Question 1

What does 'nil by mouth' (NBM) mean before surgery?

Accepted Answer

Nil by mouth means published guidance advises not eat or drink anything for a set period before your operation, usually 6 hours for food and 2 hours for clear fluids. This reduces the risk of stomach contents entering your lungs during anaesthesia.

Question 2

What is a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) after surgery?

Accepted Answer

A DVT is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg. Surgery increases your risk because you are less mobile. Signs include swelling, pain, warmth, or redness in one leg. A DVT can be dangerous if the clot travels to the lungs (pulmonary embolism). Compression stockings, blood-thinning injections, and early mobilisation all help prevent DVT.

Question 3

What does 'wound dehiscence' mean?

Accepted Answer

Wound dehiscence is when a surgical wound partially or fully reopens along the incision line. It can happen if the wound is under tension, if there is infection, or if healing is poor. Contact your surgical team if your wound opens; it usually needs medical attention.

Question 4

What is a seroma after surgery?

Accepted Answer

A seroma is a pocket of clear fluid that can collect under the skin near a surgical wound. It feels like a soft, fluid-filled lump. Small seromas often resolve on their own; larger ones may need to be drained by your doctor with a needle and syringe.

Question 5

What does 'mobilise' or 'mobilisation' mean after surgery?

Accepted Answer

Mobilisation means getting up and moving around after surgery — even short walks to the bathroom count. Early mobilisation reduces the risk of blood clots, chest infections, and muscle weakness. Your physiotherapist or nursing team will guide you on when and how much to move.

Question 6

What is patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)?

Accepted Answer

PCA is a system that lets you give yourself small doses of pain relief (usually morphine or fentanyl) through a drip by pressing a button. The machine has safety limits built in so you cannot give yourself too much. PCA is commonly used after major surgery.

Question 7

What is an anticoagulant after surgery?

Accepted Answer

An anticoagulant is a blood-thinning medication given to reduce the risk of blood clots (DVT or pulmonary embolism) after surgery. Common types include heparin injections and tablets such as rivaroxaban or apixaban. Your surgical team will tell you how long to continue them.

Question 8

What are surgical drains and when are they removed?

Accepted Answer

Surgical drains are thin tubes placed near a wound during surgery to collect excess blood or fluid and prevent it building up under the skin. They are usually removed once the drainage slows: often within a few days. Removal is usually quick and only briefly uncomfortable.

Question 9

What does 'general anaesthetic' mean?

Accepted Answer

A general anaesthetic is medication that puts you into a deep, controlled sleep during surgery so you feel no pain and have no awareness of the procedure. An anaesthetist monitors you throughout. You will feel groggy and possibly nauseous when you wake up.

Question 10

What is the difference between absorbable and non-absorbable sutures?

Accepted Answer

Absorbable sutures (dissolvable stitches) break down on their own over days to weeks and do not need to be removed. Non-absorbable sutures must be removed by a nurse or doctor, usually 7–14 days after surgery. Your surgeon chooses the type based on the wound location and depth.

Surgical Glossary

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Surgical Glossary

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