Surgery 101

In this episode 4th year medical student, Dalia Bibr, from the University of Toronto defines the topic of Obstetrics and Gynecology and its history, introduces us to the topics she will covers in her 8 part O&G series. After listening to this episode, learners should be able to: Discuss a little of the breadth of Obstetrics and Gynecology as a specailty with a focus on Gynecology and explain what to expect in clerkship Discuss the relevance of the topics covered in the next few podcasts and their application to everyday medicine/clerkship Discuss the history of the beginnings and evolution of gynaecology as a specialty

In this episode Pathologist, Dr. Tyler Rouse, talks about special techniques and the future of pathology. Objectives: Special stains IHC – diagnostic and prognostic Molecular pathology

In this episode Pathologist, Dr. Tyler Rouse, guides us through the pathology report, including key information, and tips for helping out the pathologist. Objectives: Review the various components of the path report (clinical history – don’t hold out!) Synoptic reports and the TNM classification system How can I help the pathologist (garbage in, garbage out)

In this episode Pathologist, Dr. Tyler Rouse, takes us through the steps of how how tissue is turned into a slide. The objectives include: Go through the basic steps of how surgical tissue becomes a slide Understand the importance of specimen handling and selection of sections Learn how the sections are processed into slides Pink and blue: the H&E

In this episode Pathologist, Dr. Tyler Rouse, explains 3 ways in which specimens removed during surgery are sent to pathology and the rationale behind each process. The objectives include: Fixed – how most specimens are sent to pathology and why; Fresh – scenarios where a surgeon might send the tissue without fixation; Frozen – covering intra-operative pathology consults – how this works, and some examples.

In this episode Pathologist, Dr. Tyler Rouse, gives an overview of what Pathology is and how is related to surgery and many other specialties. The objectives include: Who are pathologists? What do they do? How are pathologists involved in patient care?

In this episode, Anthony Vo, a 4th year medical student from the University of Alberta discusses two common types of skin cancer; Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC). The objectives for both BCC and SCC include: Overview of each type of skin cancer Review of the characteristics and presentation Discussion of treatment options Prevention and follow-up

In this episode, Kerry Atkins, a 4th year medical student from the University of Alberta discusses one of the simplest and high yield diagnostic tests: the punch biopsy.  The objectives include: An overview of the different skin biopsy techniques and when they are appropriate Indications and contraindications of the procedure Materials required And step by step instructions on how to perform a punch biopsy

In this episode, Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Simon Turner discusses Thoracic Trauma. Thoracic trauma is one of the most intimidating situations in all of surgery. The chest contains the heart, lungs and the great vessels, and injury to any of these can quickly result in death if not rapidly corrected. Add to this the fact that the rib cage prevents direct examination of the structures most at risk and also hampers attempts at control of injuries. Thankfully, most immediately life threatening thoracic injuries can be reliably identified using little more than your eyes, ears and hands, if you know how to do it. The objectives for Thoracic Trauma include the: Assessment Identification of life-threatening injuries Intervention Diagnosis and treatment

In this episode, Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Simon Turner discusses Dysphagia and Achalasia. Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a common presenting complaint to both primary care physicians and surgeons. Patients may mean several different things when they complain of trouble swallowing, and accordingly the differential diagnosis is large and includes both benign and malignant causes. For these reasons its important to have an organized approach to working up a patient with swallowing complaints that can help to efficiently focus investigations and treatment. This podcast will focus on the surgically treated causes of dysphagia and will discuss in depth one of the more common causes, a disease called achalasia. The objectives include the: Surgically treated causes of dysphagia Achalasia

In this episode, Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Simon Turner discusses GERD and Barrett’s Esophagus. Gastro-esophageal reflux disease, or GERD is one of the most common problems encountered by primary care physicians. It is the number 1 outpatient GI related complaint, and of all the patients with chest pain who have a negative work-up for angina, 50% have symptoms due to GERD. In addition to being common, GERD can also be quite serious, with the potential for debilitating symptoms, severe complications and even a risk of cancer. The objectives include the: Presentation Diagnosis Management Complications including Barrett’s Esophagus

In this episode, Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Simon Turner discusses Lung Cancer. Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide and is the number 1 killer of all cancers. Most patients diagnosed with lung cancer will die of their disease within just a few years, however, with more knowledge about its presentation, screening, diagnosis and treatment, lung cancer can often be identified at a curable stage. This podcast will give the listener the basic facts needed to understand this complex disease in the hopes of giving patients the best chance for a good outcome. The objectives include the: Risk Factors Presentation Screening Diagnosis and treatment

 In this episode, Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Simon Turner discusses Mediastinal Masses. Imagine that you’ve ordered a chest x-ray on a patient of yours with shortness of breath. When you look at the x-ray the lungs look normal, but you notice to your surprise that the mediastinum looks quite abnormal. You speak with a radiologist who confirms your suspicions that your patient has a widened mediastinum and a probable mediastinal mass. What is the differential diagnosis of this x-ray finding and what should be done about it? Because mediastinal masses are not infrequently found incidentally on chest x-rays, every physician should have some basic knowledge about these lesions. The objectives include the: Anatomy of the mediastinum Differential diagnosis of mediastinal masses Approach to work-up and treatment of these legions

In this episode, Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Simon Turner discusses Solitary Pulmonary Nodule. This podcast was written in large part by Dr. Keerit Tauh, a graduate of the University of Alberta medical school and currently a cardiac surgery resident at the University of British Columbia.   The objectives include the:   • Definition • Classification and differential diagnosis • Approach to diagnosis and management of these lesions

In this episode, Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Simon Turner discusses Esophageal cancer. In this episode Dr. Turner will describe: The presentations of esophageal cancer Diagnosis and most common types of esophageal cancer The different stages and treatment options

This week resident Danica Kindrachuk talks about Post-Operative Pain. After listening to the podcast learners will be able to: Understand the scope of pain surgical patients experience. Explain the pathophysiology of acute pain. List some benefits of proper post-operative pain control. List the classes of drugs used for acute pain control. List the indications, mechanism of action, and side effects of these drugs. Understand the rationale for the use of non-pharmacologic therapies in pain control.

This week Anesthesia Residents Urooj Siddiqui explains regional anesthetic. After listening to this podcast learner will be able to: Describe the pain pathway Identify differences between regional and general anesthetics Recognize advancements in Regional Block techniques List different types of regional blocks and their indications Identify contraindications and complications of regional blocks

This week Anesthesia Resident Urooj Siddiqui talks about Local Anesthesia. After listening to the podcast learners will be able to: Describe the pharmacology of local anesthetics Look at the different types of local anesthetics Highlight the different techniques used in local anesthesia Outline the toxicities associated with common local anesthetic agents Recognize the indications for and against the use of local anesthetics

This week Anesthesia resident Urooj Siddiqui talks about Neuromuscular Blocking Agents. After listening to the podcast learners will be able to: Understand pharmacology and physiology of muscle relaxants Discuss classes of neuromuscular blocking agents Know the importance of neuromuscular blockade in practice Comprehend monitoring muscle relaxation Grasp indications and contraindications Review complications

This week resident Ameer Farooq talks about General Anesthesia. After listening to the podcast learners will be able to:  Understand why it is important to know about General Anesthesia Outline indications for General Anesthesia Talk about preparation for General Anesthesia Follow the 3 main stages of General Anesthesia Induction, Maintenance, and Emergence Discuss complications of General Anesthesia