Surgery Shelf Prep!

Abdominal trauma isn’t just high-yield—it’s high-stakes. One missed diagnosis, one delayed move, and your patient’s outcome could spiral fast. That’s why mastering this topic is essential for the shelf—and for real-life emergencies.

In this episode, Chris and Mars break down abdominal trauma management like pros. From FAST algorithms to trauma laparotomy, you’ll learn how to quickly triage, resuscitate, and operate with confidence.

We cover: ✅ When to take a trauma patient straight to the OR—no detours ✅ What the FAST exam doesn’t tell you (and why that matters) ✅ How to recognize the let...

Sternal fractures aren’t just bruises—and a “crunchy” neck might mean a trip to the OR. Don’t miss these deadly thoracic trauma patterns that hide in plain sight.

In this high-octane episode of Surgery Shelf Prep, Chris and Mars break down three clutch thoracic trauma topics that are critical for your shelf exam and real-life resuscitations: Sternal Fracture, Traumatic Pneumomediastinum, and Resuscitative Thoracotomy.

You'll learn to: ✅ Recognize sternal fractures as more than just broken bones—watch out for underlying cardiac contusions and aortic injuries ✅ Catch the Macklin effect in traumatic pneumomediastinum—and rule out deadly trachea...

Blunt chest trauma can be sneaky—and deadly. Don’t let widened mediastinums, bowel sounds in the chest, or new right bundle branch blocks catch you off guard.

In this episode, Chris and Mars tackle three critical thoracic trauma topics that are absolute shelf favorites: Blunt Aortic Injury, Traumatic Diaphragmatic Rupture, and Cardiac Contusion. You’ll learn how to recognize key signs on chest X-ray, understand the pathophysiology behind these high-stakes injuries, and lock in life-saving management steps.

We break down: ✅ When to act fast on a widened mediastinum ✅ Why bowel sounds in the chest mean surge...

Chris and Mars are back to bring the heat with Part 2 of Thoracic Trauma on Surgery Shelf Prep! This episode covers three critical, life-threatening injuries including flail chest, pulmonary contusions, and cardiac tamponade. Understanding these high yield topics will help you ace your surgery shelf exam and shine on your surgery clerkship! Strap in and tune in your brain for this rocking thoracic trauma episode!

Chris and Mars are back to tackle thoracic trauma—starting with the three that will make or break your shelf exam and your real-life trauma responses. In this jam-packed episode of Surgery Shelf Prep, they break down:

✅ How to clinically recognize and manage Tension Pneumothorax ✅ The do’s and don’ts of treating an Open (Sucking) Pneumothorax. ✅ Identifying a Massive Hemothorax ✅ Shelf traps, treatment pitfalls.

Perfect for surgery clerkship students preparing for the surgery shelf exam!

Chris and Mars wrap up their spinal-cord-injury episodes with a review of some high-yield spinal cord injury diagnoses including the Jefferson Fracture, Hangman Fracture, Chance Fracture, and SCIWORA. Nail down these topics to shine on your clerkship rotations, the shelf exam, and in patient care. Rock it!

Chris and Mars tackle one of the most high-stakes topics for the surgery shelf: acute spinal cord injury. From life-threatening neurogenic shock to the classic cord syndromes that are super high-yield, this fast-paced chat arms you with the must-know algorithms, imaging calls, and management targets that will pop up on your surgery clerkship rotation and on your exams.

In this neuro-packed episode, Chris and Mars dive deep into brain trauma—a must-know topic for your surgery clerkship and shelf exam.

They break down essential scenarios including epidural hematoma, subdural hematoma, subarachnoid hemorrhage, diffuse axonal injury, and uncal herniation. You'll master recognizing classic clinical presentations, critical imaging findings on CT, key management strategies (when to intubate, indications for hyperventilation, and why ICP and CPP matter), plus vital shelf pearls like the Cushing’s reflex and basilar skull fracture signs.

Perfect for med students prepping for their surgery clerkship, NBME shelf, or USMLE Step 2 CK.

In this episode of Surgery Shelf Prep, Chris and Mars break down the initial evaluation and of trauma using the ATLS principles. From ABCDEs to life-saving pearls, this episode is packed with essential knowledge to help you dominate the surgery shelf and crush it in the trauma bay.

In episode, Chris and Mars zoom in on trace elements—those small but mighty players in surgical recovery and nutrition. Whether it’s zinc, copper, selenium, or even manganese, these elements pack a punch for your patients on Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) and are guaranteed shelf pearls for your exam.

🎙️ You’ll learn: ✅ Why zinc deficiency can tank wound healing and show up as that classic perioral/perianal rash (acrodermatitis!). ✅ How copper deficiency mimics B12 neuropathy and causes microcytic anemia unresponsive to iron. ✅ The link between selenium and cardiomyopathy (hello, Keshan disease!). ✅ Why a TPN patient with new hyperglycemia m...

In this part 2 episode of Surgery Shelf Prep, Chris and Mars dive into the differential diagnoses, complications, and management of acute appendicitis. From key mimics like ovarian torsion and mesenteric lymphadenitis to critical intraoperative decisions and antibiotic strategies, they cover the must-know facts to help you avoid common shelf traps. Perfect for medical students preparing for the surgery shelf and Step 2 CK!

In this two-part episode of Surgery Shelf Prep, Chris and Mars break down everything you need to know about acute appendicitis for your surgery shelf and Step 2 CK. In part 1, we go from classic presentations and physical exam pearls to Alvarado scoring and imaging strategies, they cover the essential facts that will keep you from falling into common test traps.

Listen in for rapid-fire Q&A, clear explanations of tricky concepts, and pro tips to help you crush questions on this surgical emergency.

🎧 Perfect for medical students preparing for the Surgery Shelf Exam and clerkship!

Chris and Mars take you through pulmonary, hematology, and endocrine considerations for your shelf exam in Preoperative Care Part 2.

This episode dives into: ✅ The most common post-op pulmonary complications like atelectasis and pneumonia—and how to prevent them. ✅ Why smoking cessation timing matters and optimizing asthma/COPD patients pre-op. ✅ Managing anticoagulants: Warfarin, DOACs, aspirin, and clopidogrel before surgery. ✅ Diabetes management: insulin adjustments, perioperative glucose targets, and when to give stress-dose steroids. ✅ Shelf pearls on hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and Malignant Hyperthermia—know the triggers, signs, and treatment.

In this part 1 of 2 episodes, Chris and Mars break down the essentials of optimizing patients for surgery, focusing on cardiac risk assessment and perioperative management.

We’ll cover: ✅ The Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) – your go-to tool for identifying high-risk patients. ✅ How to evaluate functional capacity with METs. ✅ Perioperative management of Pacemakers and ICDs. ✅ The “don’t miss” triad of Severe Aortic Stenosis and when to postpone surgery. ✅ Why Pulmonary Hypertension increases surgical risk. ✅ Timing surgery after a recent MI and how to manage patients with CABG or stents. ✅ High-yield pearls on continuing beta-blockers, holding ACE inhibitors/ARBs, and the role of st...

In this high-yield episode of Surgery Shelf Prep, Chris and Mars break down the most important high yield facts about the gallbladder. From risk factors, anatomy, and complications, they’ll guide you through the key facts, subtle differences, and testable pearls you need to crush on exam day. Listen in for rapid-fire questions and answers, quick tips to avoid common shelf pitfalls, and clear explanations of tricky topics. Whether you’re on your commute or scrubbing in, this episode is your edge for the surgery clerkship.

In this biliary episode, Chris and Mars break down the critical complications that can occur after a cholecystectomy—an essential topic for the surgery clerkship and shelf exam. They explore early post-op issues like bile leaks, bilomas, and common bile duct injuries, plus late complications like postcholecystectomy syndrome and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. You’ll learn how to recognize key presentations, and master management strategies, including when to call for ERCP or take a patient back to the OR. Perfect for med students prepping for their surgery clerkship, NBME shelf, or USMLE Step 2 CK.

In this episode, Chris and Mars break down three crucial gallbladder topics for your surgery shelf: porcelain gallbladder, gallbladder carcinoma, and biliary dyskinesia. Learn why porcelain gallbladder is no longer considered an automatic ticket to the OR, how to recognize the subtle early signs of gallbladder cancer, and the key diagnostic test for biliary dyskinesia. Perfect for medical students prepping for the surgery clerkship or shelf exam—tune in to sharpen your surgical knowledge!

Ready, Set, Go! Chris and Mars break down three biliary tract heavyweights for your surgery shelf: Choledocholithiasis, Ascending Cholangitis, and Mirizzi Syndrome. These conditions may look similar on the surface but have key differences in presentation, diagnosis, and management that will save you points on exam day—and lives in the hospital.

You’ll learn: ✅ Why fluctuating jaundice should make you think stones in the CBD. ✅ The Charcot triad and Reynolds pentad—and why they’re surgical emergencies. ✅ Why RUQ ultrasound can miss stones and when to upgrade to MRCP or ERCP. ✅ The hallmark finding of Mirizzi Syndrome and why...

Get WEIRD! Chris and Mars break down acute cholecystitis, one of the most tested topics on the surgery shelf and Step 2 CK. From the pathophysiology of gallstone obstruction to the key physical exam findings and definitive management, this episode will solidify your knowledge for test day. Learn how to distinguish biliary colic from cholecystitis, understand the role of ultrasound and HIDA scanning, and master the high-risk scenarios like acalculous and emphysematous cholecystitis.

In this episode, Chris and Mars break down the gallbladder—its anatomy, physiology, and why gallstones are such a hot topic for the surgery shelf. Learn the key landmarks of the biliary tree, the types of gallstones, and the patients most at risk for complications. They also cover critical surgical concepts like Calot’s triangle and the “critical view of safety” during cholecystectomy. Perfect for medical students prepping for their surgery clerkship and shelf exam!

In this high-yield episode, Chris and Mars break down the essentials of breast diseases for the Surgery Shelf exam. From benign breast masses to invasive carcinomas, they cover the clinical pearls and rapid-fire facts you need to crush test day. Learn how to differentiate fibrocystic changes from fibroadenomas, when to suspect cancer in postmenopausal patients, and the red flags for inflammatory breast cancer. They’ll also hit key surgical considerations, including breast cancer management options, BRCA mutation counseling, and nerve injuries during axillary dissection. Perfect for med students prepping for their surgery clerkship and shelf exam!

In this high-yield episode, Chris and Mars break down BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations—essential knowledge for your surgery shelf and Step 2 CK. Learn how these tumor suppressor genes work, the key red flags for suspecting BRCA mutations, and why prophylactic surgery is often the best strategy for ovarian cancer prevention. We’ll also cover high-risk screening protocols, chemoprevention options like Tamoxifen, and critical distinctions between BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers (including male patients!). Perfect for medical students prepping for their surgery clerkship and exams. Give this a listen before your next clinic!

In this high-yield episode, Chris and Mars break down Phyllodes Tumors of the Breast—a rare but testable topic you must know for the surgery clerkship and shelf exam. Learn how to distinguish phyllodes tumors from fibroadenomas, why wide excision is key to preventing recurrence, and the unique “leaf-like pattern” that shows up on pathology. Plus, they’ll cover how these tumors spread hematogenously (not lymphatically!) and when to skip axillary dissection. Perfect for med students prepping for their surgery rotation and exams.

In this high-yield episode, Chris and Mars unpack fibroadenoma and fibrocystic disease—two common yet often confused benign breast conditions that every med student needs to know. Learn how to distinguish their clinical presentations, understand key ultrasound findings, and master management strategies that will keep you sharp on test day. Perfect for students prepping for their surgery clerkship and shelf exams. Check it out on your way to your next clerkship!

In this high-yield episode, Chris and Mars unpack Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS)—a tricky but critical topic for the surgery clerkship and shelf exam. Learn how LCIS differs from DCIS, why it’s a marker of breast cancer risk and not a premalignant lesion, and the management strategies you need to master before test day. Perfect for med students prepping for their surgery clerkship and exams. Give this a listen before your next breast clinic!

In this high-yield episode of Surgery Shelf Prep, Chris and Mars break down everything you need to know about Invasive Breast Cancer for your shelf exam and clinical rotations. From key risk factors (like prolonged estrogen exposure and BRCA mutations) to diagnostic pearls (triple test, core-needle biopsy) and treatment strategies (lumpectomy vs. mastectomy, SLNB vs. ALND), we’ve got you covered. Learn about classic presentations, including Peau d’orange and nipple discharge, and reinforce your knowledge on hormonal and HER2-targeted therapies. Perfect for med students prepping for their surgery clerkship and shelf exam.

In this high-yield episode, Chris and Mars break down two must-know topics for the surgery shelf: Inflammatory Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer in Pregnancy. Learn how to recognize the classic “peau d’orange” appearance, understand why inflammatory breast cancer is always staged as T4, and master the key management strategies for treating breast cancer in expecting moms. Packed with shelf tips, clinical pearls, and a dash of humor, this is your go-to guide for scoring big on breast surgery questions.

Chris and Mars break down everything you need to know about Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) for the surgery shelf exam. From recognizing microcalcifications on mammography to understanding why DCIS doesn’t metastasize, they cover high-yield facts, management strategies, and tricky exceptions for sentinel lymph node biopsy. Tune in for a fast, focused, and fun review to level up your breast surgery knowledge.