First Incision

This episode is the second of a series that has been produced in collaboration with the Australian and New Zealand Training Board in Colon and Rectal Surgery (ANZTBCRS). It has come out of work prepared for the Colorectal Fellow's Training Weekend held in Adelaide in August 2023.

Tamara Vu presents a really comprehensive summary of Small Bowel Tumours - a mammoth topic covering:
- the main types
- imaging features
- workup
- staging
- management
- prognosis

Disclaimer
The information in this podcast is intended as a revision aid for the purposes of the General Surgery Fellowship Exam and as educational material for doctors.
This information is not to be considered to include any recommendations or medical advice by the author, ANZTBCRS, publisher or any other person. The listener should conduct and rely upon their own independent analysis of the information in this podcast.
The author and ANZTBCRS provides no guarantees or assurances in relation to any connection between the content of this podcast and the general surgical fellowship exam or other examinations.  No responsibility or liability is accepted by the author or ANZTBCRS in relation to the performance of any person in examination.  This podcast is not a substitute for candidates undertaking their own preparations for the exam or other clinical roles.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, no responsibility or liability is accepted by the author, publisher or any other person as to the adequacy, accuracy, correctness, completeness or reasonableness of this information, including any statements or information provided by third parties and reproduced or referred to in this document. 
To the maximum extent permitted by law, no responsibility for any errors in or omissions from this document, whether arising out of negligence or otherwise, is accepted.
The information contained in this podcast has not been independently verified.

© Amanda Nikolic 2025

This episode covers the topic of chest trauma, with the James Mckay, an incredible general surgeon, trauma surgeon, and dual trained intensive care physician.

Topics covered include:
- rib fractures
- flail chest
- blunt cardiac injury
- chest drains
- resuscitative thoracotomy
And more!   
 
Disclaimer
The information in this podcast is intended as a revision aid for the purposes of the General Surgery Fellowship Exam.
This information is not to be considered to include any recommendations or medical advice by the author or publisher or any other person. The listener should conduct and rely upon their own independent analysis of the information in this document.
The author provides no guarantees or assurances in relation to any connection between the content of this podcast and the general surgical fellowship exam.  No responsibility or liability is accepted by the author in relation to the performance of any person in the exam.  This podcast is not a substitute for candidates undertaking their own preparations for the exam.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, no responsibility or liability is accepted by the author or publisher or any other person as to the adequacy, accuracy, correctness, completeness or reasonableness of this information, including any statements or information provided by third parties and reproduced or referred to in this document. 
To the maximum extent permitted by law, no responsibility for any errors in or omissions from this document, whether arising out of negligence or otherwise, is accepted.
The information contained in this podcast has not been independently verified.

© Amanda Nikolic 2024

This guest episode with colorectal surgeon Chris Wakeman focuses on the common familial cancer syndromes. For each we go through diagnosis, genetics, surveillance, management, decision making and more. Topics include:
- Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)
- Lynch Syndrome
- Serrated Polyposis Syndrome
- Oligopolyposis
Here are some resources Dr Wakeman suggested might be helpful when covering this topic:

Lynch syndrome - InSiGHT (insight-group.org)

 Adenomatous polyposis syndromes - InSiGHT (insight-group.org)

 Serrated polyposis syndrome - InSiGHT (insight-group.org)

 Chris Wakeman is also happy for e-mails with any questions at: [email protected]

Disclaimer
The information in this podcast is intended as a revision aid for the purposes of the General Surgery Fellowship Exam.
This information is not to be considered to include any recommendations or medical advice by the author or publisher or any other person. The listener should conduct and rely upon their own independent analysis of the information in this document.
The author provides no guarantees or assurances in relation to any connection between the content of this podcast and the general surgical fellowship exam.  No responsibility or liability is accepted by the author in relation to the performance of any person in the exam.  This podcast is not a substitute for candidates undertaking their own preparations for the exam.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, no responsibility or liability is accepted by the author or publisher or any other person as to the adequacy, accuracy, correctness, completeness or reasonableness of this information, including any statements or information provided by third parties and reproduced or referred to in this document. 
To the maximum extent permitted by law, no responsibility for any errors in or omissions from this document, whether arising out of negligence or otherwise, is accepted.
The information contained in this podcast has not been independently verified.

© Amanda Nikolic 2024

This episode is the first  part of a series that has been produced in collaboration with the Australian and New Zealand Training Board in Colon and Rectal Surgery (ANZTBCRS). It has come out of work prepared for the Colorectal Fellow's Training Weekend held in Adelaide in August 2023.

Henry Drysdale won the Phillip Douglas Prize for his presentation on malignant colorectal polyps and is our guest for this episode.
We cover:
- definition
- endoscopic features correlated with malignant polyps
- endoscopic management
- staging
- histopathological classification and risk factors
- determining the risk of residual local or nodal disease
- definitive management 

For images discussed in this episode please check out our Instagram page @first_incision

Disclaimer
The information in this podcast is intended as a revision aid for the purposes of the General Surgery Fellowship Exam and as educational material for doctors.
This information is not to be considered to include any recommendations or medical advice by the author, ANZTBCRS, publisher or any other person. The listener should conduct and rely upon their own independent analysis of the information in this podcast.
The author and ANZTBCRS provides no guarantees or assurances in relation to any connection between the content of this podcast and the general surgical fellowship exam or other examinations.  No responsibility or liability is accepted by the author or ANZTBCRS in relation to the performance of any person in examination.  This podcast is not a substitute for candidates undertaking their own preparations for the exam or other clinical roles.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, no responsibility or liability is accepted by the author, publisher or any other person as to the adequacy, accuracy, correctness, completeness or reasonableness of this information, including any statements or information provided by third parties and reproduced or referred to in this document. 
To the maximum extent permitted by law, no responsibility for any errors in or omissions from this document, whether arising out of negligence or otherwise, is accepted.
The information contained in this podcast has not been independently verified.

© Amanda Nikolic 2024

For this guest episode we are joined by Dr Simon Richards, as colorectal surgeon from Christchurch New Zealand.

This episode is a masterclass in Total Neoadjuvant Therapy (TNT) for Rectal Cancer. We cover:
- the traditional paradigm of rectal cancer management and how it's progressed to where we are now
- what is TNT
- what is 'watch and wait' and 'organ preservation'
- the main three trials you need to know!
- some cases and why you might consider different approaches for different patients
AND MORE!

Disclaimer
The information in this podcast is intended as a revision aid for the purposes of the General Surgery Fellowship Exam.
This information is not to be considered to include any recommendations or medical advice by the author or publisher or any other person. The listener should conduct and rely upon their own independent analysis of the information in this document.
The author provides no guarantees or assurances in relation to any connection between the content of this podcast and the general surgical fellowship exam.  No responsibility or liability is accepted by the author in relation to the performance of any person in the exam.  This podcast is not a substitute for candidates undertaking their own preparations for the exam.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, no responsibility or liability is accepted by the author or publisher or any other person as to the adequacy, accuracy, correctness, completeness or reasonableness of this information, including any statements or information provided by third parties and reproduced or referred to in this document. 
To the maximum extent permitted by law, no responsibility for any errors in or omissions from this document, whether arising out of negligence or otherwise, is accepted.
The information contained in this podcast has not been independently verified.

© Amanda Nikolic 2024

On this guest episode we are joined by Dr Carla Gillespie, an UGI, bariatric and general surgeon from Sydney to cover the topic of bariatric surgery.

We cover:
- pathophysiology
- types of operations
- considerations when deciding what operation
- complications - immediate and late
- how to remove a lap band
- and some general exam and career advice!

Disclaimer
The information in this podcast is intended as a revision aid for the purposes of the General Surgery Fellowship Exam.
This information is not to be considered to include any recommendations or medical advice by the author or publisher or any other person. The listener should conduct and rely upon their own independent analysis of the information in this document.
The author provides no guarantees or assurances in relation to any connection between the content of this podcast and the general surgical fellowship exam.  No responsibility or liability is accepted by the author in relation to the performance of any person in the exam.  This podcast is not a substitute for candidates undertaking their own preparations for the exam.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, no responsibility or liability is accepted by the author or publisher or any other person as to the adequacy, accuracy, correctness, completeness or reasonableness of this information, including any statements or information provided by third parties and reproduced or referred to in this document. 
To the maximum extent permitted by law, no responsibility for any errors in or omissions from this document, whether arising out of negligence or otherwise, is accepted.
The information contained in this podcast has not been independently verified.

© Amanda Nikolic 2024

From the vault (courtesy of Tara who found it).

This episode covers the topic of intestinal failure. It includes:
- definition
- classification
- pathophysiology
- prevention
- the three phases
- intestinal adaptation
- management
- complications (short and long term)

Disclaimer
The information in this podcast is intended as a revision aid for the purposes of the General Surgery Fellowship Exam.
This information is not to be considered to include any recommendations or medical advice by the author or publisher or any other person. The listener should conduct and rely upon their own independent analysis of the information in this document.
The author provides no guarantees or assurances in relation to any connection between the content of this podcast and the general surgical fellowship exam.  No responsibility or liability is accepted by the author in relation to the performance of any person in the exam.  This podcast is not a substitute for candidates undertaking their own preparations for the exam.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, no responsibility or liability is accepted by the author or publisher or any other person as to the adequacy, accuracy, correctness, completeness or reasonableness of this information, including any statements or information provided by third parties and reproduced or referred to in this document. 
To the maximum extent permitted by law, no responsibility for any errors in or omissions from this document, whether arising out of negligence or otherwise, is accepted.
The information contained in this podcast has not been independently verified.

© Amanda Nikolic 2024

In this week's 'Christmas Special' episode I am joined by Ashwini Pondicherry and Jamie Crichton to reflect on our first year of fellowship.
We discuss some of the good things about this transition, but also some of the more difficult and formative aspects and how we negotiated them.
The step from registrar to fellow/consultant is a HUGE one and we hope that by talking about some of these topics it will make it slightly easier for you.
We also discuss the application processes for ANZHPBA, Breast Surg ANZs and CSSANZ (ANZTBCRS) post-fellowship training programs.

Disclaimer
The information in this podcast is intended as a revision aid for the purposes of the General Surgery Fellowship Exam.
This information is not to be considered to include any recommendations or medical advice by the author or publisher or any other person. The listener should conduct and rely upon their own independent analysis of the information in this document.
The author provides no guarantees or assurances in relation to any connection between the content of this podcast and the general surgical fellowship exam.  No responsibility or liability is accepted by the author in relation to the performance of any person in the exam.  This podcast is not a substitute for candidates undertaking their own preparations for the exam.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, no responsibility or liability is accepted by the author or publisher or any other person as to the adequacy, accuracy, correctness, completeness or reasonableness of this information, including any statements or information provided by third parties and reproduced or referred to in this document. 
To the maximum extent permitted by law, no responsibility for any errors in or omissions from this document, whether arising out of negligence or otherwise, is accepted.
The information contained in this podcast has not been independently verified.

© Amanda Nikolic 2023

Our first episode back (in a while - sorry!) is an incredible guest episode that is worth the wait.
We talk through a series of breast cancer cases with Ashwini Pondicherry, the current breast fellow at Christchurch hospital, to cover a wide range of topics in breast cancer. This includes some updates from the original breast cancer episodes (which were published over 2 years ago now).
This episode not only covers content, but is presented in long viva style taking you through a number of cases with some model answers by Ashwini.

For imaging discussed in this episode please check out our Instagram page @first_incision

Disclaimer
The information in this podcast is intended as a revision aid for the purposes of the General Surgery Fellowship Exam.
This information is not to be considered to include any recommendations or medical advice by the author or publisher or any other person. The listener should conduct and rely upon their own independent analysis of the information in this document.
The author provides no guarantees or assurances in relation to any connection between the content of this podcast and the general surgical fellowship exam.  No responsibility or liability is accepted by the author in relation to the performance of any person in the exam.  This podcast is not a substitute for candidates undertaking their own preparations for the exam.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, no responsibility or liability is accepted by the author or publisher or any other person as to the adequacy, accuracy, correctness, completeness or reasonableness of this information, including any statements or information provided by third parties and reproduced or referred to in this document. 
To the maximum extent permitted by law, no responsibility for any errors in or omissions from this document, whether arising out of negligence or otherwise, is accepted.
The information contained in this podcast has not been independently verified.

© Amanda Nikolic 2023

This guest episode covers the essentials you need to know when talking about operative surgery in inflammatory bowel disease.
We are joined by colorectal and general surgeon Mr Michael Johnston who has significant experience in looking after these patients.
We talk about:
- ileocolic resections
- what to do with crohn's fistulas to the sigmoid
- stricturoplasty techniques
- how to handle the crohn's mesentery
- what join to do and why
- when to operate on acute colitis
- how to do a subtotal colectomy
And more! 

Disclaimer
The information in this podcast is intended as a revision aid for the purposes of the General Surgery Fellowship Exam.
This information is not to be considered to include any recommendations or medical advice by the author or publisher or any other person. The listener should conduct and rely upon their own independent analysis of the information in this document.
The author provides no guarantees or assurances in relation to any connection between the content of this podcast and the general surgical fellowship exam.  No responsibility or liability is accepted by the author in relation to the performance of any person in the exam.  This podcast is not a substitute for candidates undertaking their own preparations for the exam.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, no responsibility or liability is accepted by the author or publisher or any other person as to the adequacy, accuracy, correctness, completeness or reasonableness of this information, including any statements or information provided by third parties and reproduced or referred to in this document. 
To the maximum extent permitted by law, no responsibility for any errors in or omissions from this document, whether arising out of negligence or otherwise, is accepted.
The information contained in this podcast has not been independently verified.

© Amanda Nikolic 2023