Thoracic Surgery
What is one of the most common regions injured following blunt trauma?
thorax
What are the reasons for therapeutic tail docking?
-trauma
-infection
-neoplasia
-possibly perianal fistulae
What is the treatment of pulmonary contusion?
-O2
-cage rest
-antibiotics
-bronchodilators
When starting anesthesia for a thoracic surgery, what is it important that you do?
rapid induction and intubation
What are the approaches for limb ampuation?
-mid humeral
-forequarter
-coxofemoral disarticulation
-midfemoral
What is the main thing you would want to do to help maintain ventilation in a patient with rib fractures?
pain control
What are the surgical approaches to the thorax?
-median sternotomy
Discuss steps considered when determining if a patient is a good candidate for limb amputation?
-owner concerns
-desired functional outcome
-will patient stand
-relative health of remaining limbs/joints
What is a severe condition where air accumulates in the pleural space rapidly, resulting in positive intrapleural pressure?
tension pneumothorax
Why do you want to make sure to use a thoracostomy tube or over the needle catheter before closing?
to remove residual air from the thoracic cavity to make negative pressure
What tool can be used to assist with a tail caudectomy?
needle
What situation would make a diaphragmatic hernia an emergency?
A. more than 33% of intestines are in the thorax
B. the liver is in the thorax
C. the stomach is distended and turning
D. more than 1/2 of the intestines are in the thorax
C. the stomach is distended and turning
What type of procedures would you use a median sternotomy for?
-pericardectomy
-spontaneous pneumothorax
-mediastinal tumor
-trauma
-exploratory thoracotomy
What are the major complications of caudectomy?
-hemorrhage
-tension
-tail too long
-wound disruption
-neuroma formation
-self mutilation due to pain
How would you treat a lung lobe torsion?
-Surgically and perform a lobectomy without untwisting the lobes
-Since lung torsions generally resolve on their own, put patient on O and monitor in the ICU.
-Surgically perform a lobectomy. Make sure to untwist the lung lobe first.
-Surgically perform a lobectomy, do not untwist the lung torsion.