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
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 is the first part 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. Henry Drysdale won the Phillip Douglas Prize for his presentation on malignant colorectal polyps and is our guest for this episode. We cover: - definition - endoscopic features correlated with malignant polyps ...
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 f...
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 ...
From the vault (courtesy of Tara who found it). This episode covers the topic of intestinal failure. It includes: - definition - classification - pathophysiology - prevention - the three phases - intestinal adaptation - management - complications (short and long term) 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 medical advice by the auth...
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...
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 su...
In this episode we go into some of the pathologies that can affect the salivary gland, as well as the different neck infections we need to know about. Topics covered include: Salivary Gland Pathology - Salivary gland calculi (sialolithiasis) - Infections / Inflammation including sialadenitis - Plunging ranulas Cervical Infections - Compartments of the neck - Different infections and neck abscesses As I mentioned in the first episode of this series I can highly recommend the Open Access Atlas of ...
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 ...
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 ...
I know I promised you all a series on urology but I'm taking a break this week and releasing a bonus episode from the vault! This episode covers all the appendiceal pathologies from the 'emergency' module of the curriculum: - acute appendicitis - appendiceal tumours including adenocarcinoma, mucinous adenocarcinoma, mucinous neoplasms, goblet cell adenocarcinoma, and neuroendocrine tumours. - and we also touch on pseudomyxoma peritonei I hope you enjoy this episode! Disclaimer The...
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 ...
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 is number 3 in our series of pathophysiology quiz episodes. We cover pathophysiology topics from the following modules: - sepsis and critical care - nutrition - skin and soft tissue - trauma - vascular, and - abdominal compartment syndrome 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 medical advice by the author or publisher ...
This episode is number 2 in our series of pathophysiology quiz episodes. We cover pathophysiology topics from the following modules: - Upper GI - Breast - Colorectal - Emergency - Head and Neck 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 medical advice by the author or publisher or any other person. The listener should conduct and rely u...
After the success of our Genetic Syndrome's Quiz episode, we bring you the first in a series of Pathophysiology quiz episodes! This episode is in a question and answer format - where I ask a question and give you time to think of the answer before giving it to you. We cover a variety of pathophysiology questions from the endocrine, small bowel, bariatric and hepatobiliary modules from the general surgery curriculum. Disclaimer The information in this podcast is intended as a revision aid fo...
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.
Hi everyone! We're trying something different this week with a new format for the podcast. This episode covers a range of genetic syndromes that we need to know for the exam. The format is a 'call and respond' or 'question-answer' type format where I ask a question and give you a chance to see if you know the answer before telling you myself! You might find this useful in the few months leading up to the exam to practice recalling answers, and to identify what you'v...
Spoiler alert - We Passed! In this week's episode we reflect on the exam and the whole process of preparation for and actually sitting the exam. We are joined by Ben Finlay (circa the trauma podcasts) to share his experience as well! We discuss: - exam preparation - study group - tutorials and other resources - the written exam - the viva exam - practicalities from travelling for the exam and how we structured our leave, to timing for the written questions - the exam ceremony and life post ...
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...
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 recommendatio...
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 con...
This week's episode completes the upper limb component of our series on limb anatomy. Limb anatomy 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. Good Luck to everyone sitting their clinical VIVA exams this week! Disclaimer The information in this podcast is intended as a revision aid for the purposes of the General Surgery Fello...
