General Surgery

Definition:

Surgery is a procedure that involves making an incision in tissues or mucous membranes to diagnose or treat a medical condition.

Types of Surgery:

Surgical procedures are classified based on severity, purpose, affected organ or system, and surgical techniques as follows:

1. Elective Surgery:
• Performed for non-life-threatening conditions and scheduled at the patient’s convenience based on surgeon and facility availability.
2. Emergency Surgery:
• Conducted to save the patient’s life, preserve a limb, or restore organ function.
3. Exploratory (Diagnostic) Surgery:
• Performed to confirm or support a diagnosis.
4. Curative Surgery:
• Aims to treat pre-diagnosed conditions.
5. Amputation:
• Surgical removal of a limb or digit.
6. Replantation:
• Reattaching a severed body part.
7. Reconstructive Surgery:
• Aims to restore the structure of deformed or injured organs.
8. Cosmetic Surgery:
• Performed to enhance the appearance of healthy tissues.
9. Transplant Surgery:
• Removing an organ or tissue and replacing it with a donor organ, either from a living or deceased donor.
• Harvesting organs from a living donor for transplantation is also considered a surgical procedure.
10. Organ-Specific Surgery:

• Surgery is often named after the organ or system involved, such as:
• Cardiac surgery (performed on the heart)
• Gastrointestinal surgery (on the digestive system and related glands)
• Orthopedic surgery (on bones and muscles)

11. Laparoscopic Surgery:

• Minimally invasive surgery involving small external incisions to insert a tiny camera and instruments into the body (e.g., catheter procedures).
• Open surgery, in contrast, requires larger incisions for direct access to the affected area.

12. Laser Surgery:

• Uses laser beams instead of traditional surgical instruments for cutting tissues.

13. Microsurgery:

• Utilizes high-powered microscopes to operate on very small structures.

Before surgery, the nursing team must ensure the following:

1. Preparing the Patient's Medical File:

• Obtain signed patient consent forms.
• Complete blood count (CBC).
• Blood chemistry tests.
• Urinalysis.
• Imaging studies (X-rays, CT scans, etc.).
• Pulmonary function tests.
• Chest X-ray.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG).

2. Preparing the Patient:

• Psychological support to reduce anxiety and stress.

Postoperative Nursing Care (From the Operating Room to Recovery):

• Ensure the surgical dressing is intact and free from bleeding or leakage.
• Confirm chest tube placement and proper connection to the drainage container.
• Position the drainage container below chest level for proper fluid drainage.
• Ensure the patient is safely transferred to the ICU or recovery ward without obstructions.
• Collaborate with the anesthesiologist and anesthesia technician to ensure patient safety.
• Handover a complete patient report from the operating room nursing team to the next care unit.

Pain Management After Surgery:

• Reassure the patient.
• Assess the location, nature, and intensity of pain and administer prescribed pain relief medication if necessary.
• Position the patient in a semi-sitting position to facilitate breathing and reduce pain.
• Monitor the surgical site for signs of infection, such as:
• Redness
• Increased warmth
• Swelling
• Delayed wound healing
• Presence of discharge