The After-Treatment of Cases of Abdominal Section

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1894. Excerpt: ... THE AFTER-TREATMENT OF CASES OF ABDOMINAL SECTION. Next to the skilful performance of the operation, the most important factor in securing the patient's recovery is the correct management of the case after the operation, and the prompt and judicious treatment of the various complications that may arise. With the operation itself I am not now concerned; but I propose to indicate the lines on which the after-treatment should be conducted. Other methods there are, but I shall not refer to them, believing as I do that the following is the best. With certain exceptions, the after-treatment of all cases in which the peritoneal cavity has been opened is practically the same. In some cases, especially enterectomies and hysterectomies, there are important deviations from the routine treatment. But these exceptions are few in number, and do not affect the general principles. Most abdominal surgeons insist on the operation being performed, whenever possible, in a special hospital--public or private--where the after-treatment is conducted by the surgeon himself and his own trained nurses. But this is not always feasible; and not infrequently the surgeon is obliged to operate at the patient's own home, situated it may be in the heart of Wales or in some out-of-the-world village in Devonshire. The operation safely over, the surgeon departs; and the after-treatment of the case is left in the hands of the family attendant, who perhaps has never before seen an abdominal section, and who has the vaguest notions of the complications that may arise. To such an one the following notes may be of service. There are several matters which the medical attendant is expected to attend to before the arrival of the surgeon; and as these have an important bearing on the after-progress ...