556-411 Surgery (Dental Course)

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Subject Description

This subject covers: surgical pathology of acute and chronic infection; immunity, control of infection, asepsis and sterilisation; antibiotics and surgical infection; surgical shock, the control of haemorrhage; surgical aspects of fluid and electrolyte balance; wound healing and wound management; principles of respiratory support; methods of pain relief; surgical affections of face, mouth, nose and throat; cleft lip and palate; diagnosis and management of neck swellings; diseases and tumours of bone.

On completion of this subject, students should:

Comprehend: the roles of immunity and antibiotic usage in surgical practice; processes of wound healing and management; pathology, treatment and prevention of cancer; principles of analgesic usage; airways management and respiratory support; diagnosis and treatment of common surgical conditions affecting head and neck.

Have developed: an understanding of basic surgical principles as applied to dental practice; basic clinical skills required to recognise surgical conditions affecting head and neck; basic first aid skills necessary to manage acute surgical conditions of head and neck.

Appreciate: the pathological processes underlying manifestation of surgical conditions; the need to evaluate the whole patient when assessing a localised surgical problem; importance of the application of sound surgical principles in management of traumatic, infective and neoplastic processes affecting head and neck.

Assessment

A 2-hour written examination at the end of Semester 2. An oral examination may be required.

Prescribed Texts

• Dudley H A F and Waxman B eds. 1989, An Aid to Clinical Surgery. 4th ed. Churchill Livingstone.