Degree of Urgency

Degree of Urgency

1. emergency – immediate attention, life threatening ie. bleeding, intestinal obstruction, gunshot,

stab, extensive burns

2. urgent – prompt attention (24-30 hrs) ie. acute GB or ureteral stones

3. required – pt needs to have operation (few wks. to months) ie. prostatic hyperplasia without

bladder obstruction, thyroid, cataracts

4. elective – failure to have not catastrophic, but should be operated upon ie. stress incontinence,

repair scars, hernia simple, vaginal repair

5. optional – decision rests with pt. (personal preference) – ie. cosmetic surgery – nose job

1. diagnostic – determine or confirm cause of symptoms. ie. lymph node biopsy, check for Hodgkins

disease exploratory laparotomy (rare), bronchoscopy, breast biopsy

2. curative – removal of a diseased part appendectomy or excision of a tumor

3. reparative – rejoin a separated area. ie. mend a multiple stab wound

4. restorative – strengthen weakened area, correct deformities. ie. herniorrhaphy, mitral valve

replacement

5. palliative – relieve symptoms without curing the disease – rhizotomy (cut nerve root to ↓pain),

sympathectomy (cut nerve that controls HCL production, usually control of HCL is with meds)

6. cosmetic – improve appearance – plastic surgery

A. constructive – cleft palate

B. reconstructive – graft after burn

7. ablative – remove diseased tissue, organ, or extremity, ie. amputation, appendectomy, excision of

tumor, colon resection,

8. transplantation - replacement of organs / structures ie. kidney, liver, cornea, heart, joints

Marshall Marchetti Krantz (surgery named after Dr.) - bladder tucks

Suffixes

1. ectomy – removal of an organ or gland ie. hemorrhoidectomy, appendectomy, cholecystectomy

2. orrpaphy – suturing or stitching ie. herniorrhaphy – intestines can drop through

3. ostomy – providing of a permanent opening (stoma) colostomy (colon)

4. otomy – cutting into or incision of ie. tracheotomy

5.plasty – plastic repair ie. rhinoplasty

6.oscopy – looking into ie. bronchoscopy, endoscopy

Effects of Surgery on the Patient

1. physiological & psychological

2. stress reaction or response (normal)

3. psychological response not directly related to type of surgery ie. some patients are very stressed

about a (minor) mole removal on face, others don't seem stressed about (major) surgery

have pt talk through this

Physiologic Responses – compensatory mechanisms

sympathetic nervous system – activated due to stress

hormonal response – endocrine

these act to protect the body when stress is too great, or blood loss is severe (body will go into shock)