Surgical Mnemonics for Quick Revision

 Lump examination (3S’s, 3C’s, 3T’s, 1F)

Site

Size

Shape

Contour

Colour

Consistency

Tenderness

Tethering

Transillumination

Fluctuance

 

Abdominal causes of clubbing (4 C’s)

Coeliac disease

Cirrhosis

Crohn’s

ulcerative Colitis

 

Causes of abdominal distension (6 F’s)

Fat

Fluid

Flatus

Faeces

Foetus

Fulminant mass

 

Causes of Pancreatitis (GET SMASHED)

Gallstones

Ethanol

Trauma

Steroids

Mumps

Autoimmune diseases e.g. SLE

Scorpion venom

Hypothermia, Hypercalcaemia, Hyperlipidaemia

ERCP, Emboli

Drugs (e.g. thiazide and loop diuretics, azathioprine)

 

Components of Glasgow score for pancreatitis (PANCREAS)

PaO2 (<8kPa)

Age (>55)

Neutrophilia (WCC > 15 x 109/L)

Ca2+ (<2mmol/L)

Renal function (urea >16mmol/L)

Enzymes (LDH >600 iu/L or AST >200 

Gastrointestinal Surgery

Duodenal Ulcer – "DRIP"

* Decreased cancer risk

* Relieved by food

* Increased acid secretion

* Pain hours after food

Gastric Ulcer – "GASP"

* Greater cancer risk

* Aggravated by food

* Slim, older patients

* Postprandial pain

Types of Chronic Gastritis – "ABCD"

* Autoimmune (Type A)

* Bacterial (H. pylori, Type B)

* Carcinoma risk

* Deficiency of B12 & Iron

Meckel’s Diverticulum – "Rule of 2s"

* Occurs in 2% of population

* 2 inches long

* 2 cm wide

* 2 types of ectopic tissue (gastric, pancreatic)

* Found 2 feet from ileocecal valve

Acute Pancreatitis – "I GET SMASHED"

* Idiopathic

* Gallstones

* Ethanol

* Trauma

* Steroids

* Mumps (and other infections)

* Autoimmune disease

* Scorpion sting

* Hypercalcemia/Hypertriglyceridemia

* ERCP

* Drugs (e.g. azathioprine, thiazides)

Hepatobiliary Surgery

Charcot’s Triad (Cholangitis) – "FAR"

* Fever

* Abdominal pain

* Rigor

Reynold’s Pentad (Severe ascending cholangitis):

* Charcot's triad +

* Hypotension

* Altered mental status

Gallstone Risk Factors – "4F"

* Female

* Fat

* Fertile

* Forty

Trauma & Emergency Surgery

Primary Survey in Trauma – "ABCDE"

* Airway

* Breathing

* Circulation

* Disability (Neuro)

* Exposure

Secondary Survey in Trauma – "AMPLE"

* Allergies

* Medications

* Past Medical History

* Last Meal

* Events leading to trauma

Hemorrhagic Shock Class – "1-2-3-4 Rule"

* Class I: <15% blood loss – normal vitals

* Class II: 15–30% – tachycardia

* Class III: 30–40% – hypotension

* Class IV: >40% – life-threatening

Urology & Testicular Pathologies

Complications of Undescended Testis – "A TESTIS"

* Atrophy

* Trauma

* Epididymo-orchitis

* Sterility (B/L)

* Torsion

* Inguinal hernia

* Seminoma

Causes of Hematuria – "HUNTER"

* Hematologic (bleeding disorders)

* Urinary tract infections

* Nephritic syndrome

* Trauma

* Exercise-induced

* Renal stones or tumors

Breast Surgery

Risk Factors for Breast Cancer – "NAACP"

* Nulliparity

* Age at menarche <12

* Age at menopause >55

* Cancer history (family or personal)

* Pregnancy (late age or none)

Features Suggestive of Malignancy – "NHL"

* Nipple retraction

* Hard mass

* Lymphadenopathy (axillary)

Miscellaneous

Whipple’s Disease – "WHIPPLeS"

* Weight loss

* Hyperpigmentation

* Infection (Tropheryma whipplei)

* PAS-positive granules

* Polyarthritis

* Lymphadenopathy

* Steatorrhea

Cranial Nerves (Sensory/Motor) – "Some Say Marry Money..."

* Sensory: I (Olfactory)

* Sensory: II (Optic)

* Motor: III (Oculomotor)

* Motor: IV (Trochlear)

* Both: V (Trigeminal)

* Motor: VI (Abducens)

* Both: VII (Facial)

* Sensory: VIII (Vestibulocochlear)

* Both: IX (Glossopharyngeal)

* Both: X (Vagus)

* Motor: XI (Accessory)

* Motor: XII (Hypoglossal)