Prepping for surgery

[JTP73]

or at least the surgical rotation...

Any advice on how to prepare before starting a surgery rotation? And, what to carry in your pockets, what to read, what is best, what not to do, good websites, etc?

[NYladoo]

or at least the surgical rotation...

Any advice on how to prepare before starting a surgery rotation? And, what to carry in your pockets, what to read, what is best, what not to do, good websites, etc?

When you're in the OR the first few times, listen to the attendings, residents, and scrub nurse. The scrub nurse will monitor you to make sure you don't break sterility and will chastise you severely if you do (don't take it personally it happens to everyone the first few times, unless they have prior OR experience). Carry maxwell's pocket guide in your white coat because it contains normal lab values, proper way to write the different notes (i.e. pre-op, post-op) and etc.

[NYladoo]

I just saw that you've already completed OB/GYN so I guess you know proper sterile technique and OR rules.

[UFTim]

or at least the surgical rotation...

Any advice on how to prepare before starting a surgery rotation? And, what to carry in your pockets, what to read, what is best, what not to do, good websites, etc?

Surgical Recall is a great book. Read the first few chapters before you start since it talks about etiquette and history. The book is nice to read imbetween cases and fits nicely in a whitecoat pocket.

[NYladoo]

Blueprints for surgery is a good quick review for the surgical rotation, but don't look to it for detailed explanations.

[got milk?]

Any advice on how to prepare before starting a surgery rotation?


you can start by puckering those lips for some butt kissing,
and getting some Vaseline for you know where...

[rokshana]

i agree with tim about recall.

also there is a great book "relevant Surgical anatomy and techniques"- it describes the most common gen surg operations step by step and the important anatomical landmarks as well as a bit of history about the development of the techniques....surgeons LOVE history!!!! its written by a father and son team of surgical anatomists out of Emory.

as for in the rotation...be there early..if you are supposed to be there at 730 and get there AT 730, then you are 5 mins late...surgeons are VERY punctual, stay late, show up to surgeries (even if it is the 23rd lap chole you have been to...), don't argue with anyone..surgeon, resident, esp the scrub nurse (SHE will make your live either cush or hell in the OR), and make sure you know exactly when your post op pts have passed gas and had a BM:D!

and this was the advice my dad (a surgeon) gave me...go find a book with pix of all the OR instruments (though recall has this) and know which one is which and what their names are...guaranteed to impress your attending if you know the difference between an alice clamp and a ke lly clamp off the bat (he was right)....

her's an oldie but a goodie pimp question-- if george washington had RLQ pain with N/V, and a fever what would have been the 1st diagnosis on the differential??

[shawnm3]

Surgery in WORCESTER is an amazing rotation. You will be with Harvard residents. You need to catch on quick since no one will really hold your hand. I would read up on common general surgery stuff, hernia, gallbladder, colectomy etc and vascular stuff when you are on the vascular service. Read up on the cases you will go into the night before, sometimes you can go to the OR in the evening and see what cases you will do the next day. Be quick with helping with wound care, dressing changes etc on morning rounds. Dont be late and stick around and offer to do stuff on the 24 hr calls until the resident or intern goes to bed also (if they and you do) Basically when you are not in the OR read as much as you can. The residents are very cool once they realize you arent some dumb carib student.
This rotation was by far my toughest, but its def one I look back on fondly. The hospital itself is beautiful too. Have fun.


or at least the surgical rotation...



Any advice on how to prepare before starting a surgery rotation? And, what to carry in your pockets, what to read, what is best, what not to do, good websites, etc?

[stateofequilibrium]

i agree with tim about recall.

also there is a great book "relevant Surgical anatomy and techniques"- it describes the most common gen surg operations step by step and the important anatomical landmarks as well as a bit of history about the development of the techniques....surgeons LOVE history!!!! its written by a father and son team of surgical anatomists out of Emory.

as for in the rotation...be there early..if you are supposed to be there at 730 and get there AT 730, then you are 5 mins late...surgeons are VERY punctual, stay late, show up to surgeries (even if it is the 23rd lap chole you have been to...), don't argue with anyone..surgeon, resident, esp the scrub nurse (SHE will make your live either cush or hell in the OR), and make sure you know exactly when your post op pts have passed gas and had a BM:D!

and this was the advice my dad (a surgeon) gave me...go find a book with pix of all the OR instruments (though recall has this) and know which one is which and what their names are...guaranteed to impress your attending if you know the difference between an alice clamp and a ke lly clamp off the bat (he was right)....

her's an oldie but a goodie pimp question-- if george washington had RLQ pain with N/V, and a fever what would have been the 1st diagnosis on the differential??

Absolutely, get Surgery Recall. And as Rok said, if the surgery starts at like 7:00 am, you need to be in the OR and scrubbed in BEFORE the surgeon gets there. Unless under extenuating circumstances, there is no excuse to scrub in after them.

Always be aware of what's happening around you at all times. Not only to keep yourself sterile, but if the surgeon asks you to do something you have to jump, and figuring out what they want sometimes is dependent on you being aware of what they're doing and not what they're telling you to do.

Also, don't take yelling personally. If you get yelled at, unless the attending is just a horrible person, yelling for them is a lot easier at times than talking gently to you to quickly get you to do something the way they want/need it.

[smu79]

Make sure your retracting muscles are in good shape.:D Also wear a diaper for those 6 hrs surgeries! :shock:

[sinchu77]

Constantly repeat the phrase "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me". Just kidding. Need some tough skin but if you are well read, you will be fine.
Oh, and know the anatomy inside and out for whatever case you are doing.

[cubmd]

or at least the surgical rotation...

Any advice on how to prepare before starting a surgery rotation? And, what to carry in your pockets, what to read, what is best, what not to do, good websites, etc?

......have a lot of patience, because most of the surgeons are bitter and cranky doctors. Some scrub nurses are just waiting for you to do something wrong (even when you are standing in the corner) to make you look ridiculous in from of everyone.

[NYladoo]

Make sure your retracting muscles are in good shape.:D Also wear a diaper for those 6 hrs surgeries! :shock:

Diaper for 6 hr surgeries? Please... Wait until you scrub into CT surgery and are standing on your feet 10 hours or more (the moment you wheel the patient down to the OR until the patient is wheeled into PACU).

[cubmd]

hahahaha......:lolup: