Perioperative Care; Fluid and Electrolyte

Abdominal Collections

Abdominal collections are more likely if there is leak of bowel contents. They may present with nausea, malaise, pain, swinging fever, localised peritonitis or tenderness and altered bowl function and the onset of symptoms is determined by abscess location: pelvic abscesses tend to occur 4-10 days after surgery whilst subphrenic abscesses occur 7-21 days after surgery. Collections are typically investigated by ultrasound, CT or MRI scans and may subsequently require drainage under radiological guidance or possibly surgical intervention. Cannula: Peripheral cannula should be reviewed daily, and removed if there is evidence of redness or pain around the insertion site.