How I prepare for surgery !
The night before I started on my surgery rotation is extremely important in terms of preparation. So not only in my studying for the shelf exams, using your world, I’m also preparing for the next day. So let me tell you some way in which I do that.
The first thing I do is, I look up what the cases are that I’m gonna see for that day. We’re often given the name of the surgeon that we’re gonna work with and we have access to the online medical records board. So suggested for us to look up, the physician just to see the types of cases that they’ll be working on tomorrow.
Once I know the types of cases, I’m going to work on, I start studying up a little bit, and I study a few things in specific. I can give you an example of how I studied for a parotid gland dissection case.
The first thing I look up are the indications for the surgery. This is basically answering the question of Why would somebody get this done. The next is to look up the actual procedure itself just to see an outline of how it’s done, not to get into all the details. The next thing I look up are all the common complications of that surgery. Since this was a lesion in the parotid gland, I also look up what the common lesions are in that area. Usually the last thing I look up is a brief anatomy of the structure, including the nerves, blood supply, and adjacent muscles.
It just so happened that one of the questions at the surgeon asked me was what is the most common tumor in the area that we are dissecting. The only reason I knew this was from my 5 to 10 minutes or the night before and I could answer very confidently that it was a pleomorphic adenoma.
You’re never gonna be 100% prepared for the case, but by looking up some of the things that I do, you might get a question or to write when the surgeon asks you.
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Preparing for a surgical rotation is crucial for success as a medical student. To enhance your readiness, start by reviewing the types of cases you'll encounter and the surgeons you will be working with. This helps in understanding the scope of surgery and directing your study efforts. Key components to focus on include the indications for the surgery, which explain why a patient may need the procedure. Familiarize yourself with the procedure itself to understand the steps without getting lost in the intricate details. It's also important to research common complications associated with the surgery, as this knowledge can be vital in anticipating potential challenges during the operation. Additionally, brush up on the anatomy related to the surgical area. For instance, when studying for a parotid gland dissection, knowing about nearby nerves, blood supply, and muscles is essential. This not only aids in surgical understanding but also prepares you to answer any on-the-spot questions from surgeons. While complete preparation for every scenario isn't possible, investing time in these areas will likely boost your confidence and performance. Engaging with cases in advance will open the door to insightful discussions in the OR, showcasing your dedication and eagerness to learn.