General Surgery — Flashcards

Flashcard 131: Beta-blockers are known to exacerbate which skin condition?

Answer: • Plaque psoriasis

Flashcard 132: What distinguishes vestibular neuronitis from labyrinthitis?

Answer: Hearing is preserved (normal) in vestibular neuronitis, whereas hearing loss occurs in labyrinthitis.

Extra: Both conditions present with acute vertigo and nystagmus (often preceded by a viral infection). The presence or absence of auditory symptoms is the key clinical differentiator.

Flashcard 133: When prescribing fluids, what is the potassium requirment per day?

Answer: 1mmol/kg/day

Flashcard 134: When is Tamoxifen used in Breast Cancer management?

Answer: • ER/PR +ve premenopausal women (First-line) • ER/PR +ve postmenopausal women (Alternative to Aromatase Inhibitors) • Chemoprevention in high-risk women • Male breast cancer (DOC)

Extra: Tamoxifen is a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM). While primarily the drug of choice for hormone receptor-positive premenopausal women, it can be used in postmenopausal women if Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs) are contraindicated or not tolerated. It also significantly reduces the risk of recurrence and is used for primary prevention in high-risk individuals. Unlike AIs, Tamoxifen is also the standard for treating male breast cancer.

Flashcard 135: What is the management of fibroadenomas if >3cm?

Answer: Surgical excision

Extra: Fibroadenomas >3-4 cm, those increasing in size, or those with suspicious features on imaging/biopsy (complex fibroadenomas) are usually managed with surgical excision. Smaller, asymptomatic, biopsy-proven fibroadenomas can often be managed conservatively with serial ultrasound monitoring.

Flashcard 136: What drugs can cause malignant hyperthermia?

Answer: • Suxamethonium • Halothane

Flashcard 137: What do Auricular haematomas warrant?

Answer: Same-day ENT assessment and prompt incision & drainage (I&D) to prevent 'cauliflower ear' deformity.

Flashcard 138: In the management of breast cancer, the FEC-D regimen is used to:

Answer: • Downstage a primary tumor before surgery (neoadjuvant treatment) • Treat systemic microscopic disease if axillary nodes are positive after surgery (adjuvant treatment)

Extra: FEC-D is a chemotherapy regimen commonly used for Breast Cancer. FEC = Fluorouracil, Epirubicin, Cyclophosphamide. D = Docetaxel.

Flashcard 139: How is mastoiditis typically diagnosed and treated?

Answer: Diagnosed clinically; treated with IV antibiotics

Flashcard 140: What should be done with ACE inhibitors and ARBs prior to surgery?

Answer: Discontinue 24 hours before due to risk of hypotension with anaesthesia