First Incision

In this episode we go into some of the pathologies that can affect the salivary gland, as well as the different neck infections we need to know about.

Topics covered include:
Salivary Gland Pathology
- Salivary gland calculi (sialolithiasis)
- Infections / Inflammation including sialadenitis
- Plunging ranulas
Cervical Infections
- Compartments of the neck
- Different infections and neck abscesses

As I mentioned in the first episode of this series I can highly recommend the Open Access Atlas of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Operative Surgery as a study resource for head and neck surgery. This is a free online resource which has great articles on each operation including relevant anatomy and pictures of each step of the surgery. I found this super useful to use during my preparation. Here is the link to the whole atlas:
http://www.entdev.uct.ac.za/guides/open-access-atlas-of-otolaryngology-head-neck-operative-surgery/
Here are some topics covered in this episode:
Sialolithiasis: https://vula.uct.ac.za/access/content/group/ba5fb1bd-be95-48e5-81be-586fbaeba29d/Sialolithiasis%20and%20sialendoscopy.pdf
Ranula: https://vula.uct.ac.za/access/content/group/ba5fb1bd-be95-48e5-81be-586fbaeba29d/Ranula%20and%20sublingual%20salivary%20gland%20excision.pdf
Parapharyngeal space: https://vula.uct.ac.za/access/content/group/ba5fb1bd-be95-48e5-81be-586fbaeba29d/Access%20to%20parapharyngeal%20space-1.pdf
Deep neck abscesses: https://vula.uct.ac.za/access/content/group/ba5fb1bd-be95-48e5-81be-586fbaeba29d/Surgical%20drainage%20of%20deep%20neck%20abscesses.pdf

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

On this guest episode, we talk to Anthony Payne, a financial and tax consultant with DPM Financial about some of the financial changes we will face transitioning from being a registrar to fellowship and consultancy.

Some of the topics we cover include:
- Transitioning from employee to sole trader, and the implications on this for Tax, Super, Insurances and Leave. 
- What an ABN is and why you need it
- GST as a sole trader and what you need to know
-  The typical financial set-ups of private practice including setting up your own rooms or joining an existing group
- Legal and financial aspects of setting up your own private group and how to get it right from the get-go.
- A variety of different strategies to minimise your tax
And so much more!

Anthony Pane obviously has significant experience and expertise helping doctors manage their finances and transition through all stages of their careers. If you want to learn more or reach out for an obligation-free appointment you can find them on their website dpm.com.au.

Disclaimer
The information discussed in this episode is of a general nature and is not intended to serve as individual advice. The views and opinions expressed are the views of DPM and not First Incision. DPM Financial services recommends you obtain advice concerning specific matters before making any decisions.
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

In this first episode from the Head and Neck module of our curriculum we touch on salivary gland pathology. Including:
- Salivary gland anatomy - including the parotid and submandibular glands. As part of this we cover the important anatomical relations and the parasympathetic supply (highly examinable!)
- Common tumours of the salivary glands and how to treat them
- Some operative tips and how to describe how you would perform a superficial parotidectomy and submandibular gland extirpation
- Common complications of these operations including Frey's syndrome

I can highly recommend the Open Access Atlas of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Operative Surgery as a study resource for head and neck surgery. This is a free online resource which has great articles on each operation including relevant anatomy and pictures of each step of the surgery. I found this super useful to use during my preparation. Here is the link to the whole atlas:
http://www.entdev.uct.ac.za/guides/open-access-atlas-of-otolaryngology-head-neck-operative-surgery/
Parotidectomy: https://vula.uct.ac.za/access/content/group/ba5fb1bd-be95-48e5-81be-586fbaeba29d/Parotidectomy-1.pdf
Submandibular gland excision: https://vula.uct.ac.za/access/content/group/ba5fb1bd-be95-48e5-81be-586fbaeba29d/Submandibular%20gland%20excision.pdf

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 2022

This week we are joined by the incredible urologist Dr Anita Clarke to talk about all things urology!
We cover:
- the benefits of multidisciplinary surgical approach
- putting in a ureteric stent
- the diagnosis and management of bladder cancer (for general surgeons)
- management of intra-operative ureteric injuries
- the difficult urinary catheter and inserting a suprapubic catheter
As well as other life advice, insight into the life of a surgeon, and exam advice (from a previous chief examiner).
I hope you enjoy this special guest episode :) 

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 2022

Welcome to this guest episode with A/Prof Phil Carson. A/Prof Carson is a general surgeon from Darwin and the most recent ex-censor in chief of RACS. We are lucky enough to have him for this special episode to cover a range of topics filled with pearls and insights from his varied and interesting career.
We cover:
- some background into his life as a rural generalist in Darwin.
- what to do to prepare for practice if you are considering a career as a rural general surgeon.
- we gain some insights into RACS and its role in surgical training and exams through A/Prof’s position on the college council and as the censor in chief.
- we hear from the other side what the college really wants us to get out of the exam process!
- through his rewarding career in the territory we hear about working with Australia’s Aboriginal people.
- he shares how he keeps calm and clear-headed when faced with difficult clinical and administrative situations as a surgeon.
- we also cover the clinical topic of necrotising fasciitis, and how to approach a question in the exam you feel you haven’t prepared for.
- as well as finish with advice for trainees once they’ve passed their exam!
I'm so excited to share this episode with you!

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 2022

We are lucky enough this week to be joined by the incredible Kellee Slater - HPB and hernia surgeon from Queensland. In addition to being an incredible surgeon, researcher, published author and presenter, A/Prof Slater has been extremely generous and joined us to cover topics from the hepatobiliary and transplant modules.

I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it. Once again I'm overwhelmed by the time surgeons spend working with us to help us prepare for exams and am so grateful for A/Prof Slater's time and expertise. 

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 2022

I'm back! After a nice break holidaying around Italy I bring you an introduction to the transplant module!
Hopefully this covers enough background to get started with the module including transplant immunobiology, immunosuppressive medications, criteria for organ donation and complications of immunosuppression.

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 2022

I know I promised you all a series on urology but I'm taking a break this week and releasing a bonus episode from the vault!

This episode covers all the appendiceal pathologies from the 'emergency' module of the curriculum:
- acute appendicitis
- appendiceal tumours including adenocarcinoma, mucinous adenocarcinoma, mucinous neoplasms, goblet cell adenocarcinoma, and neuroendocrine tumours.
- and we also touch on pseudomyxoma peritonei 

I hope you enjoy this episode!

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 2022

This episode continues our foray into the urology topics we need to know for our general surgical exams. We cover:
- testicular tumours including the presentation, subtypes, workup, radical inguinal orchidectomy and management
- Varicoceles
- Hydroceles (including some operative points on Jaboulay and Lord's procedures)
- and epididymal cysts

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 2022

From the abdominal wall, retroperitoneum and urogenital module from the curriculum I bring you the first in a series of podcasts covering urology!
We have to know quite a few urology topics for our exam, but where better to start than by covering anatomy and embryology.
In this episode we cover the clinically relevant anatomy of:
- the kidneys
- ureter
- bladder
- testes
- vas deferens
- seminal vesicles
And some embryology of the kidneys and testes.

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 2022