Module 5: Surgical Interventions

Module Author

Brian Tessier, PA-C
Adjunct Professor
Department of Physician Assistant Education
Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA
Physician Assistant
Central Avenue Urgent Care, Montclair, CA

By the end of this Review Concept you should be able to:

• List the primary functions of the skin
• Differentiate the structure and composition of the dermal and epidermal layers of the skin
• Outline the phases of wound healing
• List factors that affect the wound healing process
• Describe the role of primary and secondary closure in the wound healing process
• Explain the pathogenesis of wound infection
• List risk factors for wound infection
• List common local and systemic signs and symptoms of wound infection
• Describe common interventions for the management of wound infection

By the end of this Review Concept you should be able to:

• List common physical signs that are used to characterize candidates for surgery
• For common physical signs, identify the associated diagnostic test and appropriate surgical intervention
• Explain the importance of the preoperative patient evaluation and operative risk assessment
• List potential surgical risks commonly identified through the preoperative patient evaluation and operative risk assessment
• Describe standard procedures in the preoperative preparation of the surgical patient
• Differentiate the various types of anesthesia in terms of purpose and principal routes
• Describe guidelines and precautions for the use of lidocaine as a local anesthetic
• List clinician and patient factors that influence the selection of suture material and duration
• Compare/contrast the advantages and limitations of various types of suture material
• List aseptic principles and techniques that are used in the surgical setting
• Describe common postoperative complications and how they can be prevented or managed

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