BCSE Veterinary Surgical Principles 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following suture materials has the LONGEST retention of tensile strength, making it suitable for closure of body wall in large-breed dogs?
- Poliglecaprone 25 (Monocryl)
- Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl)
- Polydioxanone (PDS) (Correct answer)
- Plain catgut
Correct answer: Polydioxanone (PDS)
Polydioxanone (PDS) retains approximately 70% of its tensile strength at 2 weeks and 50% at 4 weeks, making it ideal for slowly healing tissues such as the linea alba.
Question 2: A dog undergoing orthopedic surgery develops shivering and a rectal temperature of 35.5°C (95.9°F). Which intraoperative measure is MOST effective in preventing further heat loss?
- Administer IV dexamethasone
- Use forced-air warming blankets and warm IV fluids (Correct answer)
- Increase the anesthetic gas concentration
- Place ice packs around the neck
Correct answer: Use forced-air warming blankets and warm IV fluids
Forced-air warming blankets are the most effective active rewarming modality during surgery, and warming IV fluids prevents further core temperature loss.
Question 3: During a cystotomy closure, which suture pattern is recommended for the bladder wall to provide a watertight seal?
- Simple continuous in a single layer through all layers
- Two-layer closure with an inverting pattern such as Cushing or Lembert over a simple continuous (Correct answer)
- Mattress sutures through all layers
- Stapled closure only
Correct answer: Two-layer closure with an inverting pattern such as Cushing or Lembert over a simple continuous
A two-layer closure using a simple continuous first layer followed by an inverting Cushing or Lembert pattern provides a secure, watertight, leak-resistant bladder closure.
Question 4: Which of the following is the most important principle when selecting a surgical approach (incision location) for an abdominal procedure?
- The incision should always be placed at the ventral midline regardless of the target organ
- The incision should provide adequate exposure of the target structure while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissues (Correct answer)
- The longest possible incision should always be used to maximize visibility
- The approach is selected based solely on client cosmetic preferences
Correct answer: The incision should provide adequate exposure of the target structure while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissues
The surgical approach should balance adequate exposure of the target organ with minimal disruption to surrounding structures, nerves, and vasculature.
Question 5: A ferret presents for adrenalectomy. Which vessel must be carefully preserved or managed to avoid serious intraoperative hemorrhage, particularly during right adrenalectomy?
- Portal vein
- Caudal vena cava (Correct answer)
- Mesenteric artery
- Hepatic artery
Correct answer: Caudal vena cava
The right adrenal gland is intimately associated with the caudal vena cava, and inadvertent laceration during right adrenalectomy can cause life-threatening hemorrhage.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the rationale for administering prophylactic antibiotics in veterinary surgery?
- They eliminate the need for sterile technique
- They are given to achieve bactericidal tissue concentrations at the time of incision to reduce surgical site infection risk (Correct answer)
- They should be continued for at least 14 days postoperatively to ensure efficacy
- They are indicated for all surgeries regardless of wound classification
Correct answer: They are given to achieve bactericidal tissue concentrations at the time of incision to reduce surgical site infection risk
Prophylactic antibiotics must be present in tissues at the time of incision; they reduce bacterial contamination during surgery but do not replace sterile technique or extend the postoperative course unnecessarily.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of using retractors during a surgical procedure?
- To apply hemostasis to bleeding vessels
- To maintain exposure by holding tissues away from the operative field without continuous manual effort (Correct answer)
- To cut and dissect through tissue planes
- To measure wound tension before closure
Correct answer: To maintain exposure by holding tissues away from the operative field without continuous manual effort
Retractors hold tissue out of the operative field, providing consistent exposure and freeing the surgeon's and assistant's hands for dissection and other tasks.
BCSE Veterinary Surgical Principles 5
Which of the following suture materials has the LONGEST retention of tensile strength, making it suitable for closure of body wall in large-breed dogs?