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“In Examining Disease, We Gain Wisdom About Anatomy And Physiology And Biology. In Examining The Person With Disease, We Gain Wisdom About Life.”
Section Overview
In this section, you will learn about different complex medical procedures and skills that many medical professionals perform. Throughout this section, you will gain a general understanding of complex medical procedures with the use of an educational app called “Touch Surgery” which will give students a guided simulation on how to perform surgical procedures from different medical specialties. "Touch Surgery" is a mobile interactive surgical simulation app that provides a detailed guide to every step of a surgical procedure. Users can study all steps of a surgical procedure, immediately test their knowledge, and prepare for surgery. Before continuing with this section please download the app on your Android or IOS device. Below you will find a button that will direct you to the app download methods.
Medical Procedure 1: Endotracheal Intubation (Not on app)
Endotracheal intubation is the process of inserting a tube through the patient’s mouth and into their airway. This is done for patients who need to be placed on a ventilator during anesthesia, sedation, or severe illness.
Here are some of the general guidelines you should follow when intubating a patient in a controlled setting:
Before intubation, the patient is usually sedated or not conscious, allowing their mouth and airway to relax. They often lie on their back, while the healthcare professional stands near the top of the bed, facing the patient’s feet.
The patient’s mouth is gently opened. Using an instrument to flatten the tongue and illuminate the throat, the tube is steered into the throat and advanced into the airway.
A small balloon around the tube is inflated to keep the tube in place and prevent air from escaping. Once this balloon is inflated, the tube must be tied or taped in place at the mouth.
Successful placement is checked by listening to the lungs with a stethoscope and can be further verified through a chest X-ray.
The tube is much easier to remove than to place. First, remove the ties or tape that hold it in place. Then, deflate the balloon so that the tube can be carefully pulled out.
Below is an in depth visual description
Medical Procedure 2: Thoracostomy (Chest Tube)
Chest tube thoracostomy involves placing a hollow plastic tube between the ribs and into the chest to drain fluid or air from around the lungs. The tube is often hooked up to a suction machine to help with drainage. The tube remains in the chest until all or most of the air or fluid has drained out.
Common reasons why a chest tube is needed include:
Collapsed lung (pneumothorax): This occurs when air has built up in the area around the lungs (the pleural space) from a leak in the lung. This leak may be the result of lung disease. It can also occur as a complication of certain medical procedures
Infection: An infection can sometimes cause fluid to build up around the lung and may be necessary to insert a chest tube to remove the fluid. Getting the fluid out can at times help clear the infection faster.
Comfort: A large buildup of fluid or air in the chest can make it difficult to breathe. Removing some of the fluid or air may decrease discomfort and make it easier for the person to breathe. ■ Chest Surgery—Sometimes a chest tube is left in place after surgery. The surgeon can usually tell you if it will be needed and how long it may need to stay in.
App Directions:
Once you download the app and sign in, you will click the library tab. This will direct you to an alphabetical order list of medical procedures, as well as a search bar. In the search bar you will write " Chest Tube Insertion" After that you will click on the procedure and click begin learning. Once you click begin learning you will get an in depth step by step lesson on how to effectively perform a Thoracostomy (Chest Tube Insertion).
Medical Procedure 3: Cricothyrotomy
A Cricothyrotomy is an important emergency procedure that is used to obtain an airway when other routine methods are ineffective or contraindicated. It requires an incision to be made through the skin and cricothyroid membrane to establish an airway during certain life-threatening situations, such as airway obstruction.
App Directions:
Once you download the app and sign in, you will click the library tab. This will direct you to an alphabetical order list of medical procedures, as well as a search bar. In the search bar you will write "Cricothyrotomy" After that you will click on the procedure and click begin learning. Once you click begin learning you will get an in depth step by step lesson on how to effectively perform a "Cricothyrotomy."
Medical Procedure 4: Open Appendectomy
An appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix. It's a common emergency surgery that's performed to treat appendicitis, an inflammatory condition of the appendix. The appendix is a small, tube-shaped pouch attached to your large intestine. It's located in the lower right side of your abdomen.
App Directions:
Once you download the app and sign in, you will click the library tab. This will direct you to an alphabetical order list of medical procedures, as well as a search bar. In the search bar you will write " Open Appendicectomy" After that you will click on the procedure and click begin learning. Once you click begin learning you will get an in depth step by step lesson on how to effectively perform an "Open Appendicectomy."
Medical Procedure 5: Acute Trauma Craniotomy
"A trauma craniotomy (TC) is an essential tool in the neurosurgeon’s armamentarium. Used in a variety of settings, an emergent decompression is used to evacuate a mass lesion or treat globally increased intracranial pressure secondary to cerebral edema. TC is used in life-threatening situations to prevent downward herniation of the brainstem through the foramen magnum. The three most common indications for TC include: 1) severe TBI, 2) malignant edema following acute large vessel infarct, and 3) aneurysmal SAH..."(El Ahmadieh TY, Adel JG, El Tecle NE, et al. Surgical treatment of elevated intracranial pressure: decompressive craniectomy and intracranial pressure monitoring. Neurosurg Clin N Am. 2013;24(3):375-391.)
App Directions:
Once you download the app and sign in, you will click the library tab. This will direct you to an alphabetical order list of medical procedures, as well as a search bar. In the search bar you will write " Acute Trauma Craniotomy" After that you will click on the procedure and click begin learning. Once you click begin learning you will get an in depth step by step lesson on how to effectively perform an "Acute Trauma Craniotomy."
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