This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Preoperative measures

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Preoperative treatment in the patient with generalised peritonitis is as important as surgery:

  • correct fluid balance due to lost extracellular fluid:
    • give a rapid IV infusion of Hartmann's solution, 2.5-3.0 litres over 3 hours in a 70kg adult
    • monitor central venous pressure in elderly patients to ensure that infusion is not given too quickly
    • insert a urinary catheter to monitor urinary output
    • give additional colloid if there is evidence of hypovolaemia
  • remove blood for culture, then give parenteral antibacterial treatment, e.g. metronidazole for anaerobes and cephalexin for aerobes
  • give analgesic, preferably IV slowly, after consulting with the anaesthetist
  • give oxygen via a face mask as diaphragmatic movements are likely to be reduced
  • before inducing anaesthesia, pass a 16F nasogastric tube to keep the stomach empty

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.