ACVS Veterinary Surgery flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture

Common cause of hindlimb lameness in dogs; diagnosed by positive cranial drawer and tibial thrust; treated with TPLO, TTA, or extracapsular repair.

Patellar luxation grading

Grade I: manually luxates but returns spontaneously; Grade II: luxates with manipulation, occasional spontaneous; Grade III: permanently luxated but manually reducible; Grade IV: permanently luxated, non-reducible.

Gastric dilatation-volvulus

Life-threatening condition with gastric distension and rotation; requires decompression (trocarization) and emergency surgery (gastropexy) to prevent recurrence.

Perineal urethrostomy

Surgical creation of a permanent opening in the perineal urethra for male cats with recurrent urethral obstruction; preserves bulbourethral glands to reduce stricture risk.

Triple pelvic osteotomy

Surgical treatment for hip dysplasia in young dogs; involves cutting ilium, ischium, and pubis to rotate acetabulum and improve coverage of femoral head.

Brachycephalic airway syndrome

Anatomical abnormalities in flat-faced breeds: stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, everted laryngeal saccules; corrected surgically to improve breathing.

Anal sacculectomy

Surgical removal of anal sacs for recurrent impaction or infection; careful dissection needed to avoid damage to surrounding nerves and sphincter.

Fracture repair principles

AO principles: anatomical reduction, stable fixation (plates, screws, pins), preservation of blood supply, and early mobilization to promote healing.

Equine colic surgery

Exploratory celiotomy indicated for severe unrelenting pain, distended small intestine, or positive abdominocentesis; allows correction of obstruction or displacement.

Bovine cesarean section

Left flank approach in standing cow; used for dystocia; aftercare includes uterine lavage, antibiotics, and monitoring for metritis.

Equine castration

Open or closed technique; removes testicles; complications include hemorrhage, edema, infection, and evisceration; perform in young animals to reduce risk.

Septic arthritis in foals

Joint infection causing lameness and swelling; treated with joint lavage, systemic antibiotics, and arthroscopy for debridement if unresponsive.

Rumenotomy

Surgical opening of the rumen to remove foreign bodies (hardware disease); performed in standing ruminant with local anesthesia and sedation.

Laryngeal hemiplegia

Paralysis of arytenoid cartilage causing inspiratory noise and exercise intolerance; treated with prosthetic laryngoplasty (tie-back) to abduct the arytenoid.

Bovine digit amputation

Removal of distal phalanx for severe foot rot or fracture; amputation at distal interphalangeal joint; closes with heel incision.

Equine sinusitis

Inflammation of paranasal sinuses; often secondary to dental disease; treated with trephination and lavage; may require tooth extraction.

Halsted's principles

Surgical tenets: gentle tissue handling, meticulous hemostasis, strict asepsis, minimal tension, preservation of blood supply, and accurate apposition.

Suture selection

Absorbable sutures (e.g., polyglactin 910) for internal tissues; non-absorbable (e.g., nylon) for skin; choose based on tissue healing rate and tension.

Wound healing phases

Hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling; epithelialization begins within 24 hours; wound strength increases over weeks.

Antibiotic prophylaxis

Administer within 60 minutes before surgical incision; re-dose every 90 minutes for cefazolin; discontinue within 24 hours postoperatively.

Anesthetic monitoring

Assess heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, SpO2, ETCO2, and temperature; hypotension defined as MAP < 60 mmHg; treat with fluids and vasopressors.

Fluid therapy

Crystalloids (e.g., LRS) at 10-20 mL/kg/h for maintenance; colloids for oncotic support; adjust based on hydration and perfusion parameters.

Surgical asepsis

Sterile gown, gloves, cap, mask; skin preparation with chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine; sterile drapes; minimize traffic in operating room.

Electrocautery

Use for hemostasis and tissue dissection; avoid in patients with pacemakers or in presence of flammable gases; can cause thermal necrosis if prolonged.

Tumor staging

TNM system: assesses tumor size (T), lymph node involvement (N), and metastasis (M); essential for prognosis and treatment planning before surgery.

Surgical margins

Aim for 2-3 cm lateral and one fascial plane deep for malignant tumors; confirm with histopathology; inadequate margins increase recurrence risk.

Mast cell tumor

Common skin tumor in dogs; graded by Patnaik or Kiupel systems; treated with wide excision; adjunctive therapy (toceranib) for high-grade or metastatic.

Osteosarcoma

Aggressive bone tumor in dogs; treated with amputation or limb-sparing surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy (carboplatin) to improve survival.

Hemangiosarcoma

Vascular tumor often in spleen or heart; splenectomy for emergency control of bleeding; chemotherapy (doxorubicin) may prolong survival.

Radiation therapy

Used for local tumor control or palliation; side effects include radiation dermatitis; requires careful planning to spare normal tissues.

Chemotherapy safety

Handle cytotoxic drugs with gloves, gown, and closed-system transfer devices; dispose of waste properly; monitor personnel for exposure.

Sentinel lymph node mapping

Identify first draining lymph node using dyes or radioisotopes; allows targeted excision and accurate staging for metastatic disease.