About:

This six-part lecture series will provide attendees with a thorough revision of the core topics that mainly make up the 'knowledge' component of the MRCS OSCE. Delivered via Zoom, it is specifically designed for candidates appearing for the exam in May 2021. The teaching will be structured and delivered by Professor Stuart Enoch, convenor and chair of faculty of the highly popular and well-established Cardiff MRCS Courses.

Attendees can choose to attend whichever session(s) they feel would be beneficial to their revision.

Session 1:

Tuesday 13^th April 2021
1830 - 2030 hours
Skull Base, Head, Scalp, Face and Neck - Anatomy, Pathology and Surgery

Topics Covered:

• Cranial fossa
• Foramina of the skull
• Course of cranial nerves
• Dural venous sinuses
• Circle of Willis
• Strokes
• Scalp
• Submandibular and parotid glands
• Infratemporal fossa and mandible
• Triangles of the neck and structures
• Larynx and pharynx
• Thyroid and parathyroid

Session 2:

Monday 19^th April 2021
1830 - 2030 hours
Thorax and Upper Limb - Anatomy, Pathology and Surgery including Cancers (Oesophageal) and Nerve Injuries

Topics Covered:

• Thoracic skeleton
• Angle of Louis
• Mediastinum - boundaries and contents
• Lungs - hilum, fissures, lobes, relations
• Heart - parts, coronary circulation, conduction system
• Major vessels and branches
• Oesophagus - structure, blood supply, management of cancers
• Breast - structure, blood supply, lymphatic drainage, management of breast cancers
• Brachial plexus
• Blood supply to the upper limb
• Course of major nerves in the arm
• Antecubitalfossa, carpal tunnel, ASB
• Upperlimb nerve injuries

Session 3:

Thursday 22^nd April 2021
1830 - 2030 hours
Abdomen and Pelvis - Anatomy, Pathology, Surgery including Cancers (Bowel, Carcinoid, Testicular)

Topics Covered:

• Diaphragm
• Anterior abdominal wall
• Inguinal region
• Scrotum, scrotal lumps and testicular cancers
• Blood supply to the abdominal organs
• Major and minor branches of the abdominal aorta
• Small and large bowel
• Greater, lesser sacs; Greater, lesser omentum
• Porta hepatis
• Splenic injuries and management
• Pelvis and perineum
• Cancers of the bowel, colectomies and stomas
• Carcinoid tumour and syndrome
• Adrenal glands
• Pheochromocytoma

Session 4:

Monday 26^th April 2021
1830 - 2030 hours
Lower Limb, Trauma, Compartment Syndrome, Spine, Spinal Cord, LP, CSF - Anatomy, Pathology, Nerve Injuries, Spinal Cord Injuries

Topics Covered:

• Lumbar and lumbosacral plexus
• Femoral triangle
• Course of major nerves in the lower limb
• Greater and lesser sciatic foramina
• Popliteal fossa
• Knee joint and injuries
• Compartments of the lower leg and contents
• Compartment syndrome and its management
• Ankle joint
• Pelvic and lower limb trauma, and management
• Blood supply of the spinal cord
• Spinal cord tracts
• Spinal cord injuries
• Flow of CSF and pathologies

Session 5:

Monday 3^rd May 2021
1830 - 2030 hours
Burns, Electrolytes and Fluid Physiology, Renal Physiology, Inotropes, Wound Healing and Reconstruction

Topics Covered:

• Assessment of large TBSA burns
• Emergency management of burns
• Fluid resuscitation in burns
• Inhalation burns
• Escharotomy
• Transfer criteria for burns
• Electrolytes and fluids
• Renin-angiotensin mechanism
• Functions of the nephron
• Inotropes and mechanism of action
• Wound healing - phases and types
• Reconstructive ladder in plastic surgery
• Grafts and flaps – indications and contraindications

Session 6:

Thursday 6^th May 2021
1830 - 2030 hours
Melanoma, Skin Cancers, Cushing's, Addison's, MEN Syndromes, Thyroid Pathologies, Sutures, LA, Principles of Surgery

Topics Covered:

• Diagnosis and management of malignant melanoma
• Diagnosis and management of common skin cancers
• HPA axis and ACTH
• Investigation of adrenal disorders
• Cushing's disease and Cushing's syndrome
• Addison's disease
• MEN syndromes
• Thyroid pathologies and cancers
• Sutures and suture materials
• Local anaesthesia
• General principles of surgery