Post-operative care of patients following free flap reconstruction

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Certificate

Earn a certificate of completion
Beginner level

Beginner
Duration

Approximately 3 hours to complete
online

100% online
Self-paced

Self-paced
Language

English

About the course:

This course is aimed at any healthcare professional involved in the care of patients undergoing free flap reconstruction. It aims to help candidates to understand the surgical and nursing management of complex limb injury requiring free flap reconstruction based on the latest BOAST guidelines and research.

It includes background information on which patients may require free flap reconstruction, types of flaps used for reconstruction of deep soft tissue injuries, post-operative nursing care and monitoring of free flaps and most frequently encountered complications and troubleshooting following free flap surgery.

The course has been designed as an introduction or an annual refresher on the basic principles of care of patients undergoing free flap reconstruction. This course also provides the essential knowledge required prior completion of Free Flap Nursing Competencies.

This module will review the orthopaedic aspects of complex limb injury assessment and treatment. The aim to aid understanding in the need for a combined orthoplastic approach to traumatic injury reconstruction.

Once you have completed the module you will:

  • Be familiar with traumatic injuries requiring free flap reconstruction
  • Be aware of the assessment and treatment of the bony injury
  • Understand the difference between internal and external bone fixation
  • Be familiar with the protocol for post-operative care of external fixator pin sites

 

This module will cover an introduction to deep soft tissue injuries that cannot be repaired by direct closure, and which will require a more complex reconstruction. It will give an overview of the anatomy and physiology related to free flap reconstruction. The aim is to gain familiarity with reconstructive methods used to cover a wound.

Once you have completed the module you will:

  • Understand the basic anatomy and physiology related to a flaps
  • Be familiar with different flap types
  • Be aware of the key factors required to support free flap survival

 

This module will offer a detailed overview of postoperative care of patients following free flap reconstruction and introduce the free flap monitoring protocol.

Once you have completed the module you will:

  • Be familiar with physical flap examination protocol
  • Understand the assessment of and rationale for free flap colour, texture, capillary refill and Doppler
  • Be aware of the signs of a failing flap and the intervention required
  • Understands the escalation procedure and who to contact when complications arise

 

This module will cover an introduction to soft tissue injuries that cannot be repaired by direct closure, and which require a skin graft to achieve healing. It will give an overview of the anatomy and physiology related to skin graft reconstruction and cover rationale for needing a skin graft donor site. The aim is to gain familiarity with skin graft reconstructive methods used to cover a wound.

Once you have completed the module you will:

  • Understand the basic anatomy and physiology related to skin grafts and donor sites
  • Be familiar with different types of skin graft
  • Be aware of the key factors required to support skin graft “take”
  • Understand the post-operative care of a skin grafts and donor sites

About the author:

Kristina-Stiles

Kristina Stiles

RN, MSc (Burn Care) | Orthoplastic Clinical Nurse Specialist | King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Burns and plastic surgery nurse specialist supporting complex trauma reconstructive pathway at King's College Hospital.

Kristina is a visiting lecturer to higher education institutions, author of national and regional clinical practice guidelines, with articles published in peer reviewed journals.

Kristina is the creator of “The Burns Game”, author of "The Family Oops and Burns First Aid" and co-author of the “Saving Lives is Not Enough” report.

Course design:

Florin Ivan

Florin Ivan

Project Manager, Learning Hub | King's Health Partners
Cost: £0.00
Quantity: 

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