Is it a primer, a refresher, or just common knowledge? Well, I think about my abdominal explores with new brain cells each time I do one. I learn (sometimes through the school of hard knocks) each time I do one. So, I sketched up what I have currently evolved into with my explores, for your perusal below. I also included an example of a data collection form (at the end) that you can use to document your findings (and prompt your thinking pre and intra-op!) Always go into your explores with an educated guess on what you will find and an initial plan of action. You’ll get surprised sometimes, but most of the time that simple preop exercise will get your brain in “now what do I do” mode faster. If you were reading these blogs back when I did the book review of the Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande MD, you will know my love of checklists!
LARA MARIE RASMUSSEN, DVM, MS
DIPLOMATE, AMERICAN COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS