About:

This four-part interactive teaching session will provide attendees with a thorough revision of the high-yield topics that are frequently tested in the MRCS A exam. Delivered via Zoom, it is specifically designed for candidates appearing for the exam on Tuesday 13^th September 2022, and it will cover the Applied Basic Sciences and Principles of Surgery components. 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. The four sessions, totalling 16 hours, are calculated to be worth 60-70 hours of individual revision.

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

Session 1:

3^rd September 2022
0830-1230 hours (4 hours)
Anatomy of the Skull Base, Head, Scalp, Face, Neck; Head and Neck Embryology; Salivary Gland, Thyroid and Parathyroid Pathologies; CSF and Hydrocephalus; Head Injury and Neurophysiology; Genetics.

Topics Covered:

• Cranial fossa
• Foramina of the skull
• Courses of cranial nerves
• Cranial nerve lesions
• Dural venous sinuses
• Circle of Willis
• Cerebral and brain stem strokes
• Scalp and its pathologies
• Pterygopalatine fossa and structures
• Infratemporal fossa and mandible
• Submandibular and parotid glands, and their pathologies
• Triangles of the neck and structures
• Larynx and its pathologies
• Pharynx and its pathologies
• Thyroid gland and its pathologies
• Parathyroidgland and its pathologies
• Head and neck embryology, and pharyngeal arches
• CSF and flow of CSF
• Hydrocephalus – types and management
• Head injuries and neurophysiology
• Lymphatic drainage of the head and neck
• Patterns of autosomal and X-Linked inheritance

Session 2:

3^rd September 2022
1400-1800 hours (4 hours)
Anatomy and Pathology of the Thorax, Mediastinum, Heart, Lung, Breast and Upper Limb; Nerve Injuries; Cancers (Oesophageal, Breast, Lung); Microbiology; Cardiorespiratory and General Physiology (including Trauma).

Topics Covered:

• Thoracic skeleton and chest wall
• Thoracic trauma and chest drain insertion
• Angle of Louis
• Mediastinum - boundaries and contents
• Lungs - hilum, fissures, lobes, relations, bronchopulmonary segments
• Heart - parts, coronary circulation, conduction system
• Embryology of the heart
• Congenital heart defects and pathologies
• Major vessels and branches
• Oesophagus - structure, blood supply and physiology
• Dysphagia, GORD and Barrett’s oesophagus
• Management of oesophageal cancers
• Breast - structure, blood supply and lymphatic drainage
• Management of breast lumps and cancers
• Brachial plexus
• Blood supply to the upper limb
• Course of major nerves in the arm
• Antecubital fossa, carpal tunnel, ASB, hand
• Shoulder pathologies
• Upper limb fractures
• Upper limb nerve injuries
• Inotropes and mechanism of action
• Cardiorespiratory physiology
• Microbiology

Session 3:

4^th September 2022
0830-1230 hours (4 hours)
Anatomy of the Abdomen, Inguinal Canal, Pelvis and Perineum; GI Embryology; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Cancers (Bowel, Carcinoid, Testicular, Prostate); Nutrition; Endocrine and Renal Physiology; Pharmacology.

Topics Covered:

• Diaphragm
• Anterior abdominal wall
• Inguinal region
• Scrotum, scrotal lumps and testicular cancers
• Greater, lesser sacs; Greater, lesser omentum
• Embryology of the GI tract
• Blood supply to the abdominal organs
• Stomach, GB, liver, pancreas
• Ligaments of the liver and embryology
• Porta hepatis
• Small and large bowel anatomy and pathologies
• Major and minor branches of the abdominal aorta
• Inflammatory bowel diseases
• Spleen, splenic injuries and management
• Pelvis and perineum
• Urinary bladder, ureters and urethra
• Prostate, BPH and prostate cancer
• Fascia of the perineum
• Lymphatic drainage of the GI tract
• Haemorrhoids
• Cancers of the bowel, colectomies and stomas
• Nutrition – PEG, PEJ, TPN
• HPA axis and ACTH
• Adrenal glands and investigations
• Investigation of adrenal disorders
• Cushing's disease and Cushing's syndrome
• Addison's disease
• MEN syndromes
• Carcinoid tumour and syndrome
• Pheochromocytoma
• Electrolytes and fluids
• Renin-angiotensin mechanism
• Functions of the nephron and counter-current multiplier
• Pharmacology

Session 4:

4^th September 2022
1400-1800 hours (4 hours)
Anatomy of the Hip and Lower Limb, Trauma, Nerve Injuries, Compartment Syndrome; Spine, Spinal Cord, LP, Spinal Cord Injuries; Vascular Surgery; Principles of Surgery; Melanoma and Skin Cancers; Burns; Wound Healing and Reconstruction.

Topics Covered:

• Lumbar and lumbosacral plexus
• Femoral triangle
• Course of major nerves in the lower limb
• Pelvic and lower limb trauma, and management
• Greater and lesser sciatic foramina
• Approaches to the hip joint and nerve injuries
• Fracture neck of femur and management
• Popliteal fossa
• Knee joint and injuries
• Compartments of the lower leg and contents
• Compartment syndrome and its management
• Ankle joint and injuries
• Blood supply of the spinal cord
• Spinal cord tracts
• Spinal cord injuries
• Indications for vascular bypass and stents
• Indications for EVAR and open repair of aneurysms
• Indications for lower limb amputations and levels
• Assessment of large TBSA burns
• Emergency management of burns
• Fluid resuscitation in burns
• Inhalation burns
• Escharotomy
• Transfer criteria for burns
• Diagnosis and management of malignant melanoma
• Diagnosis and management of common skin cancers
• Wound healing - phases and types
• Reconstructive ladder in plastic surgery
• Grafts and flaps – indications and contraindications
• Sutures and suture materials
• Local anaesthesia
• General principles of surgery