Chapter 23: General Surgery
What does a midline incision expose?
- lower esophagus - stomach - small intestine - liver - biliary system - spleen - pancreas - proximal colon
What are the types of region-specific abdominal incisions?
- midline incision - paramedian incision - sub costal incision - flank incision - inguinal incision - McBurney incision - Rocky Davis - mid abdominal transverse - lower transverse incision (Pfannenstiel)
What are some functions of the muscles and fascia of the abdominal wall?
- protect the abdominal viscera - move the upper body in flexion and rotation - assist in respiration - assist in the "bearing down" during defecation and childbirth
What are the functions of the abdominal peritoneum?
- protects the viscera in the abdomen - secreted serous fluids, allowing abdominal structure to slide over each other easily
Which tissue layers are involved in a paramedian incision?
- skin - subcutaneous fat - anterior rectus muscles - rectus fascia - abdominal peritoneum
What tissues are involved in an inguinal incision?
- skin - subcutaneous fat - fascia - muscle - ligaments - peritoneum
Which tissues are involved in a McBurney incision?
- skin - subcutaneous fat - fascia - oblique and transversalis muscles - abdominal peritoneum
What tissues are involved in a lower transverse abdominal (Pfannenstiel) incision?
- skin - subcutaneous fat - rectus fascia - rectus muscles
Which tissues are involved in a subcostal incision?
- skin - subcutaneous fat - rectus muscles - fascia - abdominal peritoneum
Which tissues layers are involved in a midline incision?
- skin -subcutaneous fat - fascia (linea Alba) - abdominal peritoneum
Procedures for a TEP repair
1. A perimbilical incision is made through the rectus sheath 2. Tissues are dissected manually and then retracted. 3. A balloon tissue expander is introduced 4. The preperitoneal space is inflated, and the expander is removed. 5. A balloon trocar is inserted to seal the space 6. Two additional 5-mm ports are created. 7. The direct or indirect hernia is reduced, and polypropylene mesh is secured over the defect. 8. The wounds are closed as for a transabominal preperitoneal (TAPP) procedure
Procedures of a TAPP repair
1. Pneumoperitoneum is established, and trocars are inserted into the abdomen. 2. A transverse incision is made above the direct hernia space. 3. The weakened area in the pelvic floor is reinforced with mesh. 4. The peritoneum is closed. 5. Pneumoperitoneum is released, and the port incisions are closed.
Procedures for repair of an incisional or ventral hernia
1. The abdominal scar is removed and the edges of the previous incision are trimmed 2. Old sutures are removed 3. Abdominal adhesions are separated from the viscera and the interior abdominal wall 4. Synthetic mesh is secured over the abdominal defect 5. Al layers of the abdominal wall are closed
Procedures for an open repair of a femoral hernia
1. The groin is incised on the affected side 2. The hernia sac is identified and opened 3. The sac is ligated and removed 4. Synthetic mesh is secured over the defect 5. The wound is closed in layers as for an inguinal hernia
Procedures for umbilical hernia repair
1. a periumbilical incision is made 2. the linea alba defect is identified 3. the defect is dissected free of any tissue and the muscuofascial margins are idenified 4. the defect is repaired with sutures or mesh 5. the wound is closed
Procedures of an open repair of an indirect inguinal
1. a right or left inguinal incision is made 2. the layers of the abdominal wall are incised, and the edges are retracted 3. the spermatic cord is dissected from preperitoneal fat and other surrounding tissue 4. the spermatic cord is retracted with a small Penrose drain 5. the hernia sac is dissected from the cord and opened. The contents are pushed back into the abdomen. 6. The hernia sac is ligated with ties or a purse-string suture. 7. A synthetic mesh patch is sutured into place over the defect. 8. The abdominal wall is closed.
What is used to close the fascia during an indirect inguinal hernia repair?
2-0 nonabsorbable or absorbable synthetic sutures
What is used to close the subcutaneous tissue during an indirect inguinal hernia repair?
2-0 or 3-0 absorbable sutures
Wire localization
A biopsy procedure in which a hook wire is inserted under fluoroscopy into tissue suspected of s being cancerous.
Rectus Sheath
A broad fascial layer that extends across the abdomen without interruption
Morbid obesity
A condition in which the patient's body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher, and the individual is at least 100 pounds (45 kg) over the ideal weight despite aggressive attempts to lose weight.
Friable
A descriptive term for tissue that means fragile and easily torn, and may bleed profusely; example: liver and spleen
Hook wire
A device used to pinpoint he exact location of a nonpalpable mass detected during a mammogram. Fine wire inserted into the mass during he examination, and the tissue around the needle is removed for pathological examination and definite diagnosis
Cirrhosis
A disease of the liver in which the tissue hardens and the venous drainage becomes blocked. Usually caused by chronic alcoholism but may result from other disease conditions
Skin flap
A flap is created by incising he skin and cutting it away from the underlying tissue to which it is attached. Can be increased in size or "raised" as it is enlarged by dissection
Nasogastric (NG) tube
A flexible tube inserted through the nose and advanced into the stomach. Used to decompress the stomach or to provide a means of feeding the patient liquid nutrients and medication
Billroth I procedure
A gastroduodenostomy, or surgical anastomoses, of the stomach and the duodenum
Billroth II procedure
A gastrojejunostomy, or surgical anastomoses, or the stomach and the jejunum
Femoral hernia
A hernia arising from a weakness in the transversalis fascia below the inguinal ligament
Strangulated hernia
A hernia in which abdominal tissue has become trapped between the layers of an abdominal wall defect. Tissue usually becomes swollen as a result of venous congestion.
Strangulated hernia
A hernia in which abdominal tissue has become trapped between the layers of the abdominal wall defect; tissue usually becomes swollen as a result of venous congestion
Indirect inguinal hernia
A hernia in which abdominal viscera slides into the inguinal canal from the deep inguinal ring; herniated tissue may extend through the superficial ring in the spermatic cord into the scrotum or labia
Exploratory laparotomy
A laparotomy performed to examine the abdominal cavity when less invasive measures fail to confirm a diagnosis
Bowel technique
A method of preventing cross-contamination between the bowel contents and the abdominal cavity
Paramedian (upper and lower) incision
A muscle-splitting incision; less painful than a subcostal muscle-cutting incision for access to the upper quadrants
Mastectomy
A procedure in which breast tissue, including the skin, areola, and nipple, is removed, but the lymph nodes are not removed
Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB)
A procedure in which one or more lymph nodes are removed to determine whether a tumor is metastasized. Other lymph nodes may be removed periodically to determine whether metastasis had occurred
Laparotomy
A procedure in which the abdominal cavity is surgically opened.
Subcutaneous mastectomy
A procedure in which the breast is removed, but the skin, nipple, and areola are left intact; also called lumpectomy
Modified radical mastectomy
A procedure in which the entire breast, nipple, and areole region are removed. Lymph nodes also are usually removed
Hernia
A protrusion of tissue through a defect or weakness in the abdominal wall; most common pathology of the abdominal wall, can also occur along the linea Alba, umbilicus, and femoral regions
Technetium-99
A radioactive substance used to identify sentinel lymph nodes
Linea alba
A strip of a vascular tissue that follows the midline and extends from the pubis to the ciphoid process; extends the full length of the midline
Abdominal peritoneum (parietal peritoneum)
A strong serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity
-ostomy
A suffix that refers to an opening between two hollow organs; for example, gastroduodenostomy, a surgical procedures that joins the stomach and the duodenum
Gastrostomy
A surgical opening through the stomach wall connecting to the outside of the body or another hollow anatomical structure
Anastomosis
A surgical procedure in which two hollow structures are joined
Ostomy
A technique in which a new opening is made between w tubular structure such as the intestine or ureter and the outside of the body or another hollow structure or organ
Stoma appliance
A two- or three-piece medical device used to collect drainage from a stoma. The appliance is attached to the patient's skin and completely covers the stoma. This allows free drainage into a collection device or bag
Ventral hernia
A weakness in the abdominal wall, usually resulting in protrusion of abdominal viscera against the peritoneum and abdominal fascia
Umbilical hernia
Abdominal wall defect occurring in the linea Alba at the umbilical ring seen in infants and adults
Mesentery
An extension of the peritoneum that attaches to the posterior abdominal wall and fans out to cover the small intestine
Stoma
An opening created in a hollow organ structure or organ and sutured to the skin to drain the organ's contents; may be temporary or permanent method of bypass
Segmental resection
Anatomical resection of the liver in which segments divided by specific blood vessels and biliary ducts are removed
Greater omentum
Another extension of the serous membrane covering the stomach, duodenum, and part of the colon; often referred to as peritoneal reflections
What does a McBurney incision expose?
Appendix
What is made of synthetic material similar to suture?
Biosynthetic mesh
What is used to repair defects in the fascia?
Braided synthetic suture and surgical mesh; monofilament may also be used
What may cause weakness in the wall of the abdomen?
Congenital anomaly, previous surgery, or injury
Pelvic cavity
Contains structured of the reproductive, genitourinary, and lower GI systems
Abdominal cavity
Contains the abdominal viscera (organs)
Retroperitoneal cavity
Contains the kidneys, adrenal glands, and ureters
Which hernia is usually acquired in older men?
Direct inguinal hernia
Esophageal varices
Distended veins of the esophagus, caused by advanced liver disease. Occurs as a result of portal vein obstruction arising from fibrosis of the liver. May bleed profusely
Which hernia occurs mainly in women and may require surgery to prevent tissue incarceration?
Femoral hernia
What may be inserted before surgery to decompress the bladder during repair of an inguinal or a femoral hernia?
Foley catheter
_____ may be inserted before surgery to decompress the _____ during repair inguinal or a femoral hernia.
Foley catheter; bladder
Quadrants
Four major sections of the abdomen; also called landmarks; often mentioned as the general location of a medical finding or anatomical structure.
What type of anesthesia is commonly used in hernia repair procedures?
General or spinal
Which organs are located in the mediastinum?
Heart Trachea Right and left bronchi Esophagus Thymus gland Aortic arch and thoracic aorta Venue cavae Lymph nodes & thoracic duct
Incarcerated hernia
Herniated tissue that is trapped in an abdominal wall defect; requires emergency surgery to prevent ischemia and tissue necrosis
Body image
In psychology, the way a person sees himself or herself through the eyes of others.
Lower transverse abdominal (Pfannenstiel) incision
Incision follows the natural skin folds to achieve cosmetic closure; it is very strong and offers good exposure to the pelvic contents
Inguinal (oblique)
Incision is used to gain access to the inguinal repair; also may be used for inertial access to the spermatic cord
McBurney incision
Incision made on the right side, at an oblique angle, in the flank below the umbilicus; it is a muscle-splitting incision and offers only limited exposure
Midline incision
Incision made through the skin, subcutaneous fat, and the linea alba
Subcostal incision
Incision that follows the lower rib margin in a semi curved shape; it is painful postoperatively
Which hernia may require mesh reinforcement to bridge and strengthen the tissue edges?
Incisional hernia
In which surgical procedure does the surgeon incise the skin over the groin using the skin knife?
Indirect Inguinal Hernia
Which hernia is usually caused by a congenital weakness in the inguinal ring, and may require surgery?
Indirect inguinal hernia
Are infected abdominal wounds closed?
Infected abdominal wounds are generally not closed beyond the fascial layer, however heavy monofilament synthetic retention suture may be placed behind the line of incision
What set is used for procedures involving the abdominal wall?
Laparotomy set
Subcutaneous
Layer that lies directly under the skin; composed of lobulated adipose (fat) and varies in thickness from 1/4" to more than 8"
What are the nine regions of the abdomen?
Left and right rib Left and right flank Left and right inguinal area Epigastric region: upper abdomen Umbilical region: area near the umbilicus Hypogastric region: lower region
LLQ
Left lower quadrant
What organ/organs are located in the left pleural cavity?
Left lung
LUQ
Left upper quadrant
Which organs are located in the RUQ?
Liver Gallbladder Colin Portions of the small intestine
Biosynthesis mesh
Made of synthetic material similar to suture
What instrument is used to dissect the hernia sac away from the cord?
Metzenbaum scissors
What does an inguinal (oblique) incision expose?
Muscles and fascia of the inguinal abdominal wall, spermatic cord, inguinal ring, abdominal ring, inferior epigastric artery and vein
Longitudinal rictus muscles
Muscles attached from the pubis to the fifth, sixth, and seventh costal (rib) cartilages
Abdominal wall Gastrointestinal (GI) system Binary system (gallbladder and associated structures) Spleen Pancreas Hepatic system Breast
Organs and organ systems involved in general surgery
Inguinal canal
Originates at the opening in the transversalis fascia at the deep inguinal ring and continues to the superficial inguinal ring; splits between the muscle layers near the inguinal ligament
A ____ is usually measured and cut during surgery, although _____ patched are available.
Patch; precut
Direct inguinal hernia
Protrusion of abdominal or inguinal tissue directly through the transversalis fascia
Incisional hernia
Protrusion of abdominal tissue through one or more abdominal layers; results from a previous abdominal incision that failed to heal completely or later broke down because of obesity, infection, or disease
Spigelian hernia
Rare hernia occurring between the transverse abdominis and rectus muscles
RLQ
Right lower quadrant
Which organ/organs are in the right pleural cavity?
Right lung
What does the thoracic cavity contain?
Right pleural cavity Mediastinum Left pleural cavity
RUQ
Right upper quadrant
What does a paramedian incision expose?
Right: biliary system, pancreas Left: spleen, sigmoid colon
What does a subcostal incision expose?
Right: biliary system, spleen Left (chevron): liver transplantation
Remodeling phase of healing
Scar tissue fills the spaces
What happens during the remodeling phase of healing?
Scar tissue fills the spaces of the mesh
Posterior abdominal peritoneum
Separated the anterior abdominal cavity from the Retroperitoneal cavity
What are the tissues of the abdominal organs?
Skin Subcutaneous fatty tissue ("sub-cu") Fascia Muscle Peritoneum
What are the structures contained in the spermatic cord?
Spermatic fascia Cremaster muscle Genitofemoral nerve Ductus deferens Lymph vessels Testicular vein and artery
Which hernia is rarely diagnosed but is seen occasionally during surgery for other reasons?
Spigelian hernia
Which organs are located in the LUQ?
Stomach Pancreas Spleen Portions of the small instestine Kidneys Adrenal glands Descending aorta Ureters
Which hernia is an emergency condition requiring surgery to release the tissue and prevent each emus and necrosis?
Strangulated/ incarcerated hernia
What position is the patient in when undergoing surgical procedures of the abdominal wall?
Supine
What is used for most hernia repairs?
Surgical mesh
Lobectomy
Surgical removal of one or more anatomical sections of the liver
Hesselbach triangle
The area bounded by the refute abdominis muscle, the inguinal ligament, and the inferior epitgastric vessels; larger in males than in females
Which regions do hernias most often occur?
The inguinal and femoral regions
Bariatrics
The medical and surgical treatment of morbid obesity
Continguous
The muscles cross each other and attach at different levels in the fascia; examples: fatty and skin layers
Viscera
The organs or tissue of the abdominal fascia
What corresponds to the higher incidence of inguinal hernias in males?
The size of the Hesselbach triangle
Are infected abdominal wounds closed?
They are generally not closed beyond the fascial layer
Strangulated or incarcerated hernia
Tissue protruding from the hernia may become swollen and squeezed; may result in local ischemia or other complications
What is the principle of mesh repair?
To provide a bridge of strong material over the abdominal wall weakness and release tension on the tissue edges during repair and healing
Reduce
To replace or push herniated tissue back into its normal anatomical position
What is the surgical goal of an open repair of an indirect inguinal hernia?
To restore strength to the inguinal floor and prevent the abdominal viscera from entering the inguinal canal
What two techniques are currently used for the laparoscopic approach to a direct inguinal hernia?
Transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) laparoscopy Total extraperitoneal (TEP) surgery
What are the three flanking muscles? Where are they located?
Transverse external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominis muscles; lateral to the rictus muscles
Which hernia rarely requires surgery?
Umbilical adults
Which organs are located in the pelvic cavity?
Ureters Uterus and adnexa (female) Prostate gland (male) Urethra Urinary bladder Sigmoid colon Rectum
What does a lower transverse abdominal (Pfannenstiel) incision expose?
Uterus, adnexa, bladder, access for cesarean section
indirect inguinal hernia
a hernia that protrudes into the membranous sac of the spermatic cord; usually due to a congenital defect in the abdominal wall
direct inguinal hernia
a hernia that results from weakness in the inguinal floor
Transabdominl preperitoneal (TAPP) laparoscopy
a pneumoperitoneum is created and the inguinal canal is entered via the abdominal cavity
hernia
a protrusion of tissue under the skin through a weakened area of the body wall
linea alba
a strip of avascular tissue that follows the midline and extends fro the pubis to the xiphoid process
Fistula
a tract or tunnel through the tissue that develops a lining of epithelium
fistula
an abnormal tract or passage leading from one organ to another or from an organ to the skin; usually caused by infection
Hesselbach Triangle
an area bounded by the conjoint tendon, inguinal ligament, and inferior epigastric vessels
McBurney incision
an incision in which the oblique right muscle is manually split to allow removal of the apendix.
Direct inguinal hernia
arises from a defect behind the superficial inguinal ring in the inguinal floor, through the transversalis fascia
What are used to repair defects in the fascia?
braided synthetic sutures and surgical mesh; monofilaments may also be used
Which is an acquired hernia that occurs most often in older men and becomes larger with age or obesity?
direct inguinal hernia
What type of anesthesia is commonly used during a hernia repair procedure?
general or spinal anesthesia
incarcerated hernia
herniated tissue that is trapped in an abdominal wall defect; requires emergency surgery to prevent ischemia and tissue necrosis
What is it called when a herniated tissue becomes trapped by the surrounding tissue?
incarcerated or strangulated hernia
What set is used for procedures involving the abdominal wall?
laparotomy set
A _____ is usually measured and cut during surgery, although precut ones are available.
patch
What is used to retract the spermatic vessels and vas deferens (spermatic cord)?
penrose drain
evisceration
protrusion of the viscera outside the body as a result of trauma or wound diruption
Evisceration
protrusion of viscera outside of the body
Laparoscopic direct hernia repair is the preferred technique to ______ herniated tissue and _____ the inguinal floor.
reduce; strengthen
Ventral hernia
refers to any hernia occurring in the abdominal wall, excluding the groin or inguinal area
Indirect inguinal hernia
results in protrusion of the abdominal viscera into the inguinal canal from the deep inguinal ring
What is used to close the skin during an indirect inguinal hernia repair?
staples or 3-0 or 4-0 nonabsorbable sutures
What position is the patient placed in for procedures of the abdominal wall?
supine position
What is used for most hernia repairs?
surgical mesh
Where do hernias most often occur?
the inguinal and femoral regions; may also occur along the linea alba umbilicus, or previous abdominal incision
incisional hernia
the postoperative herniation of tissue into the tissue layers around an abdominal incision; this may occur in the immediate postoperative period or later, after an incision is healed
Total extraperitoneal (TEP) surgery
the preperitoneal space is inflated with a balloon dissector, which expands the tissue planes.
What causes an umbilical hernia?
the result of a defect in the linea alba at the umbilical ring
Abdominal peritoneum
the serous membrane lining the walls of the abdominal cavity
What is the surgical goal of a femoral hernia?
to reduce abdominal tissue that has entered the femoral canal; the abdominal wall defect is closed to prevent recurrence
What is the surgical goal for an umbilical hernia repair
to repair an abdominal wall defect in the periumbilical region