About

Basic sciences, such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, and microbiology, are the principal components for developing a strong foundation in surgical training and for the understanding of its clinically applied aspects, such as surgical anatomy and surgical pathology, critical care physiology and applied surgical sciences, and principles of surgery. As such, these subjects form an integral part of the MRCS A exam.

This intensive four-day course will provide the attendee with an overview of basic physiological principles, consolidate the attendee's core and applied surgical knowledge in anatomy and relevant pathology, and give a focused revision of pertinent topics as tested in the exam. The emphasis will be on key principles and concepts, with focus and guidance on answering single best answer questions. The course will take into consideration the recent changes to the MRCS A exam, with more emphasis on the clinical application of basic sciences, especially anatomy.

The course is divided into four distinct, but related, days. On Days 1 and 2, the emphasis will primarily be on basic and surgically applied anatomy and related pathology. This will include relevant embryology, surface anatomy and osteology in the head and neck, upper limb, thorax, abdomen, pelvis and lower limb. The autonomic nervous system and pertinent histological findings of all common cancers will also be discussed. Days 3 and 4 will predominately cover basic pathology, system-specific pathology, applied surgical sciences, burns, trauma, microbiology, pharmacology, genetics, statistics, trauma, vascular surgery, breast surgery, endocrine surgery, upper GI and lower GI surgery, and the principles of surgery in general.

It is strongly advised that delegates attend all four days of the course to obtain the full benefit. However, if a delegate is particularly strong in the topics taught on any of the four days, then he/she has the option of attending individual days of the course.

Reviews

Topics covered

Days 1 and 2:

• Brachial Plexus, Arm, Shoulder, Scapula, Back, Axilla and Rotator Cuff (includes Upper Limb Nerve Injuries, Palsies, Shoulder Pathologies, and Approaches to the Shoulder)
• Cubital Fossa, Forearm, Flexor Retinaculum and Hand (includes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Ulnar and Median Nerve Palsies, and Hand Pathologies)
• Fractures in the Upper Limb
• Thoracic Wall; Mediastinum; Heart; Lungs; Oesophagus
• Embryology of the Heart
• Cardiac Pathologies and Congenital Heart Defects
• Dysphagia, Barrett’s Oesophagus and Benign Upper GI Conditions
• Cancers of the Oesophagus and their Management
• Cancers of the Lung and their Management
• Diaphragm, Transpyloric Plane, Anterior Abdominal Wall and Inguinal Region
• Peritoneum, Peritoneal Folds and Embryology of the GI Tract
• Gall Bladder, Pancreas, Liver and Ligaments of the Liver
• Essential Principles and Concepts in Upper GI Surgery
• Spleen, Splenic Injuries and Vaccines
• Hollow and Solid Organs of the Abdomen (includes Bowel Pathologies, Management Principles of Colon Cancers and Segmental Bowel Resections)
• Cancers of the Stomach and their Management
• Pelvis and Perineum
• Fascia of the Perineum and Deep Space Infections
• Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder and Urethra
• Management of Rectal and Anal Cancers
• Inguinal Swellings, Groin Swellings, Hernias and Scrotal Swellings
• Testicular Tumours and their Management
• Lumbar and Lumbosacral Plexus
• Femoral Triangle, Thigh, Popliteal Fossa; Lower Leg, Ankle and Foot (includes Lower Limb Nerve Injuries, Nerve Palsies, Compartment Syndrome and Ankle Injuries)
• Principles of Management of the Fracture Neck of the Femur
• Management of Fractures of the Lower Limb
• Management of Knee Injuries
• Head and Neck Embryology; Pharyngeal Arches
• Embryology of the Cleft Lip and Palate
• Autonomous Nervous System, Splanchnic and Hypogastric Nerves
• Skull Base, Head, Scalp and Face; Surgical Pathologies of the Scalp, Head and Face
• Facial Nerve Palsies, Acoustic Neuroma and Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome
• Salivary Gland Tumours and their Management
• Cancers of the Brain and their Management
• Anatomy of Strokes and Cerebrovascular Accidents
• Neck, Thyroid, Larynx, Pharynx and Tongue
• Neck Lumps and Surgical Pathologies of the Neck
• Cancers of the Larynx, Pharynx and Tongue and their Management
• Management of Common ENT Conditions

• Management of Trauma; ATLS Principles
• Major Haemorrhage Protocol and Massive Blood Transfusion
• Types of Shock and Classes of Hypovolemic Shock
• Management of Pelvic Fractures and Managing Urethral Injuries
• Spine, Spinal Cord, Lumbar Puncture and Epidural Anaesthesia
• Ascending and Descending Tracts of the Spine; Pain Pathways
• Back Pain, Sciatica, Cord Syndromes, Cauda Equina and Conus Medullaris
• Head Injuries, Neurophysiology and Management of Raised ICP
• Basic and General Pathology
• Tumour Markers
• Screening for Colorectal Cancers and Cancer Genetics
• Septic Arthritis, Gout, Pseudogout, Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Principles in the Management of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis)
• Pre-Operative Assessment
• Common Anaesthetic Drugs and Peri-Operative Care
• Post-Operative Complications and Management
• Management of Fluids and Electrolytes in the Peri-Operative Period and in Trauma
• Management of Hypothermia
• Pharmacology of Key Anti-Platelets, Anti-Coagulants and Anti-Cancer Drugs
• Fundamentals of Wound Healing; Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery
• Principles of Local Anaesthetics; Tourniquets; Diathermy
• Essential Principles in Laparoscopic Surgery
• Sutures, Suture Materials and Needles
• Management of Burns and Scalds
• Lumps and Benign Cutaneous Lesions
• Common Hand Conditions (including Dupuytren’s Disease)
• Venous Ulcers, Arterial Ulcers, Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Pressure Ulcers, and their Management
• Vascular Anatomy of the Head, Neck and Thorax (includes Vascular Access and Chest Drain Insertion)
• Vascular Pathologies of the Neck and Thorax
• Peripheral Arterial Disease, Vascular Pathologies, and the Core Principles in Vascular Surgery
• Carotid Artery Disease and Carotid Endarterectomy
• AAA: Screening; Elective vs. Emergency; Open vs. EVAR; TEVAR; FEVAR; REBOA
• Screening for Breast Cancers and Cancer Genetics
• Management of Benign Pathologies of the Breast
• Management of Breast Cancers
• Management of Metastatic Secondaries in the Spine
• Thyroid Disorders, Thyroid Pathologies and Cancers
• Melanoma and its Management
• Management of Common Skin Conditions and Cutaneous Malignancies
• Cushing’s Disease and Cushing’s Syndrome: Screening Tests and Management
• Disorders of the Adrenal Cortex, Adrenal Medulla, Neuroblastoma and Pheochromocytoma
• Carcinoid Tumours and Carcinoid Syndrome
• Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Endocrine and Renal Physiology
• Applied Acid-Base Balance
• Calcium Metabolism and Hyperparathyroidism
• MEN Syndromes
• Essential Topics in Microbiology
• Tuberculosis
• Necrotising Fasciitis
• Statistics and its Surgical Application
• Genetics and Inheritance Patterns