A podcast about preparing for the General Surgery Fellowship Exam. Each year, Australian and New Zealand surgical trainees sit this exam in order to gain a 'fellowship' in General Surgery. This podcast follows one trainee doctor on her journey towards FRACS (Fellowship Royal Australian College of Surgeons). The series correspond to the different modules from the surgical curriculum. Series 1-Breast Surgery, 2-Exam Specific Episodes; 3-Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery; 4-Colorectal Surgery; 5-Hepatobiliary Surgery; 6-Endocrine Surgery; 7-Trauma; 8-Skin and Soft Tissue; 9-Vascular; 10-Anatomy (Limb); 11-Surgical Oncology; 12-Critically Ill Surgical Patient
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This episode is the second of a series that has been produced in collaboration with the Australian and New Zealand Training Board in Colon and Rectal Surgery (ANZTBCRS). It has come out of work prepared for the Colorectal Fellow's Training Weekend held in Adelaide in August 2023. Tamara Vu presents a really comprehensive summary of Small Bowel Tumours - a mammoth topic covering: - the main types - imaging features - workup - staging - management - prognosis Disclaimer The information in this pod...
In this episode, James McKay discusses key aspects of chest trauma, including rib fractures, pneumothoraces, hemothoraces, diaphragmatic injuries, and blunt cardiac injuries. The episode covers management strategies, surgical interventions like resuscitative thoracotomy, and diagnostic approaches. It emphasizes the importance of early recognition, appropriate intervention, and individualized patient care in chest trauma cases.
Dr. Chris Wakeman discusses familial cancer syndromes, including FAP, Lynch Syndrome, oligopolyposis, and serrated polyposis. He covers diagnosis, genetics, surveillance, and management strategies, including surgical options and the role of aspirin in Lynch Syndrome. Wakeman also addresses short gut syndrome management and offers advice for surgical trainees preparing for fellowship exams.
This episode discusses malignant colorectal polyps with guest Henry Drysdale. It covers the definition, endoscopic features, and various endoscopic and surgical management options. Key topics include the Paris, Kudo, Haggart, and Kikuchi classifications, histopathological risk factors, and the use of risk calculators in clinical decision-making. The discussion emphasizes estimating the risk of residual local or nodal disease to guide definitive management and surveillance.
For this guest episode we are joined by Dr Simon Richards, as colorectal surgeon from Christchurch New Zealand. This episode is a masterclass in Total Neoadjuvant Therapy (TNT) for Rectal Cancer. We cover: - the traditional paradigm of rectal cancer management and how it's progressed to where we are now - what is TNT - what is 'watch and wait' and 'organ preservation' - the main three trials you need to know! - some cases and why you might consider different approaches for different patients AND...
On this guest episode we are joined by Dr Carla Gillespie, an UGI, bariatric and general surgeon from Sydney to cover the topic of bariatric surgery. We cover: - pathophysiology - types of operations - considerations when deciding what operation - complications - immediate and late - how to remove a lap band - and some general exam and career advice! Disclaimer The information in this podcast is intended as a revision aid for the purposes of the General Surgery Fellowship Exam. This information ...
Explore intestinal failure for general surgery exam prep. The episode defines the condition and details functional and pathophysiological classifications, including causes like short bowel, fistula, and dysmotility. It outlines the three phases of management – acute, adaptation, and chronic – discussing nutritional support, medications, surgical options, and long-term considerations like TPN complications and transplantation.
In this week's 'Christmas Special' episode I am joined by Ashwini Pondicherry and Jamie Crichton to reflect on our first year of fellowship. We discuss some of the good things about this transition, but also some of the more difficult and formative aspects and how we negotiated them. The step from registrar to fellow/consultant is a HUGE one and we hope that by talking about some of these topics it will make it slightly easier for you. We also discuss the application processes for ANZHPBA, Breas...
Our first episode back (in a while - sorry!) is an incredible guest episode that is worth the wait. We talk through a series of breast cancer cases with Ashwini Pondicherry, the current breast fellow at Christchurch hospital, to cover a wide range of topics in breast cancer. This includes some updates from the original breast cancer episodes (which were published over 2 years ago now). This episode not only covers content, but is presented in long viva style taking you through a number of cases ...
This guest episode covers the essentials you need to know when talking about operative surgery in inflammatory bowel disease. We are joined by colorectal and general surgeon Mr Michael Johnston who has significant experience in looking after these patients. We talk about: - ileocolic resections - what to do with crohn's fistulas to the sigmoid - stricturoplasty techniques - how to handle the crohn's mesentery - what join to do and why - when to operate on acute colitis - how to do a subtotal col...
This episode delves into salivary gland pathology, including sialadenitis (inflammation) and sialolithiasis (stones), discussing their causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and management, including medical and surgical interventions. It also covers cervical infections, detailing the fascial compartments of the neck and the different types of neck abscesses, with a focus on deep neck space infections like Ludwig's angina and their critical management.
On this guest episode, we talk to Anthony Payne, a financial and tax consultant with DPM Financial about some of the financial changes we will face transitioning from being a registrar to fellowship and consultancy. Some of the topics we cover include: - Transitioning from employee to sole trader, and the implications on this for Tax, Super, Insurances and Leave. - What an ABN is and why you need it - GST as a sole trader and what you need to know - The typical financial set-ups of private pract...
In this first episode from the Head and Neck module of our curriculum we touch on salivary gland pathology. Including: - Salivary gland anatomy - including the parotid and submandibular glands. As part of this we cover the important anatomical relations and the parasympathetic supply (highly examinable!) - Common tumours of the salivary glands and how to treat them - Some operative tips and how to describe how you would perform a superficial parotidectomy and submandibular gland extirpation - Co...
This week we are joined by the incredible urologist Dr Anita Clarke to talk about all things urology! We cover: - the benefits of multidisciplinary surgical approach - putting in a ureteric stent - the diagnosis and management of bladder cancer (for general surgeons) - management of intra-operative ureteric injuries - the difficult urinary catheter and inserting a suprapubic catheter As well as other life advice, insight into the life of a surgeon, and exam advice (from a previous chief examiner...
Welcome to this guest episode with A/Prof Phil Carson. A/Prof Carson is a general surgeon from Darwin and the most recent ex-censor in chief of RACS. We are lucky enough to have him for this special episode to cover a range of topics filled with pearls and insights from his varied and interesting career. We cover: - some background into his life as a rural generalist in Darwin. - what to do to prepare for practice if you are considering a career as a rural general surgeon. - we gain some insight...
We are lucky enough this week to be joined by the incredible Kellee Slater - HPB and hernia surgeon from Queensland. In addition to being an incredible surgeon, researcher, published author and presenter, A/Prof Slater has been extremely generous and joined us to cover topics from the hepatobiliary and transplant modules. I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it. Once again I'm overwhelmed by the time surgeons spend working with us to help us prepare for exams...
I'm back! After a nice break holidaying around Italy I bring you an introduction to the transplant module! Hopefully this covers enough background to get started with the module including transplant immunobiology, immunosuppressive medications, criteria for organ donation and complications of immunosuppression. Disclaimer The information in this podcast is intended as a revision aid for the purposes of the General Surgery Fellowship Exam. This information is not to be considered to include any r...
Delve into a detailed discussion on the appendix, starting with its anatomy and the pathophysiology of acute appendicitis, including diagnostic tools like the Alvarado score and treatment options from antibiotics to surgery. The episode then explores diverse appendiceal tumors, classifying them into mucinous and non-mucinous types, detailing their staging and management, and concluding with an in-depth look at pseudomyxoma peritonei.
This episode continues our foray into the urology topics we need to know for our general surgical exams. We cover: - testicular tumours including the presentation, subtypes, workup, radical inguinal orchidectomy and management - Varicoceles - Hydroceles (including some operative points on Jaboulay and Lord's procedures) - and epididymal cysts Disclaimer The information in this podcast is intended as a revision aid for the purposes of the General Surgery Fellowship Exam. This information is not t...
From the abdominal wall, retroperitoneum and urogenital module from the curriculum I bring you the first in a series of podcasts covering urology! We have to know quite a few urology topics for our exam, but where better to start than by covering anatomy and embryology. In this episode we cover the clinically relevant anatomy of: - the kidneys - ureter - bladder - testes - vas deferens - seminal vesicles And some embryology of the kidneys and testes. Disclaimer The information in this podcast is...
This episode serves as a pathophysiology quiz for the General Surgery Fellowship exam, covering a wide array of topics. It delves into critical care issues like sepsis, ARDS, and MODS, alongside nutritional challenges such as refeeding syndrome and the metabolic response to trauma. The discussion also spans skin and soft tissue pathologies, various trauma-related injuries, vascular conditions, and abdominal compartment syndrome.
This episode of First Incision continues the pathophysiology quiz series, designed as a revision aid for the General Surgery Fellowship Exam. It delves into the underlying mechanisms of various conditions across several modules, including gastroesophageal reflux, Barrett's esophagus, H. pylori, different types of breast pathologies, colorectal cancers, and emergency conditions like appendicitis and testicular torsion. The discussion also covers head and neck conditions, providing a comprehensive review of complex surgical pathologies.
First Incision presents a Q&A style quiz episode focusing on complex pathophysiology for the General Surgery Fellowship Exam. It delves into the mechanisms of diseases across various surgical disciplines including thyroid disorders, calcium and adrenal gland physiology, small bowel obstructions, mesenteric ischemia, and malabsorption syndromes. The episode also covers obesity, bariatric surgery, chronic liver conditions, and pancreatic and splenic disorders, serving as a comprehensive revision aid for surgical trainees.
This episode defines critical conditions in surgical patients, including SIRS, sepsis, MODS, and shock. It explores the pathophysiology of each condition, covering diagnostic criteria and key factors. The episode concludes with a discussion of medications used in the ICU to manage these critically ill patients.
This podcast introduces a new interactive question-and-answer format designed to help surgical trainees recall and identify knowledge gaps on genetic syndromes for their fellowship exam. It systematically covers multiple key syndromes like MEN, NF, BRCA, Lynch, FAP, and Li-Fraumeni, detailing their associated genes, inheritance patterns, and the range of benign and malignant conditions. This episode serves as a focused revision aid for high-yield exam topics.
Join Amanda Nikolic and Ben Finlay as they recount their successful general surgery fellowship exam experience. They delve into their two-year preparation, covering effective study phases, the power of study groups and tutorials, and essential resources like UpToDate and specific anatomy atlases. The discussion also provides practical advice on managing leave, navigating the written and clinical viva exams, and maintaining mental well-being through the intense process. Ultimately, they reflect on the immense relief of passing and the transition to post-exam life.
This episode of First Incision focuses on retroperitoneal sarcomas, a rare type of soft tissue sarcoma. Amanda Nikolic covers the presentation, subtypes, workup, and management of these tumors. The episode also features a discussion with Dr. Julie Howle, a medical oncologist, who provides insights on biopsy considerations, surgical planning, and treatment options, including the role of radiotherapy and systemic therapies.
This week's episode covers everything we need to know about soft tissue sarcomas. There are so many sarcomas it can feel a bit overwhelming, so this episode breaks it down into what we need to know as general surgeons, and for the exam. It features some of my discussions on this topic with the incredible Dr Julie Howle - a surgical oncologist from Westmead Hospital in Sydney. In particular we cover: - soft tissue sarcoma subtypes, presentation, workup, and management - when to investigate a lipo...
This week's episode finishes our series on limb anatomy! This is an area of anatomy which is not as frequently encountered by general surgeons so is a great topic to revise before the exam. These episodes covered the anatomy and also the clinically and surgically relevant anatomy for each area. Disclaimer The information in this podcast is intended as a revision aid for the purposes of the General Surgery Fellowship Exam. This information is not to be considered to include any recommendations or...
This week's episode continues our series on limb anatomy. This is an area of anatomy which is not as frequently encountered by general surgeons so is a great topic to revise before the exam. These episodes aim to cover the anatomy and also the clinically and surgically relevant anatomy for each area. Also happy birthday to me! :) Disclaimer The information in this podcast is intended as a revision aid for the purposes of the General Surgery Fellowship Exam. This information is not to be consider...
