Local Anaesthesia and Surgery

Abstract

This subject introduces students to surgery and the clinical use of local anaesthetic agents and other relevant medicines. The ethical and medico-legal implications of surgery will underpin students' study, with a strong emphasis on client selection, surgical assessment and post-operative care. This subject will also address general surgical principles, reinforcing and expanding the students' understanding and practice of infection control and clinical protocols. Students will study local anaesthetics in detail to ensure a comprehensive knowledge of these agents, as preparation for the practice of cutaneous surgery. Successful completion of this subject enables students to safely administer local anaesthetic drugs in topical and injectable forms. Students will develop foundational knowledge for the practice of cutaneous surgery, with a specific focus on nail surgery, electro-surgery and dry needling techniques. The theory of surgery will also encompass podiatric surgery techniques for the correction of foot deformity and the use of surgery as prophylaxis e.g. in the diabetic foot.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics: Module 1 – Local anaesthesia: local anaesthetic pharmacology; agents used in acute hypersensitivity. Module 2 – Pre, peri and post-operative assessment: ethics and medico-legal implications of surgery; post-operative complications; therapeutic guidelines for the management of infection in surgery; anxiolytic drugs used in surgery. … For more content click the Read More button below.

This subject will cover the following topics:

Module 1 – Local anaesthesia: local anaesthetic pharmacology; agents used in acute hypersensitivity.

Module 2 – Pre, peri and post-operative assessment: ethics and medico-legal implications of surgery; post-operative complications; therapeutic guidelines for the management of infection in surgery; anxiolytic drugs used in surgery.

Module 3 – Podiatric surgery: nerve blocks; nail surgery; cutaneous procedures – electrosurgery; curettage; podiatric surgery techniques for the alleviation of pain.

Assessment items

1. Local anaesthesia and surgery competence

2. Local anaesthesia test

3. Topic quizzes

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

explain the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of a range of amide local anaesthetic agents;

justify and administer topical and injectable local anaesthetics for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in podiatric practice;

evaluate the potential adverse effects, indications and contraindications for the use of local anaesthetic agents;

analyse the medico-legal and ethical issues associated with surgery;

evaluate pre-, peri- and post-operative management strategies;

demonstrate competence in infection control, universal precautions and clinical protocols relevant to surgery; and

demonstrate competence in nail surgery procedures, and knowledge of podiatric surgery techniques for the alleviation of pain.

Enrolment restrictions

Restricted to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine; Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine (Honours).

Pre-requisite

Incompatible

Work integrated learning

Duration 8 hours Details Participation in local anaesthesia tutorials and practical sessions (1 day is 8 hours). Participation in an anatomy workshop for in vitro nail surgery (1 hour).

Handbook