type O Rh negative blood
can be transfused without lysine the recipients blood.. Irregular recipient antibodies cannot
be detected and extra vascular hemolysis can also occur. Overall, O negative blood, if
randomly transfused, has a serologic safety of about 99.8%.
Component therapy
Treatment of specific hematologic abnormality often requires only a single component of

whole blood. For example, factor VIII for classic hemophilic or platelet transfusion for
patients with bone marrow suppression. Blood banks reduce the whole blood received from
donors to a variety of components. The available products include whole blood, red blood
cells, white blood cells, platelet concentrates and plasma in several forms.
Cellular component
Whole blood
This is collected in citrate phosphate dextrose- adenine solution (CPDA-) and contains 450
ml of whole blood and approximately 60ml of anticoagulant preservative. When it is used
within 24 hours it is considered fresh, whole blood and after this time it is referred to as
stored. Whole blood has a shelf life of 35 days. In acute massive hemorrhage transfusion
with one unit of whole blood raises the recipient’s hematocrite by 3%.
Packed RBC
These are the remains after the plasma has been separated from whole blood. One unit
raises the recipient’s hematocrite by 3%. Packed RBC may be warmed to a temperature not
exceeding 370 c before transfusion. The storage life of red blood cells is 35 days.
Platelet concentrate
Platelets are separated from one unit of blood and suspended in a small volume of the
original plasma. Depending on this technique, platelets may be stored for 3-7 days. One unit
of platelet concentrate contains about 5.5×1010 platelets and increases the platelet count by
5000/ml. For a patient with platelet count below 25,000/mm3, 6-8 units are usually given.
Platelet concentrate must be administered through a special platelet filter.
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Plasma components
Fresh frozen plasma
This is anti-coagulated plasma separated from a person’s blood and frozen within 6 hours of
the time of collection. It may be stored up to 1 year. It contains all clotting factors and also
provides proteins for volume expansion.
Cryoprecipitate
This is a protein fraction removed from a unit of fresh frozen plasma that is thawed at 40c.
This white precipitate is then removed and frozen. It has a shelf life of about 1 year. It
contains factor VIII, fibrinogen and factor XIII. It is used for the treatment of:
classic hemophilia,
certain consumptive coagupathies such as DIC or
Other clotting abnormalities with specific therapy commonly not available.
Albumin
This is a plasma component used for oncotic support and plasma expansion. Its
disadvantages are rapid excretion as well as expense.
Plasma protein fraction
Similar to albumin but contains additional protein molecules.
Complications and risks of blood transfusion

Hemolytic transfusion reactions
Intravascular hemolytic transfusion reactions; are potentially life threatening reactions that
can occur by blood transfusion. They are almost always due to incompatibility of the ABO
system involving the donor red blood cells and recipient plasma. These reactions are very
rare occurring in 1 out of 15,000 -20,000 transfusions.
Pathophysiology
During hemolytic transfusion reaction all donor cells hemolyze, leading to hemoglobinemia,
hemoglobinuria and renal failure. These reactions also activate the complement system with
subsequent release of vasoacative amines causing hypotension. Complement activation
also initiates the clotting mechanism which can produce intravascular thrombosis, DIC and
hemorrhage
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Clinical manifestation: Patient often experiences fever, chills and dyspnea.
Treatment
Stop transfusion immediately

Administration of fluids and diuresis with mannitol or frusemide
Transfused blood with patients blood sample should be sent for analysis
Sodium bicarbonate may prevent precipitation of hemoglobin in the renal tubules
Steroids may ameliorate the immunologic consequences.
Transfusion reactions from mismatches involving the Rh system or minor antibodies usually
induce extravascular hemolysis, since these reactions occur slowly, serious complications
do not often develop.
Non-hemolytic transfusion reaction
Non-hemolytic reaction may occur after transfusions.
Febrile reaction: occurs in 0.5% -1% of all transfusions and is usually treated with
antipyretic drugs.
Allergic reaction: occurs in 2-3% of all transfusion and manifests by urticaria and
rashes. Antihistamins, steroids or epinephrine as indicated can accomplish
treatment.
Transmission of disease: With the exception of albumin and PPF, the use of all
blood products carries risk of transmitting infectious diseases. These include:
• hepatitis
• malaria
• Epstein- bar virus, cytomegalovirus, brucellosis, trypansomiasis and
other diseases potentially transmitted by blood transfusions
Of great concern these days is the risk of transmission of the HIV virus. It is required
to screen the donated blood using enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Other complications: Complications that can occur with massive transfusion include
• Citrate toxicity
• Acidosis
• Hyperkalemia
N.B:- As blood transfusion is accompanied by various complications mentioned above, the

decision to transfuse should only be made when it is believed to be life saving.
20
Review Questions
1. What factors determine the need for blood transfusion in patients with chronic blood loss
or chronic anemia?
2. Enumerate the routine compatibility tests performed in blood banks.
3. List the cellular components of blood with their specific importance.
4. Outline the management principle of patients with hemolytic transfusion reaction.
21
References
1. Bailey and Loves: Short Practice of Surgery 22nd, ed.
2. Hardy’s Textbook of Surgery
22
CHAPTER FOUR
PRE-OPERATIVE AND POS-TOPERATIVE CARE
Learning objectives
At the end of this chapter, students are expected to
• Be familiar with pre and post-operative care and complications
• Identify factors which make patients high risk for surgery
• Differentiate postoperative complications
• Manage common post operative complications
Introduction
In the management of patients with surgical procedures, the overall outcome of the
operation mainly depends on the pre-operative diagnosis and the surgical procedure. But in
addition to this, the patient’s pre-operative situation should be well evaluated so as to make
the patient able to withstand the stress of surgery. Factors which make the patient high risk
for surgery should be controlled as much as possible. Also, the patients’ postoperative
course highly depends on the postoperative care given, and anticipation with early diagnosis
and management of postoperative complications.
General consideration
Preoperative evaluation should include a general medical and surgical history, a complete
physical examination and laboratory tests. The most important laboratory tests are:
• Complete blood count
• Blood typing and Rh-factor determination
• Urinalysis
• Chest x-ray
Further laboratory tests should be performed only when indicated by the patients’ medical
condition or by the type of surgery to be performed.
23
Assessment and Minimization of Surgical Risks
Cardiovascular System
Cardiac problems
The preoperative period is associated with significant cardiovascular stress. Patients with
heart disease should be considered high-risk surgical candidates and must be fully
evaluated.
• Patients with symptoms of previously undiagnosed heart disease (E.g. chest
pain, dyspnea, pretibial edema or orthopnea)
• Recent history of congestive heart failure
• Recent myocardial infarction
• Severe hypertension
• Varicose vein and deep venous thrombosis
Such patients should be evaluated with the assistance of medical or cardiology consultation.
The perioperative monitoring, induction, and maintenance techniques of anesthesia, and
post – operative care can be tailored to the specific cardiovascular diseases.
Pulmonary system
The following respiratory tract problems make patients high risk for surgery;
• Upper airway infections

• Pulmonary infections
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases: chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma
Elective surgery should be postponed if acute upper or lower respiratory tract infection is
present. Pulmonary infections also predispose to postoperative bronchitis and pneumonia. If
emergency surgery is necessary in the presence of respiratory tract infection, regional
anesthesia should be used if possible and aggressive measures should be taken to avoid
postoperative atelectasis or pneumonia.
Renal system
Renal function should be appraised

• If there is a history of kidney disease, diabetes mellitus and hypertension
• If the patient is over 60 years of age
• If the routine urinalysis reveals proteinuria, casts or red cells
It may be necessary to further evaluate renal function by measuring creatinine clearance,

blood urea nitrogen and plasma electrolyte determination.
24
Rheumatologic system
Anemia
Anemia affects the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood, which can complicate the stress of
surgery. Anemia in pre-operative patients is of iron deficiency type caused by inadequate
diet, chronic blood loss or chronic disease. Care must be taken to differentiate iron
deficiency anemia from other anemias. Iron deficiency anemia is the only type of anemia in
which stained iron deposit cannot be identified in the bone marrow. Megaloblastic, hemolytic
and aplastic anemia usually are easily differentiated from iron deficiency anemia on the
basis of history and simple laboratory examinations. Patients with iron deficiency anemia
respond to oral or parenteral iron therapy. In emergency or urgent cases, a preoperative
blood transfusion preferably with packed red cells may be given.
Thrombocytopenia
The normal platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 350,000/ml. In the patient with
thrombocytopenia but normal capillary function, platelet deficiency begins to manifest itself
clinically as the count falls below 100,000/ml. typical manifestations include
• Petechia
• Epistaxis in both sexes and
• Menorhagia in females of reproductive age
• Uncontrolled bleeding which could be intra or post-operative.
Treatment - treat the underlying cause and support with platelet transfusions and clotting
factors as necessary.
Endocrine system
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetics with poor control are especially susceptible to post-operative sepsis. Preoperative
consultation with an internist may be considered to ensure control of diabetes before, during
and after surgery.
In type - II patients, avoid hypoglycemia by closely monitoring blood sugar on the day of
surgery, and possibly by not using the longer acting oral hypoglycemic agents -2 days before
operation. Insulin dependent diabetics with good control should be given half of their total
morning dose as regular insulin on the morning of surgery. This is preceded or immediately
followed by 5% dextrose solution intravenously to prevent hypoglycemia. Regular insulin
should then be given every 6 hrs based on plasma glucose level. Chronic medical conditions
associated with diabetes may also complicate the preoperative period, e.g. Hypertension,
25
myocardial ischemia which may be silent. These patients should have an extended cardiac
work up and receive metoclopromide as well as a non particulate antacid before surgery.
Thyroid disease
Elective surgery should be postponed when thyroid function is suspected of being either
excessive or inadequate. In Hyperthyroidism, The patient should be rendered euthyroid
before surgery if possible. This may take up to 2 months with anti-thyroid medications.
In hypothyroidism, thyroxin should be started before surgery if possible. In all cases,

treatment should be started with a very low dose of thyroid replacement to avoid sudden and
large workload on the myocardium. The usual tests of thyroid function include T3, T4, and
TSH levels.
In addition to the above discussed factors, there are issues which might need special
consideration in preoperative patients. The diagnosis of early pregnancy must be considered
in the decision to do elective major surgery in reproductive age female.
History of serious reactions or sickness after injections, oral administration or other uses of
substances like narcotics, anesthetics, analgesics, sedatives, antitoxins or antisera should
be sought.
The patients’ general hydration status should be assessed and made optimal. Nutritional
status of the patient also needs evaluation and correction.
After all this, prior to the operation, it is important to have an empty stomach because full
stomach can result in reflux of gastric contents and aspiration pneumonitis. In elective
surgery, patients should not eat or drink anything after midnight on the day before surgery.
Post-operative care, complications and their Treatment
Post-operative care
Post-operative care is care given to patients after an operation in order to minimize post
operative complications. Early detection and treatment of post operative complications is
possible if there is optimal care. Some of the care is given to all post operative patients,
while the rest are specific to the type of operation. Routine cares include:
Immediate care:
a. Vital sign checking
b. Chest auscultation
c. Input and output monitoring
d. Checking for bladder and abdominal distention
e. Potent analgesics for pain relief
26
On subsequent post-operative days:
a. Oral intake can be started
b. Patients encouraged to ambulate
In the following sessions, we will focus on common postoperative complications.
Cardiovascular complications
Shock
Postoperative efficiency of circulation depends on blood volume, cardiac function,

neurovascular tone and adrenal secretions. Shock, or failure of the circulation, may follow:
Excessive blood loss
Escape of vascular fluid into the extra vascular compartments (“third spacing”)
Marked peripheral vasodilatations
Sepsis
Adrenocortical failure
Pain or emotional stress
Airway obstruction
Treatment includes
Arresting hemorrhage
Restore fluid and electrolyte balance
Correct cardiac dysfunction
Establish adequate ventilation
Maintain vital organ function and avert adrenal cortical failure
Control pain and relief apprehension
Blood transfusion if required.
Thrombophlebitis
Superficial thrombophlebitis
It is usually recognized within the first few days after operation.
Clinical features
A segment of superficial saphenous vein becomes inflamed manifested by:

Redness
Localized heat
Swelling
Tenderness
27
Treatment includes
Warm moist packs
Elevation of the extremity
Analgesics
Anticoagulants are rarely indicated when only superficial veins are involved.
Thrombophlebitis of the deep veins
Occurs most often in the calf but may also occur in the thigh or pelvis.
Clinical features
It may be asymptomatic or there may be dull ache or frank pain in the affected leg or calf.
The area may be tender and spasm felt in the same area. Examination may reveal slight
swelling of the calf. Dorsiflexion of the foot may elicit pain in the calf (Homan’s sign). Major
complication is pulmonary embolism.
Treatment
• Elevation of the limbs
• Application of full leg gradient pressure elastic hose
• Anticoagulants
Prevention: Early ambulation
Pulmonary embolism
Pre-disposing factors
Pelvic surgery
Sepsis
Obesity
Malignancy and
History of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis
It usually occurs around the seventh to tenth post-operative day. The diagnosis should be
suspected if cardiac or pulmonary symptoms occur abruptly.
Clinical features
Patients with large emboli develop chest pain; severe dyspnea, cyanosis, tachycardia,
hypotension or shock, restlessness and anxiety. In small emboli, the diagnosis is suggested
by the sudden onset of pleuritic chest pain sometimes in association with blood-streaked
sputum, and dry cough may develop. Physical examination may elicit pleural friction rub, but
in many cases there are no classical diagnostic signs.
28
Investigation
Chest X-ray- findings are pulmonary opacity in the periphery of the affected lung which is
triangular in shape with the base on pleural surface, enlargement of pulmonary artery, small
pleural effusion and elevated diaphragm. ECG may show characteristic changes.
Treatment
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation measures
Treatment of acid-base abnormality
Treatment of shock. Immediate therapy with heparin is indicated even in the absence
of a definitive diagnosis.
Pulmonary Complications
About 30% of deaths that occur within six weeks after operation are due to pulmonary
complication. Atelectasis, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism and respiratory distress
syndrome from aspiration or sepsis, fluid overload or infection are the most common
pulmonary complications.
Atelectasis
Definition
Atelectasis is a pulmonary complication of early postoperative period. It is a condition

characterized by areas of airway collapse distal to an occlusion.
Predisposing factors
Include chronic bronchitis, asthma, smoking and respiratory infection. Inadequate immediate
postoperative deep breathing and delayed ambulation also increase the risk.
Clinical features
Fever in the immediate post operative period
Increased pulse and respiratory rate
Cyanosis
Shortness of breath
Dull percussion note with absent breath sounds
Investigation
X-ray findings include patchy opacity and evidence of mediastinal shift towards the
atelectatic lung.
29
Prevention and treatment
Encourage to stop smoking
Treat chronic lung diseases
Postpone elective surgery in presence of respiratory tract infections
Post operatively, encourage sitting, early ambulation and breathing exercise while
administering analgesics
Intensive chest physical therapy
Supplemental oxygen
Pneumonia and aspiration pneumonitis
Pneumonia may follow atelectasis or aspiration of vomits or other fluids. Preexisting

bronchitis also predisposes to this complication.
Clinical features
Fever in the first few postoperative days
Respiratory difficulty
Cough becomes productive
Physical examination may reveal evidence of pulmonary consolidation
Investigation
Chest-x-ray may show diffuse patchy infiltrates or lobar consolidation.
Prevention and treatment
Chance of pulmonary aspiration can be minimized by

- Fasting
- Naso-gastric tube decompression
If aspiration of gastric content occurs; an endotracheal tube should be placed and the air
way suctioned and lavaged.
Treatment of pneumonia includes:

Deep breathing and coughing
Change position frequently to encourage expectoration
Broad spectrum antibiotics therapy should be instituted and revised as indicated by
subsequent sputum culture and sensitivity
Gastrointestinal complication
Paralytic Ileus
It is a functional intestinal obstruction usually noted within the first 48-72 hours
30
Clinical features
Abdominal distention
Absent bowel sounds
Generalized tympanicity on percussion
Investigation
Plain x-ray-generalized dilatation and gaseous distention of the bowel loops
Treatment
NGT decompression
Fluid and electrolyte balance
Post operative intestinal obstruction
Causes
Peritonitis
Peritoneal irritation
Fibrinous adhesion
Clinical features
Manifests between the 5th and 6th postoperative day
Significant and protracted vomiting
Crampy abdominal pain
Focal typmpanicity of the abdomen on percussion
Exaggerated bowel sounds
Investigation
Plain film of the abdomen usually reveals distension of a portion of small bowel with air fluid
levels.
Treatment
Vigorous hydration and careful electrolyte monitoring is needed. This often results in re-
alignments of the bowel loops and relief of the obstruction. Patient should be kept NOP and
NGT inserted for decompression. If the obstruction doesn’t respond within 48-72 hours, re-
operation is necessary.
URINARY TRACT COMPLICATIONS
Urinary retention
Urinary retention can follow pelvic operations and when spinal anesthesia is used. Inability of
the patient to void is often due to pain caused by using the voluntary muscles to start the
31
urinary stream. The patient should be encouraged to get out of bed. Bladder drainage by
means of a urethral catheter should be instituted.
Urinary tract infection
Predisposing factors
Pre-existing contamination of the urinary tract
Catheterization
Clinical presentation
• Fever
• Suprapubic or flank tenderness
• Nausea and vomiting
Investigation
-Urine analysis (pus or bacteria will be seen in the urinary sediments)
Treatment
Increase hydration
Encourage activity.
After urine specimen is obtained for culture, appropriate antibiotic therapy should be
instituted
Wound complications
Wound infections
Pre disposing factors
Age
General health
Nutritional status
Personal hygiene habits
Malignancy
Poor surgical technique
Diagnosis: clinical
Fever during the 4th to 5th day

Redness or indurations at operation site
32
Treatment
Sutures should be removed
The wound should be explored and cultured
Ample drainage should be established together with local wound care
Appropriate antibiotics if systemic manifestations like fever are persistent.
Hematoma, Abscess and Seromas

These may occur either in the pelvis or under the fascia of abdominal rectus muscle. They
are suspected during falling of hematocrite in association with low-grade fever. Small
hematoma or seroma often resolve spontaneously, but some can become infected.
Ultrasonography is an excellent adjunct to physical examination. Drainage of infected
hematoma should be accomplished extraperitoneally.
33
Review Questions
1. What are the important components of preoperative patient evaluation?
2. List important laboratory investigations which need to be done in almost all pre-operative
patients despite the specific diagnosis.
3. What are the risks of untreated respiratory tract infection in surgery?
4. Why is diabetes mellitus considered to be pre operative risk?
5. About post-operative shock

a) List the causes, what is the commonest cause?
b) What are the clinical manifestations?.
c) What are the important measures to be taken to combat shock?
6. What is the most common cause of fever in the immediate postoperative period ?
7. Outline the care for an infected post-operative wound.
34
References
1. Bailey and Loves: Short practice of Surgery, 22nd ed.
3. Current Textbook of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 8th ed.
35
CHAPTER FIVE
ASEPTIC AND ANTISEPIC TECHNIQUES
Learning Objectives
After reading this chapter, the student should know

1. The definition of the different terms used in asepsis and antisepsis
2. The properties of the most frequently used antiseptics and their use in surgical
and traumatic wounds.
3. How choose the most suitable antiseptics for his/her institution
Introduction
The most serious outcome (important factor) of impaired wound healing is infection.
Antiseptics and aseptic techniques are used in an attempt to prevent contamination to an
acceptable level making the wound less receptive to bacterial growth. It should be noted,
however, that the corner stones in decreasing wound infection are: gentle tissue handling,
sharp dissection, good homeostasis, and accurate apposition of wound edge without
tension. Proper wound debridement (wound excision) is vital in post traumatic wounds to
prevent infection.
Therefore, knowledge of aseptic and antiseptic techniques is very important for the medical
practitioner, be it in the ward, minor/major operation theaters or in the emergency out patient
department: this knowledge can help prevent infection, unnecessary morbidity and some
times mortality of patients.
DEFINITIONS
Aseptic technique: the prevention of microbial contamination of tissues and sterile
materials by excluding, removing or killing microorganisms
Disinfection: involves the killing or removal of sufficient microbes to render an inanimate

object safe for its intended purpose
Antiseptics: Chemicals which can be applied to living tissues to kill or inhibit the growth of
microbes.
Cross infection: the transfer of microbes in hospitalized patients to other patients.
36
Auto infection: infection caused by organisms already colonizing the patient’s body or in
septic lesions.
CHOICE OF ANTISEPTIC
The ideal antiseptic will have the following four properties

a. The spectrum of activity would be broad
b. It would be resistant to inactivation by organic materials, such as blood & feces
c. There would be no toxicity or allergic reaction, and the antiseptic should be non –
staining
d. It would be inexpensive.
USE OF ANTISEPTICS AND ASEPTIC TECHNIQUES
Prevention of infection in surgical wounds
For prevention of infection in surgical wounds one has to identify the sources and routes of
infection. The source of infection in surgical wounds can be:
• The patient
• Staff (a healthy carrier, incubating an infectious disease or with overt clinical illness)
• The operation room
• Occasionally instruments.
The routes of infection are

• Personal contact: patient -to- patient, patient -to- staff, staff -to-patient
• Airborne
Ward and OPD
Patient:-
Common organisms in the absence of infection are gram-positives like
Staphylococcus and streptococcus found on the skin resisting dryness. Gram-

negatives are not resistant and are not common causes in clean wounds.
Preventative Measures
• Short hospital stay preoperatively
• Shower a day before surgery
• Treatment of any infectious site before surgery
• Aseptic methods with sterile equipment for all procedures.
• Special preparations e.g. bowel preparation for colonic surgery
37
Staff:-
Preventative Measures to be taken

• Skin disinfection between contact with patients by detergent (soap and water)
in the wards or OPD and use of antiseptic in intensive care and neonatal
units.
• Treatment for identified carriers and full blown cases e.g. boils
• Prophylactic antibiotics when indicated
Operating Theater
Most bacteria infecting surgical incisions are implanted during the operation. Therefore strict
asepsis has to be maintained.
Staff
Wear clean clothes, shoes or covers, mask and cap or hood beyond the green line
Scrubbing up of all operating team before each operation for at least 5 minutes with
an antiseptic soap or detergent. To prevent skin damage, brushes should be used
only to clean under the nails. Finally, dry with sterile towel and apply 70% alcohol
or Povidone iodine if available.
Put on sterile gloves and gowns in an aseptic manner
Patient
• Shave hair immediately before surgery
• Clean the operation field with antiseptic containing:
- Chlorohexidin and 2.5% Iodine for adults
- 70% alcohol for children
- Podovine Iodine for all ages if available
• Finally, cover with sterile drapes.
Operating Room
There are few bacteria in the air of an empty theatre but every individual liberates about
10,000 organisms per minute into the air. Therefore, to decrease airborne infections, keep
the number of personnel reduced to a minimum. Unnecessary movement should also be
discouraged.
There should be adequate ventilation for most procedures. If there is no system to provide
this, windows should be open to allow ingress of fresh outside air and escape of anesthetic
gases.
Keep all doors closed except as needed for passage of equipment and personnel.
38
Clean operating rooms between operations. At regular intervals, conduct a more thorough
cleaning by mopping the floor and washing the walls with detergents.
Instruments
All instruments and garments to be used in surgical procedures must be sterile and this is
attained by sterilization.
Sterilization: - is a process by which inanimate objects are made free of all microorganisms.
Widely used methods of sterilization in a hospital are.
Autoclaving: - This is the preferred method of sterilization. It uses steam at a pressure of 750
mmHg above atmospheric pressure and temperature of 1200 C for 15-30
minutes. The steam is helpful for penetration even into spores. Appropriate
indicators must be used each time to show that the sterilization is
accomplished.
Dry heat:-
This is a poor alternative but suitable for metal instruments. It uses a temperature of 1700C
for two hours.
N.B. Boiling is an unreliable means of sterilization and it is not recommended.
APPENDIX: properties of commonly used antiseptics
Alcohols (e.g. ethyl, isopropyl): -
Broad spectrum, rapid action, moderately expensive, most active against bacteria at
70% concentration
Chlorhexidine:-
Good activity against staphylococci and streptococci, moderate activity against gram-
negative bacteria, persistent action, moderately expensive, non-toxic, unpleasant taste
Iodine (lugols solution):-
Broad spectrum, cheap, stains, hypersensitive
Povidone iodine:-
Broad spectrum, moderately expensive, some hypersensitivity, rapid inactivation by

blood
Hexachlorophane:-
Slow, but cumulative action against staphylococci and streptococci, systemic toxicity for
neonates, moderately expensive
39
Triclosan:-
Similar activity but less toxic than hexachlorophene
Chlorine (chlorinated lime and Boric acid (Easol):-
Broad spectrum, locally toxic, expensive
Dilute sodium hypochlorite solution:-
Broad spectrum, cheap, locally toxic
Quaternary ammonium compounds :-( e.g. cetrimide in benzalkonium chloride)
Poor gram-negative activity, readily contaminated, detergent, cheap, non-toxic.
Noxythiolin:-
Releases formaldehyde in contact with tissues, broad spectrum, expensive, weak and
slowly bactericidal
Alcohol plus chlorhexidne

Alcohol plus povidon iodine useful mixtures
Chlorhexidine plus cetrimide
40
Review Questions
1. Using your knowledge of the properties of the different antiseptics which one would you
choose for your heath center?
2. Which antiseptics do you recommend for preoperative skin preparation for

adults? What about for children?
3. What is the most important measure you would take for a patient who comes to
the emergency room with a contaminated wound?
41
References
1. General Surgery at the District hospital: WHO 1998.
2. Mark Farrington, Infection and the Surgery, Surgery, The medicine group (UK) ltd, 1988
42
CHAPTER SIX
SUTURE MATERIALS AND SUTURING
Definition
Suture is a thread like material used to close surgical wounds and unite two edges of cut
tissue.
Types of Suture Materials
Suture materials can generally be classified as absorbable and non absorbable.
Absorbable:
This is a type of suture material that gets absorbed by the tissue.
E.g. Catgut (natural or biologic type)
Vicryl (Synthetic)
Non absorbable:
This is a type of suture material that remains unabsorbed by the tissue.
E.g. Silk (natural or biologic type)
Nylon (Synthetic)
SELECTION OF SUTURE MATERIALS
Different surgical stitches are used in various types of tissues for different purposes.
Important factors considered when selecting suture material for surgery include:
• Type and site of the operation

• Healing characteristics of the tissue involved
• Properties of the suture and needle
• Security of knots
• Behavior of the material in presence of infection
• Suture size (The commonest surgical suture size is between 4/0 and 1)
43
SUTURING TECHNIQUES
The basic principles of suturing technique include:
1. Inserting the needle at right angle and gently advance through the tissue
2. Avoiding tension
3. Size and interval between bites are dependent on the tissue thickness and type of
tissue to be sutured
FORMS OF SUTURING TECHNIQUES
Important types of suturing techniques commonly used include:

• Simple interrupted
• Continuous simple
• Vertical and horizontal mattress
• Subcuticular stitches
Figure 1: Simple Interrupted Sutures

Figure 1a Figure 1b
Figure 1c Figure 1d
Useful Tips:
• Insert the needle carefully at right angles to the tissue edges. Advance through,
gently avoiding shearing force.
44
• For long wounds being closed with interrupted sutures, it is advisable to start in the
middle and to keep on halving the wound.
• Tie a careful reef knot and lay to one side of the wound.
• Cut suture end about 0.5cm long to allow length for grasping during removal.
• When removing sutures, cut flush with the tissue surface so that the exposed length
of the suture, which is potentially infected, does not have to pass through the tissues.
Figure 2: Continuous Sutures
Useful Tips:
• Place a single suture and ligate but only cut the short end of the suture.
• Continue to place sutures along the length of the wound keeping tension through an
assistant following by holding the suture at the same tension as it is when handed.
• Take care and avoid too much tension.
• Secure the suture at the end by an additional reef knot.
Figure 3: Mattress Sutures
Fig 3 a: Horizontal Fig 3 b: Vertical
Mattress sutures may be either vertical or horizontal. They may be useful for ensuring either
eversion or inversion of a wound edge.
45
Figure 4: Subcuticular Sutures
This technique may be used with absorbable or non-absorbable sutures. For non-absorbable
sutures, the ends may be secured by means of beads etc. For absorbable sutures, the ends
may be secured by means of buried knots.
Small bites of the subcuticular tissues on alternate sides of the wound are taken and then
pulled carefully together.
46
CHAPTER SEVEN
WOUNDS-WOUND HEALING AND CARE
Learning Objectives
At the end of this chapter, each student will be able to:
• Define a wound clearly

• Understand the types of wounds
• Understand managing wounds according to type
• Understand the process of healing.
Introduction
Successful wound management with rapid and complete healing and minimal complication
depends on understanding the basic principles of assessment, bacteriology and application
of the general principles of wound care.
The primary goal of wound management is to aid the natural body process to produce
optimal functional and cosmetic result. This requires an understanding of the basic principles
of wound care and the process of healing. Failure to do this may result in delay of healing
and unwanted secondary complications which may be distressing to the physician, patient
and family and may lead to greater economic loss.
DEFINITION
Wound is defined as a break in the normal continuity of a tissue. It is caused by a transfer of
any form of energy into the body which can be either to an externally visible structure like the
skin or deeper structures like muscles, tendons or internal organs.
WOUND HEALING
Wound healing is a complex biologic process of restoring normal tissue continuity. There are
integrated sequences of events leading to cellular proliferation and remodeling. under
normal conditions it starts immediately following the event of wounding and passes through
basic mechanisms with the following four phases in all wounds.
47
Phases of healing
1-Coagulation phase:
This is the first phase of healing which is induced immediately following injury. It is
characterized by vaso-constriction, clot formation and release of platelets and other
substances necessary for healing and help as a bridge between the two edges.
2- Inflammatory phase:
This phase takes place from time of wounding up to three days. It is characterized by
classical inflammatory response, vasodilatation and pouring out of fluids, migration of
inflammatory cells and leukocytes and rapid epithelial growth.
3- Proliferate Phase:
This phase, also known as phase of fibroplasia, starts around the 3rd day of injury and stays
for about three weeks. This is a phase during which important events occur for healing of the
wound. It is characterized by fibroblast, epithelial and endothelial proliferation, Collagen
synthesis, and ground substance and blood vessel production.
4- Maturation phase:
Also known as phase of remodeling, this takes the longest period which may extend for up to
one year. Equilibrium between protein synthesis and degradation occurs during this phase
with cross linking of collagen bundles leading to slow and continuous increase in tissue
strength of the wound to return to normal.
Clinical types of healing
Traditionally, wound healing can be classified into three clinical types: Healing by first,
second and third intention.
Healing by first intention:
This is a type of healing of clean wound closed primarily to approximate the ends. Healing
takes place by epithelialization and leaves minimal scar.
Healing by Second intention:
This occurs in wide, contaminated wounds, which are not primarily closed. Healing takes
place by granulation tissue formation, tissue contraction and epithelialization.
Healing by third intention:
This occurs in wounds which are left open initially for various reasons and closed later
(delayed primary closure)
48
Factors affecting healing
Healing of a wound can be affected by various conditions. The following are examples of
factors which down grade a healing process.
Local factors
• Ischemia and decreased oxygen tension

• Presence of foreign bodies
• Closure under tension
• Infection
• Irradiation…
Systemic factors
• Systemic diseases like diabetes, cirrhosis, renal failure, malignancy…

• Poor nutritional State (hypo proteinemia vitamin and mineral deficiency)
• Decreased resistance due to immune suppression, chronic infection
• Drug therapy like steroids, cytotoxic agents
WOUND ASSESSMENT AND CLASSIFICATION
Assessment of wounds
For proper wound management, adequate assessment, based on relevant history and
physical examination is important. In the history, one has to answer the following principal
questions:
• How the wound was caused and what caused it? (Mechanism of injury)
• When did the wounding happen? (Time)
• Where was it caused? (Place and circumstances)
• Patient's past and current medical and vaccination/immunization history that
may influence wound healing
Careful physical examination is important to assess the integrity and function of the
structures. General inspection and specific tests have to be done to assess the following
conditions:
• Extent of skin loss

• Degree of circulation
• Damage to nerves, tendons, bone and other structures (deep under) the skin
• The degree of contamination
• Presence of foreign body and tissue necrosis
49
Classification of wounds
Once wound is carefully assessed, it is necessary to classify into a specific type in order to
plan a proper management scheme. There are many approaches of classifying wounds.
However, wounds can generally be grouped into two categories.
Closed wounds: These are wound types, which have an intact epithelial surface, and skin
cover not completely breeched.
Example: Contusion, Bruise, Hematoma
Open wounds: These are wounds caused by injury which leads to a complete breakt of the
epithelial protective surface.
Example: Abrasion, Laceration, Puncture, Missile injuries, Bites…
The following method is the traditional surgical wound classification scheme that was
introduced in 1964. This method classifies wounds according to the likelihood or rate of
wound infection.
Clean: Non-traumatic, non-infected wound, no break in sterility technique, the respiratory,

gastrointestinal or genitourinary tracts not entered.
Clean-contaminated: Minor break in technique, oropharynx entered, gastrointestinal or

respiratory tracts entered without significant spillage, genitourinary or biliary
tracts entered in absence of infected urine or bile.
Contaminated: Fresh traumatic wounds, major break in sterility, gross spillage from
gastrointestinal tract, and entrance of genitourinary or biliary tracts in the
presence of infected urine or bile
Dirty and Infected: Acute bacterial inflammation without pus, wound with heavy
contamination and evidence of infection, transection of “clean” tissue for the
purpose of surgical access for collection of pus, traumatic wound with
retained devitalized tissue, foreign bodies, fecal contamination, and/or
delayed treatment, or from dirty sources
WOUND MANAGEMENT
GENERAL
In managing wounds, care should be taken not to overlook life threatening conditions by
concentrating on less important wounds. If other serious conditions exist, which endanger
the patient’s life, the wound should be covered with sterile gauze and priorities attended to.
50
Therefore, the patient requires thorough examination before instituting wound management.
The following priority has to be set and followed.
• Stabilize the patient and correct all life threatening conditions, like airway obstruction
and bleeding.
• Take quick general history on the incident.
• Do gross physical examination to assess associated injuries.
• Assess the wound or soft tissue injury in detail.
• Plan and institute treatment according to the goal and specific wound type.
• Follow up, re-inspect the wound and assess the outcome of your management after
a day or two.
Treatment of the wound begins following initial assessment. The initial care of all wounds is
generally governed by several principles. However, the goal in all cases is to establish a
good environment to assist wound healing and prevent infection. Proper wound care
includes the following measures:
• Adequate hemostasis locally to stop bleeding.
• Adequate irrigation to reduce bacterial load and foreign particles.
• Careful debridement to remove all dead tissues and non-vascularized fragments.
• Careful decision on whether to close or leave the wound open for later closure.
• Supplementing with antibiotics and tetanus prophylaxis as required.
• Improving host response by correcting systemic diseases.
Regarding primary wound closure, each condition must be individualized. However, general
guidelines that can be followed are:
• Clean wounds should be closed primarily
• Clean-contaminated wounds can be primarily closed if they can be converted, into
clean wounds
• Untidy, contaminated wounds which cannot be converted to tidy wounds should not
be closed primarily
• All missile wounds, animal and human bites should never be primarily closed unless
strongly indicated
Primary closure
Primary closure is effective in wounds presenting within 6-8 hours and can accurately be
debrided. This is usual in civilian practice.
51
Delayed primary closure
Is done for traumatic or contaminated wounds to avoid the risk of wound sepsis. It is done
within 3 days of initial treatment.
Secondary closure
This is usually done in 3-7 days of initial treatment. It is effected in contaminated or traumatic
wounds. It provides a reliable drainage and opportunity for repeated inspection and
debridement as necessary.
SPECIFIC WOUND MANAGEMENT
As mentioned earlier, the management of specific wound types should be individualized.

This is mainly governed by local wound factors. The common wound types and their specific
management is listed below.
Bruises
These wounds are very superficial. There is no specific management needed except local
compress and analgesics if pain is severe.
Hematoma
This is a collection of extravasated blood in the soft tissues.
Management:
- It usually gets absorbed spontaneously and should be left
- Local compress to alleviate pain
- Aseptic evacuation or aspiration only if very large (expanding) or over a
cosmetic area or leading to compression of vital structures.
Abrasion
An abrasion is rubbing or scraping of skin or mucous membrane. It may affect only a part or
full layer of skin. Dirt particles can be imbedded into the skin defect.
Management:
- Cleanse using scrubbing brushes
- Use antiseptic or lean tap water and soap
- Analgesic
Punctures
These may be compound wounds which involve deeper structures. They require careful
management.
52
Management:
- Evaluate the depth of damage
- Remove pricking or other foreign bodies
- Excise damaged tissue
- Cover with antibiotics
- Tetanus prophylaxis
Lacerations
These are open wounds caused by an object moving across the skin, commonly by sharp
and thin objects which slice with minimal energy, like a knife, or glass, but can also be due to
high-energy impact. Their management should be as follows.
Management:
- Careful inspection
- Adequate cleansing
- Closure, if feasible, under appropriate anesthesia
- Proper wound debridement if needed
- Appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis
- Tetanus Prophylaxis
- Analgesics as needed
Crush and avulsion wounds
These are compound complicated wounds. They are usually associated with systemic
involvement and have more extensive damage than may appear. Manage these conditions
as follows.
Management:
- Correct associated life threatening conditions
- Proper wound debridement
- Early skin cover if possible or late graft, wound left open if contaminated
- Appropriate antibiotics
- Analgesics as needed
Missile injuries
These are type of wounds which are compound and complicated. There is excessive tissue
damage and high degree of contamination. They usually present with severe life threatening
conditions and should be carefully managed.
53
Management:
- Correct life threatening conditions to stabilize the patient’s vital functions
- Careful wound inspection
- Careful wound debridement
- Adequate effective antibiotics
- Tetanus Prophylaxis and analgesics as needed
- Avoid primary closure of the wound
BITES
Bites can be caused by humans or other animals. The wounds can be puncture or laceration
and are contaminated. Management of common bites is discussed below.
Human bites
These are relatively rare but more heavily contaminated than those of most animalss due to
polymicrobial nature including anaerobic organisms as a normal oral flora. Management
should include the following aspects.
- Careful wound inspection
- Take culture from wound site
- Thorough scrubbing and liberal irrigation with saline or plain water
- Adequate debridement
- Leave wound open except early face and head wounds
- Do not suture severed tendons and nerves primarily
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics, later to be changed to specific antibiotics according to
culture result
- Wound observation
Dog bites
Peculiar to dog bites is that infected animals can transmit the rabies virus from the saliva
which leads to rabies, a deadly disease. To avoid this complication the animal must be kept
for observation for at least 10 days. These wounds should be urgently and carefully
managed as follows.
Local management:
- Vigorous irrigation and repeated swabbing and flushing with soap and water or
antiseptics
- Local anti-rabies serum infiltration under the wound if available
- Leave wound open
54
Systemic management:
- Post exposure anti rabies prophylaxis (1ml, IM) on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th and 28th
day of bite.
- Antibiotics
Snake Bites
Poisonous snakes cause severe local and systemic effects due to highly active substances
in their venom. Immediate aggressive measures should be taken to limit the affects.
Management should include:
First aid measures:

- Local wound irrigation
- Apply pressure bandage proximally to avoid or reduce venom spread with caution
on the blood supply
- Immobilize the limb to minimize venom absorption
- Transport patient immediately to nearby hospital
Hospital Measures:
- Identify the species
- Conduct necessary laboratory investigations like hemoglobin, renal function...
- Anti-venom injection, if available
- Supportive care for severe conditions
- Rest
- IV-infusions to combat shock
- Antibiotics
- Blood transfusion
- Surgery, if local complications
- Wound excision
- Fasciotomy for compartment syndrome
WOUND COMPLICATIONS
Handled and managed improperly, wounds can result in variants from normal healing and
become complicated, causing local systemic complications.
Local: Local complications may manifest as one or more of the following conditions-
- Hematoma
- Seroma
55
- Infection
- Dehiscence
- Granuloma formation
- Scar formation
- Contracture leading to loss of joint function etc
Systemic:
- Death may occur if un controlled sepsis or hemorrhage
- Systemic manifestations of hemorrhagic shock due to massive bleeding
- Bacteremia and sepsis from a source of locally infected wound
56
Review Questions
1. Which of the following is important in assessing a wound to manage it properly?

A) Duration of injury
B) The circumstance of wounding
C) The mechanism of injury
D) Local appearance of the wound
E) All of the above
2. Which of the following wounds can be categorized as “clean”?

A) Bullet wound of one hour duration
B) Human bite of 30 minutes duration
C) Glass laceration of five hours duration
D) Crush injury of the leg following car accident
E) None of the above
3. A proper wound care includes all measures except

A) Removing all devitalized tissue
B) Removing foreign bodies impregnated to the wound
C) Wound inspection following primary management
D) Inadequate hemostasis of a bleeding artery
E) Decision to close a wound primarily
4. Which of the following wounds should never be primarily closed?

A) Forearm laceration from a knife
B) Dog bite to the calf of one hour duration
C) Blast wound to the thigh of two hours duration
D) Stick wound to the scalp of four hours
E) B and C are correct
5. Which of the following wounds requires no surgical procedure?

A) Gas gangrene
B) Bruise
C) Abscess
D) Lacerations
E) Pyomyositis
57
6. In a contaminated wound left open to heal without closure, healing is effected by
A) First intention
B) Second intention
C) Third intention
D) Purely by epithelialization
E) All of the above
7. Which of the following factors is unlikely to affect the healing of a wound?

A) Presence of foreign body
B) Systemic illness
C) Sex of the patient
D) Poor patient nutritional state
E) Presence of infection
58
Key to the Review Questions
1. E
2. C
3. D
4. E
5. B
6. C
7. C
59
References:
1. Wound care: First edition, 1986
William M. Cocke, Jr.
Raleigh R. White
Dennis J. Lynch
Charles N. Verheyden
2. Wound care: First edition, 1985

Stephen Westaby
3. Campbell’s operative orthopedics: Ninth edition

S. Terry Canale
4. Principles of Surgery, 1999

Schwartz
5. Bailey and Love’s Short Practice of Surgery, 22nd edition.
6. Surgical care at the District Hospital: 2003

World Health Organization
60
CHAPTER EIGHT
SURGICAL INFECTIONS
Learning Objectives
At the end of this chapter, each student will be able to:
- Define a surgical infection clearly

- Have a clear understanding on the pathogenesis of surgical infections
- Understand and define the common types of surgical infections
- Understand the management of surgical infection according to its type
- Identify types of surgical infections that require emergency procedure
Introduction
Surgical infection encompasses a wide pathologic aspect. It can be defined broadly as an
infection related to or complicating a surgical therapy and requiring surgical management.
Many infections occupy a non-vascularized space of tissue, thus are likely to respond to
non-surgical treatments. These types of infection therefore definitely require surgery as a
primary or definitive therapeutic approach.
Examples of such infections, which definitely need surgery, can be:

- Gas gangrene
- Abscess
- Appendicitis...
On the other hand, any infection that is related to surgical therapy but that may not definitely
require surgery is also categorized as a surgical infection.
Examples:
- Urinary tract infections after catheterization for surgical purpose
- Pulmonary complications following intubation for surgery
- Tracheotomy site infection
All wounds that follow operative procedure or incision are also grouped as surgical
infections.
Example:
Post-operative wound infection
61
CLASSIFICATION
Surgical infections can be classified in relation to specific conditions. According to temporal

relation to surgery, surgical infections are grouped into three types.
Ante/pre operative infections:
These infections happen before a surgical procedure. The time of initial infection may or may
not be known.
Example:
- Accidents
- Appendicitis
- Boils
- Carbuncle
- Pyomyositis…
Operative infections:
These are types of surgical infections that happen during a surgical procedure. It can occur
either due to contamination of the site or poor tissue handling technique.
Postoperative infections:
These infections occur after a surgical procedure. The contamination is usually from the
patient’s source.
Example:
- Surgical wound infections
- Urinary and respiratory tract infections
PATHOGENESIS
There are certain elements or factors present for a surgical infection to occur. These include:
- An infectious agent
- A susceptible host
- Favorable external factors or local condition with closed, less or non-per
fused space.
An infection becomes overt only when the equilibrium between the bacterial and host factors
becomes disturbed.
62
Infectious agents:
Surgical infections are caused by various types of microorganisms either separately or in

combination (poly microbial). The common organisms in decreasing order are:-
1- Aerobic bacteria
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Streptococci
- Klebsiella
- E. coli…
2- Anaerobic bacteria
- Bacteroids
- Peptostreptococci
- Clostridia…
3- Fungi
- Histoplasma
- Candida
- Nocardia and actinomycetes…
4- Parasites
- Entameba hystolytica causing amebic liver abscess
- Echinococcus causing hydatid cyst…
The organisms get access through skin breaks, operative wounds, tubes, and
catheters…They lead to overt infection by various mechanisms, which commonly include
tissue invasion, local damage and toxin production. Later, the organisms or their toxins
impose more danger by systemic spread.
Host Susceptibility:
Reduced immune host defense predisposes to surgical infections. Conditions affecting the
specific and non-specific immunity and systemic diseases that suppress the immune
response, like diabetes mellitus, TB and AIDS can reduce the body's immune defense, thus
increasing the susceptibility to infection.
Local and external factors:
Closed spaces, usually with poor vascularization, are areas susceptible to infection.
Favorable situations under such condition contributing to infection include:-
- Poor perfusion of blood and oxygen
- Presence of dead tissue
63
- Presence of foreign bodies
- Closure under tension etc.
External factors like a break in the sterility technique also contribute to the development of
surgical infection.
DIAGNOSIS
Once an infection develops, it can be diagnosed by the clinical manifestation and supportive
laboratory investigation:-
Clinical manifestation: Patients with overt surgical infection may present with the following
symptoms and signs:
Symptoms and signs of local inflammation such as hotness, redness, edema/swelling,

local pain and loss of function
Non-Specific symptoms like fever, chills, tachycardia, etc.
Constitutional symptoms: Fatigue, low-grade fever, etc.
Laboratory investigations:
WBC count: usually elevated
Staining and culture of discharges and fluids can be diagnostic
Blood culture: Especially if there is bacterermia will be positive
Biopsy: Histologic inspection of tissues can also be diagnostic of infection of various
structures
Imaging studies like X-ray and ultrasound can be diagnostic.
SPECIFIC TYPES OF INFECTIONS

Common surgical infections are discussed below separately.
Post-Operative Wound Infection
This is contamination of a surgical wound during or after a surgical procedure. The infection
is usually confined superficially to the subcutaneous tissue. If it extends below the fascia, it is
considered a deep infection.
Source of infection:
The source of contamination in more than 80% cases is the patient (endogenous).
Organisms may come from the patient’s skin or transected viscus. In about 20% of cases,
the source is from the environment, operating staff or unsterile surgical equipment
(exogenous).
64
Clinical findings:
The infection usually becomes evident on the 5th-7th postoperative day. The following clinical
features may accompany the infection.
- Fever
- Wound pain
- Wound edema and induration
- Local hotness and tenderness
- Wound/stitch abscess
- Serous discharge
- Crepitation occasionally
Management:
- Remove stitches to allow drainage
- Local wound care
- Antibiotics only if systemic manifestations or signs of local spread accompany.
Abscess
An abscess is a localized collection of pus. It contains necrotic tissue and suppuration from
damage by the bacteria, and white blood cells. It is surrounded by area of inflamed tissue
due to the body’s response to limit the infection.
Etiology:
Pyogenic organisms, predominantly staphylococci are the leading causes. These organisms
lead to tissue necrosis and pus formation.
Clinical features:
Patients with an abscess anywhere in the body may present with the following findings.
- Clinical features of inflammation when superficial (Heat, pain, edema, redness
and loss of function)
- Local fluctuation if superficially located.
- Spontaneous discharge and sinus formation
- Systemic manifestations like fever, sweating, tachycardia
- Chronicity especially in granulomatous infection like mycobacteria,
Treatment:
- Primary treatment is drainage of the abscess by making incision
- Debridement and curettage to break all septations and loculations
- Delayed primary or secondary closure is preferred
- Antibiotics should not be given until systemic symptoms or signs of spread occur
65
Cellulitis
Cellulitis is an inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue characterized by invasion without

definite localization. Thin exudate spreads through the cleavage planes of tissue spaces. It
usually involves the extremities and identifiable portal of entry is detectable.
Etiology: The most common etiologic organisms are

- Beta hemolytic streptococci
- Staphylococci
- Clostridium perfringens
Clinical Features: There is usually an identifiable portal of entry which can be a surgical
wound, puncture site, skin ulcer or dermatitis. Other features include:
- Local signs of inflammation, which may be very intense
- Poorly defined brown-red edema
- Blebs and bullae in severe cases; tissue destruction and ulceration may follow
- Central necrosis and suppuration may occur late in some complicated cases
- Systemic signs of bacteremia and toxemia due to spread and toxin release
Management:
- Rest to limit spread of infection and pain
- Elevation of the involved limb
- Hot, wet pack
- High dose broad spectrum antibiotics IV
Impetigo
This is a skin infection characterized by a series of intraepithelial abscesses which present

as multiple small pustules coalescing together. Later these pustules form lesions with
erosion and crust formation. The disease is contagious in nature.
Etiology: The causative agents are streptococci and staphylococci.
Clinical Pictures:
- Series of small intra epithelial abscesses , multiple
- Bullous lesions
- Skin erosion and
- Crust formation.
66
Management:
- Local care
- Careful washing with antiseptic soap
- Local antibiotic ointments like neomycin if available
- Systemic antibiotics like cloxacilline only in resistant cases
Furuncle (Boil)
Furuncle is an acute infection of hair follicles with Para follicular inflammation. It commonly
occurs over the axillae, back of the neck and buttocks. Poor hygiene, immune suppressive
diseases and irritation are known contributing factors.
Etiology:
The causative agents are staphylococci aureus.
Clinical feature:
- There is an intense local irritation of acute onset
- Painful firm, reddish, round swelling initially, which later becomes fluctuant
- Suppuration and central necrosis occurs later
- The condition subsides and is self-limited to recur in multiple lesions (chronicity)
Treatment:
• It may subside spontaneously without suppuration (Blind boil)
• Incision /Excision if complicated
• Antibiotics
Carbuncle
Carbuncle is an infective gangrene of subcutaneous tissue which commonly occurs in

patients with diabetes and other immune suppressive conditions. It is commonly found over
the nape of the neck.
Etiology: It is caused by staphylococcus aureus.
Clinical Feature:
• Formed by multiple furuncles
• Pain
• Erythema
• Induration
• Progressive suppuration of thick pus
• Tissue loss with shallow and deep ulcer surrounded by smaller areas of necrosis
67
Treatment:
• Adequate systemic antibiotics in early stages
• Aggressive debridement
• Local wound care
• Detect and treat predisposing factors like diabetes mellitus
Pyomyositis
Pyomyositis is an acute bacterial infection of skeletal muscles with accumulation of pus in

the intra-muscular area. It usually occurs in the lower limbs and trunk spontaneously or
following penetrating wounds, vascular insufficiency, trauma or injection. Poor nutrition,
immune deficiency, hot climate and intense muscle activity are highly associated factors.
Etiology: The most common causative agent is Staphylococcus aureus. Streptococci can
also be detected in acute form.
Clinical Features: It usually has sub-acute onset and can present with
• Localized muscle pain and swelling, late tenderness
• Induration, erythema and heat
• Muscle necrosis due to pressure
• Fever and other systemic manifestations later after some days
Treatment:
• Immediate intravenous antibiotics before surgery
• Surgical drainage of all abscess
• Excision of all necrotic muscles
• Supportive care
Madura Foot
This is a chronic granulomatous disease commonly affecting the foot with extensive
granulation tissue formation and bone destruction. The disease is common in the tropics and
occurs through a prick in barefoot walkers in 90% of cases.
Etiology: The causative microorganisms for this infection are various fungi or actinomycetes
found in road dust.
68
Clinical Manifestation:
• Firm, painless, pale nodule appears initially followed by others
• Vesicles surrounding the nodules which later burst and form sinuses
• Watery discharge, which may contain granules appearing yellow, red or black color
• Flattening of the convexity of inner foot
• Deep spread to bones subcutaneous plane leading to secondary infection.
Treatment:
• Sulphonamides and Dapson (prolonged course)
• Broad spectrum antibiotics for secondary infection
• Amputation if severe and disfiguring infection
Necrotizing fasciitis
This is an acute invasive infection of the subcutaneous tissue and fascia characterized by
vascular thrombosis, which leads to tissue necrosis. The skin is secondarily affected. It is
idiopathic in origin but minor wounds, ulcers and surgical wounds are believed to be initiating
factors. The condition is described as "Meleney’s synergistic gangrene" if it occurs over the
abdominal wall and “Fournier’s gangrene “if in the scrotum and perineal area.
Bacteriology:
Mixed pathogens of the following microorganisms are usually cultured.

• Streptococci
• Staphylococci
• Gram negative bacteria
• Anaerobes and
• Clostridia
Clinical Features:
• Sudden onset of localized pain
• Rapidly spreading inflammation
• Spread along chemic fascial planes
• Hemorrhagic bulla and edema
• Skin devascularization
• +/- Crepitations
• +/- Muscle necrosis
• Systemic signs of toxemia
69
Management:
• Broad spectrum combined antibiotics
• Gentamycin or Ceftriaxone for coverage of aerobic organisms and
• Cloxacilline or chloramphenicol or Metronidazole for coverage of anaerobic
organisms
• Circulatory support with intravenous fluid as much as required and transfusion of
cross matched blood when necessary
• Surgery soon as possible. The following surgical procedures may be required:
- Debridement and excision of all dead tissue
- Multiple incisions for drainage
- Repeated wound inspection
- Skin graft may be needed later if extensive skin involved.
CLOSTRIDIAL INFECTIONS
Tetanus
Tetanus is a non-invasive infection caused by anaerobic micro-organisms which requires

favorable wounds like abortions, lacerations, injections, open fractures, burns, deep
contused wounds with dead tissues and foreign body... It can practically be eliminated by
tetanus vaccine immunization if properly initiated and maintained.
Etiology:
Clostridium tetani, a gram-positive rod found in soil and manure is the causative agent. It
require anaerobic environment for growth, invasion and elaboration of toxin, tetano-spasmin
for its dramatic virulence.
Clinical Features:
- Can be latent with healed and forgotten wounds
- Local or generalized weakness
- Stiffness or cramping pain on the back, neck and abdomen
- Difficult of chewing and swallowing
- Tonic muscles spasms
- Sardonic smile as evidence of onset of tonic spasm
- Severe pain and opisothonus due to reflex convulsion of all muscles
- Progressive difficulty of respiration
- Fever, tachycardia, cyanosis
- Respiratory failure and death due to repeated cyanotic convulsive attacks.
70
Treatment:
- Meticulous surgical excision of the wound regardless of immunization state to
eliminate the bacterial infection and the dead contaminated tissue
- Isolation, quietness and comfort
- Sedation with chlorpromazine up to 200mg IM/day barbiturates or diazepam
50mgIV under close followup and observation for central signs of drug over dose
- Antibiotics: crystalline penicillin is the drug of choice for parenteral medication.
Tetracycline can be an alternative antibiotic for oral therapy.
- Intensive nursing care
- Naso-gastric tube for feeding to maintain protein balance
- Immunization
- Respiratory support and consider tracheostomy if spasms becomes frequent
leading to cyanosis
- Human antitetanus globulin if available to neutralize circulating toxin
- Active immunization with 0.5 ml of tetanus toxoid if the patient is not immunized
or the wound is tetanus prone
Prevention:
Prevention of clinical tetanus depends on adequate immunization of the population and

careful surgical management of all traumatic wounds, even those which appear to be minor.
Patients with grossly contaminated wounds and no or unclear history of immunization should
receive an intramuscular antitoxin therapy. Active immunization with tetanus toxoid should
also be started.
Gas Gangrene
Gas gangrene is another clostridia associated with soft tissue infection (Clostridial
myonecrosis). It is a rare but devastating infection characterized by muscle necrosis and
systemic toxicity due to the elaboration and release of toxins. It usually follows wounding
with trauma or surgery and requires factors contributing to tissue hypoxia like foreign bodies,
vascular insufficiency or occurs as a complication of amputation.
Etiology:
Clostridium perfringens is responsible for over 80% of cases. More than one species can be
isolated or polymicrobial infection with other microorganisms can occur.
71
Clinical features:
It is characterized by fulminant local and systemic manifestations. Patients may appear

normal at early state. Clinical features include:
- Sudden and persistent severe pain at wound site.
- Localized tense edema, pallor and tenderness
- Gas noted on palpation or radiographs
- Progressive brownish discoloration of skin and hemorrhagic bullae formation
- Dirty brown discharge with offensive, sweetish odor
- Severe systemic manifestations including fever, tachycardia, hemolytic anemia,
hypotension, renal failure and finally death
- Gram’s stain from the discharge can be diagnostic
Management:
• Surgery is most important component
• Extensive, wide excision of involved muscles
• Amputation of an extremity may be needed.
• Antibiotics: high dose penicillin is the preferred drug
• Supportive measures including
- Intravenous infusions
- Blood transfusions
- Close monitoring and follow up
72
Review Questions
1. Which of the following is not categorized as “surgical infection”?

A) Urinary tract infection after catheterization for Prostatectomy
B) Abscess formation following injection on the thigh
C) Wound abscess following excision of big lipoma on the back
D) Lung atelectasis following intubation for laparotomy
2. Which of the following is a requirement for a surgical infection to occur?

A) Virulent microorganism
B) A tissue of decreased or no blood supply
C) A decrease in the immune response of a patient
D) All of the above
3. Which of the following are the most common microorganisms of surgical infection?
A) Viruses
B) Staphylococcus species
C) Clostridia
D) Candida
E) Entoameba
4. Which of these clinical states may indicate a presence of surgical infection?

A) Fever
B) Loss of function of body part
C) Local hyperemia
D) Tachycardia
E) All of the above
5. Which investigation can be helpful for diagnosing a surgical infection?

A) Gram’s stain from a discharge if there is any
B) Blood culture
C) WBC count
D) Tissue biopsy
E) All of the above
73
6. The correct way of managing a patient with an abscess is
A) Start with effective antibiotics and send home
B) Drainage and no antibiotics if no systemic signs
C) Apply local ointments for aiding the abscess to burst
D) Give effective antibiotics and analgesics
E) All except B
7. In a patient with gas gangrene

A) Little circulatory support is needed
B) Surgical removal of gangrenous tissue is the primary management
C) Penicillin is the preferred antibiotic
D) B and C are correct
E) Systemic signs are not commonly seen
74
Key to the Review Questions
1. E
2. D
3. B
4. E
5. E
6. B
7. D
75
References:
1. Surgical infections: First edition, 1995; Donald E. Fry
2. Wound care: First edition, 1985; Stephen Westaby
3. Principles of Surgery: seventh ed., 1999; Schwartz
4. Bailey and Love’s short practice of surgery, 22nd edition.
76
CHAPTER NINE
TRAUMA
Learning Objectives
After reading this chapter, the student should be able to:
Identify the various types of trauma; understand their epidemiology,

predisposing factors and methods of their prevention.
Learn the general approach and treatment priorities of a trauma victim.
Learn the specific management of missile injuries and burn.
Introduction
Trauma is one of the leading causes of mortality, morbidity and disability worldwide. In
developing countries, the magnitude of the problem has been increasing consuming more
and more of the meager health resources of these nations. Moreover, trauma mostly affects
people in their productive years of life, hence the high economic and social burden to
society.
The causes of trauma are various and their relative incidence varies in different populations.
Deaths due to trauma tend to occur in three patterns:
1. Immediate death (50%)

• Occur in the first few minutes after the accident
• Are due to extensive and lethal injuries to the brain, heart & major blood vessels
2. Early deaths (30%)

• Occur in the first few hours
• Are due to the collections and bleedings in the chest and abdomen, extensive
fractures and increased intracranial pressure
• Early resuscitation, diagnosis and appropriate management can prevent these
deaths.
3. Late deaths (20%)

• Occur days or weeks after the injury
• Are due to sepsis and organ failure
• May be decreased by early resuscitation and appropriate treatment
77
DEFINITION
Trauma is tissue damage, which occurs due to transfer of different forms of energy either
intentionally or unintentionally.
Types of Trauma: Trauma can be classified according to the:
I- Cause: Homicidal injuries
Road traffic accident and falls
Industrial accidents, burn, etc.
II- Mechanism: A/ Blunt Injury: Caused by acceleration, deceleration, rotational or

shearing force
B/ Penetrating Injury: Caused by a direct breach by penetrating object
E.g. Bullet injury, stab injury
TREATMENT PRIORITIES
Management of trauma requires adherence to an established order of priorities like the

advanced trauma life support (ATLS) protocol developed by the American College of
Surgeons. The ATLS generally consists of a primary survey and resuscitation followed by a
secondary survey and definitive management.
I- The primary survey and resuscitation
This part of management comprises a quick evaluation of the patient to detect immediately
life threatening situations and institution of measures to correct them. It has the following
components:
A- Air way: Assess the patency of air way. In a trauma victim, it may be compromised by
the back fallen tongue, broken tooth, vomitus, blood etc. If the air way is
compromised, use suctioning, jaw trust, positioning, oropharyngeal tube or
endotracheal tube to open it, taking care of the cervical spine.
B- Breathing: Assess adequacy of breathing. It may be compromised by pneumothorax,
hemothorax or multiple rib fractures causing flail chest.
C- Circulation: Assess the circulatory volume. Look for external hemorrhage and
arrest it by pressure, bandaging or tourniquet if the other methods
fail. Tachycardia, hypotension, pallor may mean bleeding into the
body cavities or from an obvious external wound. Open a wide bore
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IV line, take blood sample for cross match and start resuscitation with
Normal saline or Ringer’s lactate.
D- Do a quick neurologic examination to assess consciousness. Use the
Glasgow coma scale (GCS) to determine the level. Look for any
Neurological deficit or lateralizing sign.
E- Expose (undress) the patient fully for examination not to miss serious injuries.
II- Secondary survey and definitive management
This is done after the life threatening conditions have been evaluated and resuscitative
measures are instituted. It includes the following aspects:
A- Take History: The informant may be the injured patient, relatives, police or
ambulance personnel. The history should include:
• Time of injury,
• Mechanism of injury,
• Amount of bleeding,
• Loss of consciousness,
• Any intervention performed or drugs given should be asked for.
B- Do a proper and systematic examination of all body systems.
C- Make necessary investigations such as hematocrite, cross-match, urinalysis, X-ray,

ultrasound, etc. However, never send a patient with unstable vital signs for
investigation or referral before resuscitation.
D- Institute the appropriate specific treatment like laparotomy for possible abdominal
organ injury, POP cast for tibio-fibular fracture.
ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS (RTA)
Road traffic accident is the leading cause of trauma deaths in industrialized nations and
many developing countries. Several factors contribute to the high magnitude. These include
poor condition and design of roads, traffic mix (sharing of road by vehicles of different
speeds and pedestrians), poor condition of the vehicles and poor traffic rule enforcement.
The incidence of this serious problem can be reduced by improving the public awareness
and the quality of training given to the drivers and strict enforcement of traffic rules.
Moreover, improving the design and quality of the roads and regular checkup of vehicle
fitness would help alleviate the problem.
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Injuries are caused by sudden acceleration e.g. a pedestrian hit by car or decelerations
causing the passenger to collide with the interior of car, other passengers or be ejected out
of the car. There are certain patterns of injury in RTA .The presence of one of the following
injuries should alert to the possible presence of the other:
Head and cervical spine injury
Lower rib fractures and spleen or liver injuries
Pelvic fracture and urinary tract injury etc
Certain factors indicate that a RTA victim has a high risk of serious and multiple injuries.
These include:
• Presence of flail chest
• Roll over
• Death of another person in the car
FIREARM INJURIES
In civilian practice, these injuries are mostly due to homicidal violence, although accidental
injuries also occur. In many developing countries like Ethiopia, the magnitude of the problem
is big due to high distribution of firearms among civilians who have little or no knowledge on
safe handling and usage. It is made worse by the presence of large number of land mines,
which are remnants of repeated wars and conflicts in these poor nations.
Generally, missile injuries may be caused by bullets from pistols, rifles, machine guns or
fragments from exploded grenades and mines. The degree of injury sustained depends on
the amount of energy transferred from the missile to the patient as formulated below.
E=½mv2 (E = energy transferred, m = mass of the missile, v = velocity of the missile)
Thus, the speed and weight of the missile are the determinant factors. The extensive tissue
injury with the high degree of contamination creates a perfect medium for life threatening
infection to occur.
Missile injuries are classified into:
I- Low- velocity missile injuries

• Comprise missiles fired from hand guns (<400m/s)
• Injury is limited to the path of the bullet.
II- High velocity missile injuries

• Comprise bullets fired from rifles, machine guns and blast fragments (>1000m/s)
• Cause a small entrance and a larger exit wounds
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• Tissue damage occurs in the surrounding tissue as well, due to the temporary
cavitation effect
• Foreign bodies, dirt and clothing materials are sucked deep in the wound due to
the vacuum effect
Management of missile injuries
The most important factor in the management of missile injuries and prevention of serious
infection is appropriate wound debridement. Wound debridement consists of:
Excision of all dead tissue, e.g., dead muscle
Removal of all dirt, foreign bodies and free bone fragments
Thorough irrigation of wound with copious amount of saline
The debrided wound should be left open for closure later
N.B: Never close missile wounds primarily, not even the very trivial looking ones!
All patients with missile injuries should receive broad spectrum antibiotics and
tetanus prophylaxis.
BURN INJURIES
Burn is a coagulation necrosis of tissue due to thermal or chemical injury. It is mostly seen in
developing countries where there is overcrowding, poor housing designs and wide spread
usage of open fire for cooking. Women and children are affected most as majority of the
burns occur at home. Types of burns, according to the mechanism, include:
• Flame burn
• Scalding
• Chemical burn
• Electrical burn, etc.
The severity of a burn injury is a function of the burn depth (degree) and the extent or
percentage of the body surface that is burned. Determining the percentage of burn surface is
important to calculate the amount of fluid requirement while determination of burn depth is
important for burn wound management.
Classification of Burn according to depth (degree)
1- First degree burn: It involves the epidermis only and manifests with erythema.
2- Second degree (partial thickness) burn: This involves part of dermis. It manifests with
blisters, edema, moist surface and pain at the affected site.
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3- Third degree (full thickness) burn: Involves complete burn of the dermis. The burned
skin looks charred, white or grayish and the surface is pain free.
The extent or percentage of burn is determined by the “rule of nine” in which the body
surface is divided into eleven parts each constituting 9% of the total (fig.). In children, the
size of the hand may be used to estimate the burn surface, which is approximately 1%.
Management of a burn victim
General management:
Like all trauma patients, adhere to ATLS system.

• Airway obstruction may occur rapidly after inhalation injury or delayed for 24-48
hours. Endotracheal intubation or tracheotomy may be needed in patients with burns
involving the air way.
• Major burn (> 20% body surface area) needs fluid resuscitation. Open IV line with
wide bore cannula and infuse saline containing IV fluid (Ringer’s lactate if available)
- The amount of IV fluid needed for the first 24 hours is calculated as a product of
percent of the burned surface area and the body weight in kilograms added to the
daily maintenance (%BSA X Wt.) + daily maintenance. Half of the calculated
volume is given in the first 8 hours and the remaining half over the next 16 hours
from the time of burn.
- Volume and rate of fluid administration should be valid according to the vital signs
and urine output, hence the need to catheterize the patient. The optimal urine
output is 30-50ml /hr in adults and 1ml/kg/hr in children
Criteria for admission

• Adults > 20% BSA burn
• Children > 10% BSA burn
• Burns involving the face, hands, feet and genitalia
• Suspicion of inhalation injury
• Chemical and electrical burns
Burn wound management: There are several methods of managing a burn wound. The
choice depends on the degree, size and site of the burn, and availability of facilities and
expertise.
1- The exposure method: The burn wound is cleaned by antiseptic agents and left
exposed to air. It is used for burns of the face and burns of large surface area.
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2- The occlusive method: A thick dressing after cleaning with antiseptics covers the burn
wound. It is used mostly for outpatient treatment of small burns.
3- The plastic bag method: The burned part is wrapped in a transparent plastic bag. It is
used for burns of hands and feet.
4- The saline method: The burn wound is intermittently irrigated with half strength saline
solution. This is used for large surface deep burns.
5- Early excision and skin grafting: This needs skill of grafting and transfusion facilities. It
is used for deep burns.
Emergency escharotomy and fasciotomy should be done for deep circumferential burns of
limbs, neck or trunk.
Analgesia: Most burn patients are in severe pain. Therefore, analgesic doses of IV narcotics
regularly to control the pain should be stressed as part of the management.
Prevention of Infection: Burn patients have impaired resistance against infection. Most
deaths occur due to pneumonia and wound sepsis. Prophylactic antibiotics (penicillin) are
given for severe burns but, routine administration has no value. Topical antimicrobials e.g.
1% silver sulfadiazine are helpful for deep 2nd and 3rd degree burns.
Nutrition: Naso-gastric tube should be inserted after admission for patients with more than
25% burn and those who have nausea and vomiting. Enteral feeding should be resumed as
soon as possible.
Burn patients are in catabolic state and tend to lose weight very fast, thus special attention to
their diet is important. The daily calorie required is 20 Kcal/Kg + 70 Kcal/%burn. Daily protein
requirement for burn patients is 1 gm/kg + 3 gm/%burn.
Prophylaxis against tetanus: Tetanus prophylaxis should be supplemented as burn is

potentially infected wound.
Prevention of contractures and rehabilitation: Patients should constantly be urged and

made to move all joints. Failure to do this results in contractures, which may be very
disabling, unsightly and difficult to treat.
Prevention
The magnitude of burn injuries can be reduced by keeping the high risks, like children and
epileptics, away from open fire or boiling pots and enforcing strict safety precautions in
working places like factories etc.
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Review Questions
1- A 20 year old man was brought in unconscious after car accident. Describe how you
would proceed managing him.
2- What are the predisposing factors for road traffic accidents and describe the methods of
prevention.
3- What does wound debridement mean?
4- How would you manage a 24 year-old housewife who was brought in eight hours after
sustaining a 30% flame burn to her chest, arms, and face?
84
Reference
1. Schwatz Text Book of Surgery, 1999.
2. Baily and Love’s Short Practice of Surgery, 22nd edition.
3. Primary surgery, Vol. 2 .Maurice Kings and Peter Bewes, 1987.
4. WHO. Investing in health research and development: Report of the ad-Hoc

committee on health research relating to future intervention options. Geneva,
1996
5. Murray CJ, Lopez A. The global burden of disease, Vol. 1, WHO & World Bank.
6. Mensur O. et-al. Magnitude and Pattern of Injuries in North Gondar.
85
HEAD AND SPINAL INJURIES
Learning objectives
At the end of this chapter students are expected to:
• Identity types of head injuries
• List the effects of head injury
• Outline assessment of patients with head or spinal injury
• Plan for management of patients with head injury
• Outline evaluation and management of spinal injuries
HEAD INJURY
Head injury is one of the most common causes for attending emergency departments.
Craniocerebral trauma is consequently a source of major disability and huge financial and
psychological burden. Trauma to the cranium can be either blunt or penetrating and involve
the scalp, the skull or the brain. These injuries can take many forms.
Scalp Injury
Scalp lacerations are common and can result in severe hemorrhage if not controlled. Scalp
lacerations can be sutured after ruling out possible associated skull or brain injuries.
Skull Injury
Different clinical forms of skull injury may follow trauma to the skull. These include:
Simple Linear Fracture
This is a line of fracture which usually marks of severe forces of injury. No specific
neurological management is required.
Depressed skull fracture
This type of fracture is usually a result of blunt trauma. It could be either open or closed. The
open type of fracture (compound depressed fracture) has a high risk of infection so that it
should be handled as an emergency. The depressed fragments may lacerate the dura and
brain tissue.
Treatment
o Debride and irrigate contaminated wounds
o Full course of intravenous antibiotics
o Elevation if indicated: deeper than the thickness of the skull in adults or if
there is any neurologic complication
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Fracture of the base of skull
Basal skull fractures can occur at different sites (anterior, middle or posterior fossa)
They often result in CSF leak. Anterior fossa fractures present with subconjuctival
hematoma, anosmia, epistaxis and CSF rhinorrhoea. Middle fossa fracture presents with
CSF rhinorrhea or otorrhea, heamotympanum and bruising behind the ear.
Brain injuries
Mechanisms of brain injury
Abrupt deceleration of a moving head results in minor injury at site of impact (coup injury) or
contusion of the brain opposite the point of impact (contra coup injury). From clinical point of
view, brain injuries could be primary (occurring at the time of impact) or secondary (develops
subsequently).
Primary brain injury
Cerebral concussion
This is a clinical diagnosis characterized by temporary dysfunction. It is most severe

immediately after injury and resolves after variable period of time. It is often accompanied by
loss of consciousness and amnesia for the moment is common. Post-concussion syndrome
which consists of headache, irritability, depression and lassitude may be seen as late
manifestations.
Cerebral contusion and Laceration
Pia and arachnoid tearing and intracerebral bleeding characterize these conditions. It usually
produces focal neurologic deficits that persist for more than 24 hours. Blood brain barrier
defects and cerebral edema are common. Contusions may resolve spontaneously or persist.
Secondary brain injuries
Secondary brain injuries are effects which develop secondary to subsequent anatomical and
physiological derangements. The role of the health worker is to early detect and manage
these.
Intracranial hematomas
A. Extradural hematoma: This condition usually follows temporal bone fracture with
tearing of middle meningeal artery leading to hematoma collection. Patients may
present in coma after a lucid interval. Urgent evacuation of the hematoma is
required.
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B. Acute Sudbural hematoma: This state is the most common intracranial mass lesion
following head injury. Mostly, it results from tearing of bridging veins. The lesion is
rapidly evolving and early evacuation is mandatory.
C. Chronic subdural hematoma: This is most common in infants and adults over 60
years of age. Patients usually present with progressive neurological deficit more
than 2 weeks after the trauma.
D. Intracerebral hematoma: Intracerebral hematoma results from areas of contusion

coalescing into contusion hematoma.
Cerebral swelling (Brain edema)
This results from vascular engorgement, due to loss of auto regulation and increased extra
and intracellular fluid. If not corrected early, it results in cerebral ischemia.
Infections
Compound depressed fractures or basal skull fractures can lead to meningitis or cerebral
abscess.
Patient assessment
In unconscious head injury patient, primary survey followed by resuscitation, if any

impairment, should be the initial approach. Air way, breathing and circulation should be
secured. This has to be followed by secondary survey and definitive management.
History
Points to determine in the history are:

Period of loss of consciousness
Period of post traumatic amnesia
Cause and circumstance of the injury
Presence of headache and vomiting.
Presence of seizures.
Physical examination
Then Patients will be examined for evidences of injury

Assess level of consciousness (Glasgow coma scale )
Pupillary response
Complete neurologic examination, look for lateralizing signs.
Look for evidences of basal skull fracture
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Based on Glasgow coma scale, patients can be classified as severe, moderate or mild.
These have significant contribution on subsequent management decision and outcome.
Table 1: Glasgow coma scale.
Eye opening Best motor response Verbal response
Obeys 6
Localizes 5 Oriented 5
Spontaneous 4 Withdraws 4 Confused 4
To speech 3 Abnormal flexion 3 Inappropriate words 3
To pain 2 Extension 2 Incomprehensible sound 2
Nil 1 Nil 1 Nil 1
Investigation
• Chest X-ray is mandatory in unconscious polytrauma patients to rule out hemothorax
or pneumothorax
• Film of cervical spines in unconscious patients
• Skull X-ray when fracture is suspected
• CT- Scan helps to visualize hematoma contusions and edemas if indicated
Management
ABC
After ensuring adequate oxygen and blood flow to the patient’s body, treatment of
intracranial hypertension follows. This can be done through:
• Controlled hyperventilation
• Diuretics or
• Hyper-osmotic agents
The role of surgery in head injury is to remove mass lesions and to prevent the delayed
development of infection by treating open head injuries. Any hematoma found should be
rapidly evacuated; otherwise it can lead to deterioration of the patient’s status due to brain
compression.
Compound depressed skull fracture requires immediate operation to prevent intracranial

infection. Fractures are debrided and bone fragments washed in antibiotic solutions and
immediately replaced. Elevation is done if indicated.
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Intracranial hypertension must also be controlled in postoperative period. Post-operative
control of amount of fluid (not to be given more than 2/3 of the daily requirement),
electrolytes, positioning in 20-30 degree elevation of the bed and management convulsion
and of late sequel of head injury should be accomplished.
SPINAL CORD INJURIES
INTRODUCTION
The spinal cord terminates at the caudal end of first lumbar vertebrae. Loose nerve roots of
cauda equina fill the lumbar spinal canal. Fracture and dislocation of the 24 movable
vertebrae can occur at any level. Displaced bone fragments and inter-vertebral disks may
herniate to the spinal cord causing compression, commonly seen in cervical and thoraco
lumbar region.
Most spinal injuries result in immediate and total paralysis. But there could also be
incomplete injuries. Among incomplete injuries, the following ones are commonly seen.
i. Brown-sequard Syndrome: Ipsilateral paresis and contra-lateral loss of pain and
temperature sensation. Vibration and position sensations are diminished on
ipsilateral side.
ii. Anterior spinal cord syndrome: Paralysis occurs below the level of the lesion with
loss of temperature, touch and pain sensation.
iii. Central cord syndrome: hand and upper extremities are affected with sparing of lower
extremities.
Both complete and incomplete injuries of the spinal cord can result in neurogenic bladder.
Immediately after injury, spinal shock ensues in which bladder reflex does not develop.
Catheterized drainage is essential in this state. There could be a finding of flaccid paralysis,
depressed deep tendon reflex and sensory level.
Patient assessment
Early detection of spinal injury will prevent further injury to the cord. During assessment and
resuscitation, the spine must be carefully immobilized. Multiple injuries, seat belt markings
and neurologic findings should alert the possibility of spinal injury. Examination should
include:
• Secure the airway, breathing and circulation (ABC rule of trauma management)
• Local examination: Sign of bruise, swelling, echymosis, pain and tenderness at any
site of spine could be secondary to fracture dislocation or disc herniation
• Sensory examination: Assess for any loss of sensation and its level
• Motor examination: Check for weakness of muscle power and tendon reflexes
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Investigation
After complete physical examination, x-rays should be taken. In conscious patients biplanar
x-rays of the symptomatic part of spine are adequate. In cervical spines, unstable injuries
are easily overlooked in lateral and A-P films. One option is to have real-time flexion and
extension x- rays.
Treatment
• IV resuscitation should be started in patients with spinal shock.
• Majority of simple compression fractures heal without consequences. It is treated
symptomatically initially with rest, then with splinting and mobilization as necessary.
• Adequate immobilization is mandatory in unstable cervical injuries. Further
neurologic damage is prevented by suitable immobilization.
• If there is deterioration of neurological function after initial assessment, surgery
should be considered to stabilize the spine and to decompress the spinal cord and
nerve roots. Careful transfer to appropriate centers is therefore important.
• High dose steroids may improve recovery after spinal cord injuries.
• Bladder care.
• Bed sore prevention by bed care and frequent position changes.
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Review Questions
1. Discuss the basic mechanisms of brain injury in head injury patients
2. List the secondary brain injuries following head injury
3. A patient comes to you after sustaining a road traffic accident. On physical

examination, there are no evidences of external injury. When you assess his level
of consciousness, he opens his eyes when pinched, withdraws from pain and he
is confused.
a) What is his Glasgow coma scale?
b) What further history and physical examination do you require?
c) List the investigation you order
d) Suggest your management plan
92
References
1. Bailey and Loves, Short Practice of Surgery.22nd edition
4. Primary Surgery, Trauma.
93
CHAPTER TEN
ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY
Learning Objective
After reading this chapter, the students should be able to:
• Understand the etiology, pathology and clinical presentation of bone and joint
infections.
• Learn the mechanism, classification and healing of fractures and dislocations.
• Learn the general steps and the various modalities of fracture treatment and their
complications.
• Learn about amputations, their indications and complications.
Introduction
Orthopedics deals with disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Although the
musculoskeletal system can be affected by several conditions like congenital, metabolic or
neoplastic diseases, traumatic and infectious disorders are the most important ones in
developing countries.
INFECTIONS OF BONES AND JOINTS
ACUTE OSTEOMYELITIS
Acute osteomyelitis is an acute bacterial infection of the bone and its medullary cavity. It
commonly affects children, boys more than girls.
Etiology
• Staphylococcus aureus is the agent in 80% of cases
• Gram negative rods and Staphylococcus in neonates
• H. Influenza is seen in children under 5 years of age
• History of trauma is common and may predispose children to osteomyelitis
Pathology
Bacteria reach the bone mostly via the hematogenous route. Infection begins in the
metaphysis of a long bone and spreads through the cortex and medullary cavity causing
thrombosis to vessels and bone infarction. Pus collects under the periosteum peeling it off
the cortex.
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Diagnosis
• History of - Pain, which is gradually increasing in severity
- Fever, Toxicity
- Failure to use the involved limb
• Physical Examination - Localized bony tenderness (most important)
- Adjacent joint may contain effusion
• Lab. Investigation - Leucocytosis and raised ESR
- Positive blood culture
- X-ray changes of bone: late to develop (10-15 days)
and is thus not helpful for diagnosis of acute
osteomyelitis.
Treatment
Antibiotics
• IV antibiotic should be started empirically after taking blood sample for culture
• Choice of antibiotics depends on the age:
- Neonates:- Penicillinase resistant penicillins + Aminoglycosides
E.g. Cloxacillin + Gentamycine
- Children under 5 years:- Penicillinase resistant penicillins + Anti H.influenzae
E.g. Cloxacillin + Chloramphenicol
- Patients above 5 years:- Penicllinase resistant penicillin
E.g. Cloxacillin
The duration of antibiotic treatment is 6 weeks. IV route is changed to oral after fever and
leucocytosis have disappeared (about 7-14 days).
Surgery: Surgery to drain abscess is recommended if fever and pain fail to subside after 48
hours of IV antibiotic treatment or if there is evidence of pus collection.
Analgesics and splinting: Analgesics and splinting of the limb in functional position using
POP casts or skin traction reduces pain in the acute phase.
CHRONIC OSTEOMYELITIS
Chronic osteomyelitis usually follows a delay or inappropriate treatment of an acute stage

osteomyelitis. It may also follow direct infection of bone in compound fracture.
Pathology: The dead bone (sequester) lies in an abscess cavity surrounded by a newly
formed bone (Involcrum) under the elevated periosteum.
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Diagnosis: The usual presentation is periods of quiescence and acute exacerbation of
persistently discharging sinus. There may be skin hyper pigmentation around the
sinus and palpable bone thickening. X-ray may show sequester, abscess cavity,
involucrum or diffuse sclerosis.
Treatment
Antibiotics: Used for acute exacerbation and perioperate for about six weeks.
Surgery: Surgery is done to remove a dead bone (sequesterectomy) or to eliminate an

abscess cavity (saucerization). Conservative treatment is considered in a patient
with minimal discharge and no obvious sequestrum or bone cavity. Amputation
may be considered for extensive bone involvement and heavy discharge or
frequent flare-ups which incapacitate the patient.
SEPTIC ARTHRITIS
Definition: Septic arthritis is an acute bacterial infection of joints.
Etiology: It varies in different age groups and is similar to that of acute osteomyelitis.
Neisseria gonorrhea should be considered in the sexually active age group.
Pathology: The hip and knee joints are the commonly affected joints. Bacteria may reach
the joint via the blood, local extension of osteomyelitis or directly in penetrating
wounds of the joint. The pus formed in the joint is chondrolytic and destroys the
joint cartilage if not evacuated.
Diagnosis:
History: The usual presenting symptoms are joint pain, swelling and fever.
Physical examination: The joint becomes swollen with effusion, tender and warm. The
range of active and passive movement also gets severely limited.
Lab: Joint fluid analysis reveals opaque yellow to green fluid with
• High cell count (mostly>100,000/mm3, with >90% PMN).
• Decreased glucose level (50 mg/dl lower than blood)
• Culture is often positive.
Treatment
Start with IV antibiotics. Do joint aspiration repeatedly under aseptic condition. If frank pus is
found, drain it by making arthrotomy. Immobilize the affected joint in functional position until
inflammation subsides and physiotherapy to prevent joint stiffness.
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Complications
Early: Destruction of articular cartilage, dislocation, epiphyseal necrosis.
Late: Secondary osteomyelitis, joint stiffness and ankylosis
TUBERCULOUS ARTHRITIS
Tuberculosis of bones and joints is mostly due to hematogenous spread from a pulmonary
focus. The intervertebral discs, the hip and knee joints are the most frequently affected.
Pathology
- Necrosis and granulation tissue formation in the synovium
- Destruction of sub chondral bone and articular cartilage
- Fibrous fusion (ankylosis) of the joint
Diagnosis
History: Insidious onset of dull aching pain, weight loss, anorexia, low grade fever
Examination: - Muscular atrophy of affected limb
- Joint swelling and warmth of overlying skin
- Joint effusion
- Limitation of joint movement
Laboratory: - Raised ESR

- Joint fluid analysis reveals turbid joint fluid with increased
leukocyte count (predominantly mononuclear)
- Acid-fast stain may reveal AFB.
X-ray: - Joint space narrowing

- Sub chondral bone destruction
- Periarticular osteoporosis
Open biopsy of the joint is done if diagnosis is still in doubt.
Treatment
- Anti-TB drug treatment
- Splint joint in functional position to avoid contracture
FRACTURES
Definition: A fracture is a structural breech in the normal continuity of bone.
Mechanism of injury
1- Tubular bone: - Direct violence to the bone
- Indirectly due to twisting or angulation
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2- Cancellous bone: - may be fractured by compression
E.g. Clash fracture of vertebral body or by traction
E.g. Transverse fracture of the patella
Bone Healing
o Progresses through the phase of hematoma, cellular proliferation, callus formation and
remodeling
o Generally takes longer than soft tissue healing
o In general, a long bone takes 6-12 weeks to heal in an adult and 3-6 weeks in children.
o Several factors, both local and systemic, affect fracture healing
• Local factors: - Degree of soft tissue injury

- Pattern and site of fracture
- Presence of Infection
- Adequacy of reduction
- Adequacy of immobilization
• Systemic factors: like debilitating diseases and immunosuppressive drugs

impair healing.
Classification
- Fractures may be classified in several ways. the most important clinical
classification is:
- Closed vs open (compound) fracture
Diagnosis
Clinical: - History of trauma
- Pain, swelling, inability to use the injured body part
- Tenderness, swelling and bruising
- Deformity, abnormal movement (sure signs of fracture)
X-ray: A suspected fractured bone should be x-rayed.

- X-ray should be taken in at least two planes (AP and lateral)
- Should always include the joints proximal and distal to the fracture
- Look in the X-ray for:
Presence of fracture
The part of bone fractured
The pattern of the fracture which can be transverse,
comminuted, oblique, spiral, segmental.
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Presence and type of displacement which can be lateral
shift, angulation, rotation, overlap, distraction
Quality of bone: check for:
• Osteoporosis
• Pathological fracture, etc
Management of a patient with fracture
A) GENERAL TREATMENT
- Like any trauma patient, follow the ATLS system. Associated life threatening
injuries may be missed if evaluation of the patient is not systematic.
- Always assess the status of distal circulation and neurological function.
- Administer anti pain and splint all fractures before sending the patient for x-ray or
referring.
B) Local treatment of the fracture:-
I-Reduction
• Means bringing the fractured bone to normal or near normal anatomic position.
This is needed only for displaced fractures
• Age and function of the patient are important in considering the goals of reduction
• Reduction may be done in various ways:
1- Using gravity E.g. Humeral shaft fracture
2- Closed reduction by:
A- Manipulation e.g. Colle’s fracture
B- Traction e.g. Femoral shaft fracture
3- Open (Operative) reduction: Used when other methods are not possible,
have failed or a perfect anatomic reduction is needed.
E.g. displaced intra articular fractures.
II- Immobilization
The purpose of immobilization is to:
prevent re displacement of a reduced fracture
decrease movement at the site of fracture and prevent further soft tissue injury
relieve pain
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Methods of Immobilization
1- Plaster of Paris (POP) cast

- Is the safest and cheapest method of immobilization
- Immobilization should always include the two adjacent joints
- Joints should be immobilized in a functional position
- Complications include joint stiffness and compartment syndrome.
2- Traction
A) Using gravity: e.g. U-slab for humeral shaft fracture
B) Skin traction: A method of applying traction using bandage, usually used
in children and temporarily in adults. The maximum weight that can be
applied is 2kg.
C) Skeletal traction: Traction applied via a pin inserted into the bone distal to
the fracture. E.g. Tibial pin traction for femoral fracture
3- External fixation
- This is a method of fixing the fracture by metal pins passed through the
bone above and below the fracture and connected to a metal frame.
- It is mostly used in compound fractures as it combines good access for
wound care with immobilization
4- Internal fixation
- Internal fixation is a method of operative fixation of fractures by plates,
nails, screws, pins and wires
- The rigid fixation allows patients to get out of bed early
- It’s employed when operative reduction has been done for any of the
reasons mentioned before.
- It’s also indicated in poly traumatized patients whose confinement in bed if
treated otherwise results in high morbidity and mortality.
- Infection is the main complication and may result in chronic osteomyelitis
- It also needs expertise and orthopedic surgical facilities.
III- Rehabilitation
- Preserving muscle and joint function both during and after treatment is an
essential component of fracture treatment for a good result.
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Compound (open) fractures
Open (compound) fracture

- This is a fracture in which the fracture hematoma communicates with skin or
mucous membrane.
- Infection is the most feared complication of compound fractures and may cause
delayed healing, non union, sepsis or even death.
- It is a surgical emergency
Principles of management:
- Early wound debridement and thorough irrigation with saline
- Antibiotics: Broad spectrum e.g. Penicillin + Aminoglycoside should be given IV at
least for 48 hrs.
- Rigid immobilization with access to the wound e.g. external fixation
- Delayed wound closure!
N.B: Never close a compound fracture immediately in an attempt to convert it to a closed

one. You’ll cause a severe anaerobic infection!
Complications of Fractures
I- Soft tissue Injuries
- Arteries, Nerves and Viscera may be injured
II- Compartment syndrome

• Is a dangerously increased pressure within the enclosed fascial compartments
of extremities, especially forearm and leg.
• The high compartmental pressure causes Ischemia and necrosis of soft tissues
in the compartment.
• It may be aggravated by application of tight bandages or circular POP casts on a
freshly injured limb.
• Severe pain, especially with passive flexion of fingers is the earliest indicator.
• Paresthesia, Paralysis, Pallor or Pulselessness may develop later,
• Early diagnosis and complete splitting of a tight bandage or circular POP cast
may resolve the situation.
• Fasciotomy is done if the above measures have failed.
101
III- Infection
- Usually complicates open fractures
- Chronic osteomyelitis may be the result.
- Adequate debridement is the most critical factor in preventing infection.
IV- Bone healing abnormalities

1- Delayed Union
- Failure of a fracture to heal in the expected time period.
2- Non union
- Total failure of the fracture to heal with formation of a false joint
between the fractured ends (pseudoarthrosis)
3- Malunion
- Healing occurs with deformity
4- Avascular necrosis
- Necrosis of part of the fractured bone occurs due to disruption of its
vascular supply. E.g. Femoral head.
V- Joint complications
• Joint stiffness
• Secondary Hemarthrosis
• osteoarthritis
VI- Systemic complications

• Usually follow polytrauma and major long bone fracture
• Include ARDS and fat embolism syndrome
DISLOCATIONS
A dislocation is a total disruption of joint with no remaining contact between the articular
surfaces.
A subluxation is partial joint disruption with partial remaining but abnormal contact of articular
surfaces.
Types of Dislocation
1- Traumatic dislocations
- This is a type of dislocation caused by trauma. A force strong enough to

disrupt the joint capsule and other supporting ligamentous structures
dislocates a previously normal joint.
102
2- Pathological /Spontaneous dislocation
- This is a type of dislocation which occurs when a pathological condition in the

joint causes abnormality in the structural integrity of the joint.
E.g. Septic hip dislocation
3- Recurrent dislocation
- This is a dislocation which repeatedly occurs after trivial injuries due to

weakening of the supportive joint structures
4- Congenital dislocation
- A type of dislocation which is present congenitally since birth.
E.g. Congenital hip dislocation
Diagnosis
- The limb assumes an abnormally fixed position with loss of normal range of
movement in the affected joint.
- Associated soft tissue injuries should be looked for:
E.g. Popliteal artery in knee dislocation Sciatic nerve in posterior hip dislocation
- X-ray in various planes and views confirms diagnosis
Management
• Early reduction of the dislocation
• Immobilizing the joint to allow time for the supporting structures of the joint to heal
• Rehabilitation of the joint
AMPUTATIONS
An amputation is removal or excision of part or whole of a limb.
Indications
1- Dead limb (Gangrene)

- Due to: - Atherosclerosis
- Embolism
- Major arterial injury
- Diabetic gangrene…
103
2- Deadly limb
- Life threatening infection (e.g. Gas gangrene) or malignancies which can’t be
controlled by other local measures
3- Dead loss
- Severe soft tissue injury especially associated with major nerve injury, which
may occur in compound fractures.
Level of amputation
The choice for the level of amputation depends on:
- Age
- The nature and extent of the pathology e.g. Neoplasm, trauma
- The vascularity of tissues
- Presence of infection
- Status of the joints
- Access to the various types of prostheses
Generally, the most distal level that will heal and still provide a functional stump is
selected.
- In the upper limb, attempt should be made to conserve every possible
inch.
- In the lower limb, the most important factor is to try and conserve the knee
joint whenever possible.
Amputations performed in the face of infection should be left open for a later closure.
Complications of amputation
- Edema
- Hematoma
- Secondary and reactionary hemorrhage
- Infection
- Ischemic necrosis
- Flexion contracture
- Chronic pain-psychogenic, neuromas, etc.
104
Review Questions
1. Describe the pathogenesis of acute osteomyelitis.
2. A 25 year old man presents with severe pain and swelling of his right knee joint of two
days duration. Discuss his management.
3. Describe the management of a patient with compound fracture.
4. What is compartment syndrome? Describe its clinical manifestation and management.
5. List the indications for amputation.
6. What are the factors considered in deciding the level of an amputation?
105
Reference
1. Review of orthopedics. Mark D. Miller, 1992.
2. Sabiston Text Book of Surgery, 1997.
3. Schwartz Text Book of Surgery,1999
4. Bailey and Love’s Short Practice of Surgery.
106
CHAPTER ELEVEN
ANESTHESIA
Learning Objective
After reading this chapter, the student should be able to:
Get basic information and understanding about the proper pre-anesthetic preparation
of a patient before surgery,
Get basic knowledge on different types of anesthesia with their characteristics.
Get basic knowledge about the steps in the assessment and management of a
patient with cardio-respiratory arrest, needing cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
PRE-ANESTHETIC PATIENT EVALUATION AND PREPARATION

INTRODUCTION
The purpose of pre anesthetic assessment is to present the patient for surgery in the best
possible condition. Pre anesthetic assessment and preparation should include:
o Medical History
o Relevant physical examination
o Checking the results of tests or investigation
o Correct or improve any medical conditions before surgery
o Prescribing any drugs for pre-medication (if needed)
o Explaining to the patient the procedure of anesthesia
History
o Diagnosis and planned surgery
o Actual medical and surgical history
Respiratory system: Ask if there is history of shortness of breath, cough, sputum

production and wheezing
Cardiovascular system: Check if there is history of:
o Angina/previous myocardial infarction, current orthopnea, ankle swelling
Past medical history: Such as bleeding disorders, hypertension, asthma, seizures,

psychiatric disorders, previous anesthesia and any problem related to anesthesia
107
Drug therapy: History of intake of drugs like:
- Anti-diabetics
- Anticoagulants
- Steroids
- Anti-hypertensive
Additional history on:

Excessive alcohol intake, smoking and allergies to drugs
Pregnancy
Dental status (loose teeth)
Fasting
Physical Examination
Respiratory System
Check for cyanosis, finger clubbing, pattern and frequency of breathing, position of trachea,
presence of added sounds on auscultation and their localization.
Cardiovascular system
Check the pulse rate, rhythm and character; blood pressure (raised or lowering of the blood
pressure), peripheral dependent edema, apex beat, extra heart sounds.
State of nutrition and hydration
Assess the body weight and height (BMI) and state of hydration.
Skin color
Check for pallor, cyanosis, jaundice (suspect liver disease which needs some attention
during anesthesia), and hyper-pigmentation.
Psychological status of the patient
This will influence the choice between regional and general anesthesia and also to give pre-
medication.
CNS: Should be assessed for level of consciousness and neurological deficit
The airway:
Assess for difficulty of the airway maintenance and laryngoscopy, anatomical problems like
receding lower jaw, protruding teeth; pathological problem like difficulty in opening jaw or
neck-extension, tumors, inflammation or burn-contractions on the neck
108
Ease of venous cannulation: Finally, check for the ease of venous access
Investigations: There are routine investigations prior to any surgery which requires
anesthesia. This depends on the facilities and the condition of patient and type of surgery.
Special investigations should be ordered according to the condition of the patient.
District Hospital: (Where the facilities are restricted)

• Hemoglobin
• Urine analysis
Referral Hospital:
• Hemoglobin and full blood count
• Urine analysis
• Blood Urea Nitrogen/Creatinine
• Serum electrolytes
• Electrocardiogram (age over 40 years)
Correct or improve any medical conditions before surgery (preoperative care)
In case of elective surgery
Fluid imbalance: The volume of circulating fluid should be corrected.
Electrolyte imbalance: Correct, especially sodium and potassium imbalance.
Smoking: Smoking should be given up at least three days preoperatively because of the
increased risk of bronchial exudation and the bronchospasm.
Dental treatment should be carried out if necessary before any major surgery.
Anemia: A value below 10 g/dl should be corrected.
Cardiovascular diseases: A period of 6 months should be allowed after an attack of

myocardial infarction. Cardiac failure must be treated for achieving a maximum
compensation. Arrhythmias must not be too severe to interfere with patient’s cardiac
output and hypertension should be treated properly.
Respiratory disease: Acute respiratory disease is contraindication for elective general

anesthesia. Asthma must be treated with appropriate bronco-dilators until the chest is
clear to auscultation.
Metabolic diseases: Diabetes mellitus must be controlled. After severe case of infective
hepatitis, operation is best postponed for a minimum of 6 months. Thyroid disorders
(both hyper and hypothyroidism) must be corrected.
109
In case of emergency surgery: Patients presenting for emergency surgery face additional
problems to those with elective surgery. These include full stomach with high risk of
aspiration and hypovolemia due to blood or fluid loss which has to be replaced as fast
as possible. Measures which should be taken in case of full stomach include:
- Postpone surgery for at least 4 hours.
- Empty the stomach using Naso-Gastric Tube of largest possible size.
- Magnesium tricilicate to reduce the pH of the gastric content.
- Especial “Crash induction” can be employed in the case of general anesthesia.
Crash induction:
This is a procedure used to prevent aspiration when full stomach is suspected.

¾ First preoxygenate the patient and give induction agent to make sleep.
¾ An assistant apply pressure on the cricoids just below the thyroid cartilage
to occlude the esophagus.
¾ Then, muscle relaxant given
¾ The pressure will be removed when the endotracheal tube is in the
trachea and the balloon is inflated
N.B.: In case of a life-threatening emergency, there is no contraindication for general

anesthesia!
Measures before leaving the ward to the theater
- Food and drink with held for 6 hours
- Lipstick removed, nails cleaned, etc.
- Dentures, artificial limbs and eyes removed
- Bladder emptied
- Premedication given
Premedication
Definition: Premedication is administration of drugs before surgery.
Purposes:
- To alleviate anxiety and fear with sedatives (Diazepam)
- To reduce secretions especially salivary and bronchial (Atropine)
- To prevent undesirable reflexes, e.g. bradycardia (Atropine)
- To facilitate induction and reduce the dose of anesthetic used
110
Commonly used drugs:
¾ Diazepam 10 mg
¾ Atropine 0.01 mg/kg IV / 0.02 mg/kg IM (ideally 30 min prior surgery)
Route of administration:
- Oral with small amount of water
- Intramuscular (for children)

- Intravenous injection:
- Pre medication has not been given earlier in the ward

- In patients who have already intravenous infusion running
- In shocked patients
- In a patient who has a bleeding tendency
CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR)
Definition: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is the attempt to restor the vital functions of the
body, which are the respiration and the circulation.
ABC of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

A = Assessment and Airway
B = Breathing
C = Circulation
D = Drugs
A. Assessment: Assess the patient for response by

gently shaking the shoulders
shouting, “are you all right?”
If the patient responds by moving or answering, leave him/her in the position in which they
were found (assuming there is no further danger) and look for any obvious injuries or causes
for collapse (Diabetic, intoxication, etc).
If there is any suspicion of a neck injury, protect the cervical spine by manual immobilization.
Provide first aid for any injuries present and carefully reassess the patient at the regular
interval.
If the patient does not respond, shout for help.
111
Fig. 1: Opening the Airway
By tilting the head back, open the airway by lifting the tongue off the fall by lifting the chin.
Inspect the posterior pharyngeal wall. Remove any obvious obstruction from the mouth
including loose denture.
Fig. 1: Opening the airway. Top: Airway obstruction produced by tongue and epiglottis
Bottom: Relief by head tilt –chin lift
B. Breathing:
¾ Look, listen and feel for breathing (Fig. 2).
¾ Look for chest movement.
¾ Listen at the mouth for breathing sounds.
¾ Feel for expired air with your cheek.
¾ Look, listen and feel for up to 10 seconds before deciding whether
breathing is present or absent.
Fig. 2: Determining breathlessness
112
If the patient is breathing:
¾ Turn the person into the recovery position (lateral position) unless you would
aggravate any injuries (cervical spine injuries).
¾ Observe him/her closely checking that uninterrupted breathing continues and
pulse is present.
If the patient is not breathing:

¾ Turn the patient into supine position and give two breaths of expired air
ventilation (mouth to mouth breathing) (Fig. 3) then check the circulation.
¾ Expired air ventilation provides oxygen concentration of 16%, which is
adequate to oxygenate the collapsed patient in the initial phase.
Fig. 3: Rescue breathing: Mouth to mouth breathing
C. Circulation (Fig. 4)
¾ Check the carotid pulse just lateral to the laryngeal prominence. Major pulses
like the carotid or femoral pulses are more reliable in an emergency than
peripheral pulses.
¾ Feel up to 10 seconds before deciding about the presence or absence of pulse.
¾ Look for any other signs of circulation (movement, swallowing, etc).
Fig. 4: Determining pulselessness. Locate the larynx while maintaining the head-tilt position
(left). Slide the fingers into the groove between the trachea and the muscles at the
side of the neck where the carotid pulse can be felt (right).
113
If pulse is present:
¾ Continue ventilation giving 10 breaths per minute.
¾ Reassess for signs of continuing circulation every minute, taking no more than 10
seconds to do so on each occasion.
¾ If signs of a spontaneous respiratory effort appear, stop and reassess ABC again.
If there are no signs of circulation, this is a cardiac arrest.

¾ Start external chest compression (Fig. 5).
¾ Give 15 chest compressions.
¾ Reopen the airway and give a further 2 breathes of expired air ventilation.
¾ External chest compression provides only 20% of normal cardiac out put.
Fig. 5: External chest compression.

Left: Locating the correct hand position on the lower half of the sternum
Right: Proper position of the rescuer with shoulder directly over the victim’s sternum and
elbows locked
114
SUMMARY: ABC OF LIFE SUPPORT
Is the patient responsive? YES Assess the need for help
NO
Is the patient breathing? YES Open the airway

Check for 10 seconds
NO
Is there a pulse? Place in the recovery position

YES
Check for 10 seconds
NO
Start external chest

compression
Give 2 ventilations Continue to ventilate and reassess

15 compressions to 2 ventilation
D. Drugs:
Open the intravenous line and start with resuscitation fluid and at the same time one of the
assistants can prepare adrenaline and give 1 mg every 3 minutes. In the meantime continue
with breathing and external cardiac compression. Check for pupilary reaction as well. After
20-30 minute if there is no sign of heart beat and pupilary reaction one can stop
resuscitation.
SYSTEMIC (GENERAL) ANESTHESIA
Definition: Several different types of drugs with different properties can produce the state of
anesthesia.
General Anesthesia: the method of making the patient pain free and unaware about what is
going on during the surgery.
Regional anesthesia: a method of blocking of nerve impulses before they reach the central
nervous system using local acting drugs in order to induce analgesia and /or
relaxation.
115
Advantages of General Anesthesia
• It can be given quickly
• It makes the patient’s whole body insensitive to pain
• It makes the patient unconscious
A general anesthesia may cause both respiratory and cardio-vascular complications, which
will require intervention. To fight against the complications, one should:
¾ Keep a vein open before anesthesia
¾ Have to prepare equipments for securing air way and possible ventilation.
Steps of general anesthesia

¾ Premedication
¾ Induction
¾ Maintenance
¾ Recovery
Premedication
Premedication can be started in the ward and /or in the OR before surgery.
Induction of Anesthesia
Induction of anesthesia is to make the patient unconscious. Before giving the drugs to make
the patient sleep you should let him/her breathe 100% oxygen, which will be used as a
reserve during the time of intubation. Induction can be performed:
• With intravenous anesthetic agents: Ketamine + Atropine or Thiopentone
• With inhalation agent (e.g. Halothane)
After the patient is induced, the anesthesia can be continued with intubation or with out
(mask ventilation or spontaneous breathing).
Endo tracheal intubation:
It is a technique of passing an endotracheal tube into the trachea of the patient for securing
the airway, and to make easier ventilation. For Intubation the patient should be adequately
relaxed with inhalation agent or muscle relaxant. The relaxant used for intubation is
Suxamethonium, which has fast onset of action and short effect.
116
Equipment necessary for intubation and resuscitation:
• Face mask
• Self inflating bag (Ambo)
• Oropharyngeal air way (different sizes)
• Suction machine with suction tip
• Laryngoscope with different blade sizes
• Endotracheal tubes
Maintenance of Anesthesia: The anesthesia can be maintained with:

• inhalation agent (halothane or ether ± muscle relaxant
• inhalation agent + ketamine ± muscle relaxant
• intermittent Ketamine or Ketamine drip ± muscle relaxant
• Muscle relaxants for maintenance which usually are long-acting ones (e.g.
Pancuronium, Vecuronium).
Monitoring: During anesthesia it is important to do strict monitoring of heart beat, blood

pressure, respiration, temperature, fluid balance and urine output.
The carrier gas for volatile anesthetic agent can be atmospheric air or oxygen from
compressed source depending on the type of Anesthesia machine in use.
Recovery and Extubation:
During recovery phase the patient recovers from:

• Inhalation agents by exhalation and/or metabolism
• Ketamine by excretion and metabolism
• Muscle relaxants by excretion and/or metabolism and/or reversal with
neostigmine
Before extubation
• Be sure that the patient is breathing adequately (reversed from relaxant)
• Suck oropharyngeal secretion
• Deflate the cuff (which is used for adults) and remove the endotracheal tube
Transportation and immediate postoperative care:

• Transport in the recovery position
• Check and observe closely the pulse rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, urine
output hourly, any abnormal and continuing blood loss and presence of pain.
117
Ketamine Anesthesia
Ketamine can make the patient unconscious with good analgesic effect. Because of these
reasons it can be used alone for short procedures and surgery, which does not require
relaxation and intubation.
Dose and route of administration:

Intramuscular: 5-10 mg/kg
Intravenous: 1-2 mg/kg
The effect of one single dose lasts for about 15 min. A dose of 0.5 mg/kg can be repeated
intravenously for maintenance. IM-maintenance is not recommended.
• Diazepam 5-10 mg should be given for adults to prevent bad dreams of
Ketamine.
• Atropine 0.01mg/kg IV or 0.02 mg/kg IM should be given as premedication to
decrease intra-bronchial secretion, which is increased by Ketamine.
REGIONAL ANESTHESIA
Before performing conduction block, full facilities for resuscitation should be available.
Toxicity of local anesthetics
All local anesthetic drugs are potentially toxic due to:

• Allergic reactions
• Systemic toxicity due to accidental intravascular injection or overdose
CNS-Toxicity:
Drowsiness
This presents with unconsciousness, which progresses to convulsion, cardiovascular

toxicity, hypotension and cardiac dysrhythmia.
Treatment of systemic toxicity

• The best treatment of systemic toxicity is prevention by meticulous attention to
technique and recognition of intravascular injection.
• Oxygen must be administered at the first sign of toxicity.
• Control seizure with Diazepam or Thiopental.
Commonly used local anesthetic drugs
118
Lidocaine (Xylocaine) 1%, 2% or 5% with or without Adrenaline in dose of:
With Adrenaline: 7 mg/kg
Without Adrenaline: 3 mg/kg
• Bupivacaine (Carbosthesin, Marcain) 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75% without Adrenaline

Maximum dose: 2 mg/kg
Adding Adrenaline to Lidocaine has two useful effects:

• Allows larger dose of Lidocaine without toxic effect, by causing vasoconstriction
which reduces the rate of absorption of the drug.
• As the rate of absorption of local anesthetic drug is slow, the duration of anesthesia
increases.
• Never use local anesthetic drugs with adrenaline in areas supplied with end arteries
e.g.
o For finger block
o At the ear lobe
o For circumcision (on penis)
Contraindications to conduction anesthesia

o True allergy to local anesthetic drugs
o Infection at the intended site of injection
o Systemic treatment of the patient with anti coagulant drugs
Types of conduction blocks
A) Spinal Anesthesia
Definition: Spinal anesthesia is a conduction block of nerve roots achieved by injecting a

small volume of concentrated local anesthetic solution into the subarachnoidal
space through the lumbar puncture. The level of lumbar puncture is at the
interspaces between the 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebrae. The procedure should be
performed with strict aseptic technique.
Drugs used
o Heavy or isobaric 0.5% Bupivacaine, duration of anesthesia 2-3 hours
o Heavy 5% Lidocaine, duration of anesthesia 90 minutes
Indications
Spinal anesthesia is appropriate for procedures involving below the level of umbilicus like in
the lower extremities, hip, perineum, lower abdomen, lumbar spine.
119
Contraindications:
Complications for spinal anesthesia include:

o Patient refusal
o Patient with uncorrected hypovolemia
o Local infection
o Bleeding tendency
o Raised intracranial pressure
Procedure of spinal anesthesia

• Choose the lumbar interspace below the 2nd lumbar vertebrae (usually the 3rd
or the 4th interspace) (Fig. 6 + 7).
• Clean and drape.
• Do the lumbar puncture (Fig. 8 top left).
• When the cerebro-spinal fluid starts to drip on removal of the stylet from the
spinal needle, (Fig. 8 top right) slowly inject a local anesthetic solution 2 - 3 ml
0.5% Bupivacaine (Fig.8). Turn the patient to a supine position with pillow
under the head in the case of heavy (hyperbaric) local anesthetic drug.
Complications of spinal anesthesia and measures to take
• Drop in blood pressure-due to high spinal block

- Give Oxygen - Make faster the drip if that does not help.
- Give smaller dose of ephedrine starting with 5mg and bolus, usually,
1-2. If prolonged effect is required give 25-50 mg IM.
• Bradycardia
- Give Atropine 0.01 mg/kg IV
• Total spinal block with anesthesia and paralysis of the whole body
- Intubate and ventilate
- Treat Hypotension
• Post spinal headache

- Bed rest
- Hydration
120
Fig. 6: Lateral positioning of the patient and selecting the lumbar interspace
Fig. 7: Sitting position of the patient and selecting the lumbar interspace
121
Fig. 8: Technique of Spinal Anesthesia
B) Nerve block
Definition: Nerve block is injection of a solution of local analgesic drug near the nerve or
nerves supplying the area to be operated on. The commonly used local
anesthetic drug is Lidocaine with concentration of 1-2%.
Commonly performed nerve blocks:
o Digital nerve block

o Axillary block of the brachial plexus
o Wrist-block
122
C) Field block
Field block is injection of local analgesic so as to create a zone of analgesia around the
operative field. It can be used for:
o Repair of an inguinal hernia
o Caesarean section
o Circumcision
D) Infiltration
Infiltration is direct injection of drugs into the area to be incised and between bone ends in
fractures. Lidocaine 0.5% is adequate for simple infiltration.
E) Topical anesthesia
This can be performed simply by applying 4% lidocaine to the mucus membrane, for minor
surgery and instrumentation of:
o Nose
o Mouth
o Eye
o Pharynx and larynx
o Urethral procedures
123
Review Questions
1. A 60 year old male patient presents to Emergency OPD with persistent

vomiting, abdominal distension and failure to pass flatus and feces. After
evaluation by the surgeon, it is decided to take him to the operating theater.
What preoperative preparation should be performed before surgery?
2. 35 year old man with wt of 60 kg comes for inguinal herniorrhaphy which is

planned to be done under local anesthesia.
a) What is the maximum volume of 1% Lidocaine (with Adrenaline) you can
give?
b) Immediately after injection of Lidocaine, the patient tries to say something
to you, subsequently he fails to communicate and the pulse is getting
weak. What are your immediate measures?
3. A 17 year old girl is brought to the Emergency department with polytrauma after a
car accident. At arrival her BP is not recordable, she is unconscious and
cyanotic. How do you manage this patient?
4. You receive a patient from the OR, who had major surgery. How do you follow
this patient in the immediate post-operative period?
124
References
1. PG Barash, BF Calla, RK Stoepting: Clinical anesthesia. Lippincott Company,

Philadelphia, 1989.
2. L Bartholomeusz: Safe Anesthesia: A Training manual, where facilities are limited. 2nd
ed., Victoria, Australia, 1996.
3. GB Bushman, NJH Davies, JN Cashman: Lee’s Synopsis of Anesthesia. 12th edition,

Butterworth Heinemann, 1999.
4. Adult Basic life support. JAMA, October 28, Vol. 268, No. 16, 1992, pp. 2184 – 97.
5. CA Graham, D Scollon, J McGowan, M. WG Gordon: Resuscitation 1: Basic life

support. British Journal of Hospital Medicine, Vol. 56, No 2/3, 1997.
6. Dobson: Anesthesia at the District Hospital. World Health Organization, Geneva, 1988.
125

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Table of Contents

Chapter One: Shock............................................................................................................. 1

Chapter Two: Fluid and Electolytes ..................................................................................... 5

Chapter Three: Blood Transfusion ....................................................................................... 17

Chapter Four: Pre-Operative and Post-Operative Care ...................................................... 23

Chapter Five: Aseptic and Antisepic Techniques ................................................................ 36

Chapter Six: Suture Materials and Suturing......................................................................... 43

Chapter Eight: Surgical Infections ........................................................................................ 61

Chapter Nine: Trauma.......................................................................................................... 77

Head and Spinal Injuries ............................................................................ 86

Chapter Ten: Orthopedic Surgery ........................................................................................ 94

Chapter Eleven: Anesthesia................................................................................................. 107

• State the clinical definition of shock

Hypovolemic shock is present when marked reduction in oxygen delivery

Cardiogenic shock is present when there is severe reduction in oxygen delivery

Septic Shock (vasogenic shock) develops as a result of the systemic effect of

Neurogenic shock results primarily from the disruption of the sympathetic

PATHO PHYSIOLOGY OF SHOCK

Estimated blood loss 750-1500ml 1500ml-2000ml >2000 ml

Blood pressure Normal Reduced Severely Reduced

• The anatomy and physiology of body fluids and electrolytes

Equivalents or milliequivalents: number of electric charges per unit volume.

A mole of a substance is the molecular weight of that substance in grams. An equivalent of

NORMAL DISTRIBUTION OF BODY FLUIDS

Total body water

Total body water is further divided into two:

N.B. Physiologically all compartments of body water are interdependent.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF BODY FLUID COMPARTMENTS

CATIONS ANIONS CATIONS ANIONS CATIONS ANIONS

Plasma Intracellular fluid Interstitial fluid

AVERAGE DAILY WATER EXCHANGE

Out put Urine: 1500 ml

N.B: A minimum urinary output of approximately 400 ml in 24 hours is required to excrete

Ions Carbohydrate Used for replacement of

Physiologic saline 154 154 0 0 Blood/ extra cellular fluid loss

DISTURBANCES OF FLUID AND ELECTROLYTES

Disturbances in body fluids can be classified into three:

DISTURBANCE IN FLUID VOLUME

Rate of fluid replacement

Sodium depletion (Hyponatremia): Na+ less than 130 milliequivalent/liter

Sodium Excess (Hypernatremia): Na+ more than 145 mmol

Potassium depletion (Hypokalemia): K + less than 3.5 millimol

Potassium Excess (Hyperkalemia): K + more than 5 mmol

Hypocalcaemia (serum level below 8mg/dl)

Hypercalcaemia (serum calcium over10.5mg/dl)

ACID – BASE BALABCE

Alkalosis (accumulation of Base or loss of acid)

Respiratory Alkalosis (PCO2 below the normal range of 31 – 42 mmHg)

Acidosis (accumulation of acid or loss of base)

ACID BASE BALANCE SUMMARY

4. Outline treatment of a patient with metabolic acidosis

1. Bialy & Love – Short Practice of Surgery, 23rd edition

2. Schwartz, Principles of Surgery, 7th edition, short pimple year of surgery

3. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th edition

4. General Surgery at the District Hospital, WHO 1998.

Indications for blood transfusion

Stop transfusion immediately

Plain x-ray-generalized dilatation and gaseous distention of the bowel loops

Fever during the 4th to 5th day