Publication: Ultrasound: An extension of clinical examination
Date
2007
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
Aims and objectives: To study the impact the use of portable ultrasound can have for the benefit of the patients
when used by doctors other than radiologist, in this case surgeons.
Methods: Ultrasound performed by surgeons in the pre-operative, operative and post-operative period was studied.
Patients presenting to the Hospital with acute abdomen was subjected to ultrasound. They were either pre-operative
or post-operative patients. Five patients were scanned intraoperatively. The impact of these scans to the patients as
well as the clinicians was studied.
Results: This is an ongoing study and preliminary results of the scans show two pre-operative diagnosis of acute
appendicular collection and one acute hydronephrosis. In the operation room, ultrasound was done on 5 cases. On
three occasions, it was to locate renal stones so that it could be extracted with ease. On two of the case, it was t to
confirm the adequacy of common bile duct exploration thereby allowing primary closure of the common bile duct.
Post-operatively, it was used in four cases of which in two cases post-operative hemorrhage were detected timely
within hours. In the other two cases, the surgical team was assured that the patient’s complaint was not surgically
related.
Conclusion: Ultrasound should be an extension of the clinical examination when indicated and all clinicians should
be proficient in its use in their respective fields
Keywords: ultrasound, non-radiologist, surgeons, per-operative ultrasound
Description
Singh DR 1 , Joshi MR 1, Dangol UMS 1, Koirala U 1, Pradhan RL2, Shrestha BR 3, Mishra CD 4
1General Surgeon, 2Orthopedic Surgeon, 3Anesthesioiologist, 4Radiologist, Minimal Access Intervention Unit, Sarvanga Hospital, Kathmandu