Intern manual
3rd edition

Immediate management of surgical emergencies

Victorian Surgical Consultative Council.

www.health.vic.gov.au/vscc

Contents

Introduction

Immediate action required by intern. While intern is coping with problem, somebody is making sure a more senior staff member is alerted.

Acute airway obstruction

Acute anaphylaxis

Acute external haemorrhage – vascular surgery, penetrating trauma

Air embolism – central line disruption

Aspiration

Cardiac arrest

Compartment syndrome

Metabolic disturbances – 1. hypocalcaemia, 2. hypoglycaemia, 3. hyperglycaemia

Pericardial tamponade

Post-operative neck haemorrhage from thyroid/carotid/neuro/ear nose throat surgery

Pulmonary embolus

Pulmonary oedema

Tension pneumothorax

Recognition of a condition and immediate referral

Acute bowel obstruction

Acute extradural haematoma

Acute gastric distension

Acute limb ischaemia

Acute mental confusion and/or fitting

Acute ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm

Acute spinal compression

Acute ureteric obstruction

Acute subdural haematoma

Globe rupture – including penetrating eye injury and intraocular foreign body

Gynaecological emergencies

Shock

Stridor

Urinary retention

Wound disruption

The Australian Curriculum Framework for Junior Doctors

Glossary of acronyms

Index

 

Published by the Victorian Surgical Consultative Council (VSCC), GPO Box 4923, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3001.

December 2010

© Copyright Victorian Surgical Consultative Council.

This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced without prior written permission from the Victorian Surgical Consultative Council, other than for bona fide personal use or research on a non-commercial basis.

Also published on www.health.vic.gov.au/vscc

Printed by Sovereign Press P/L, 6 Traminer Court, Wendouree 3355

ISBN 0731163052