About

Basic sciences such as anatomy, physiology, pathology and microbiology are the principal components for developing a strong foundation in surgical training and for the understanding of its clinically applied aspects such as surgical anatomy and critical care physiology. As such, these subjects form an integral part in the MRCS A exam.

This intensive three-day course will provide the attendee with an overview of basic physiological principles, consolidate the candidate's core and applied surgical knowledge in anatomy and relevant pathology, and provide a focused revision of pertinent topics as tested in the exam. The course takes into consideration the recent changes to the MRCS A exam, with more emphasis on basic sciences – especially anatomy.

The course is structured into three distinct, but related, days. On Day 1, the emphasis will be on basic and surgically applied anatomy, and relevant system specific pathology. Day 2 will predominately cover cancer pathology, microbiology, genetics, statistics, embryology, autonomous nervous system and head & neck anatomy. Day 3 will cover trauma, general pathology, benign and malignant tumours, principles of surgery, burns and applied surgical sciences.

It is advised that delegates attend all three days of the course to get the full benefit. However, if they are particularly strong in the topics on any of the three days, then they have the option of attending the individual days of the course.

Reviews

Topics covered

Day 1:
SURGICAL AND APPLIED ANATOMY (except Head and Neck), AND SYSTEM SPECIFIC PATHOLOGY

• Brachial Plexus, Arm, Shoulder, Scapula, Back and Rotator Cuff (includes upper limb nerve injuries, palsies and shoulder pathologies)
• Cubital Fossa, Forearm, Flexor Retinaculum and Hand (includes carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar nerve palsies, hand pathologies)
• Thoracic Wall; Mediastinum; Heart; Lungs; Oesophagus; Diaphragm
• Vascular anatomy of Thorax, Head and Neck and Thorax (includes vascular access and chest drain insertion)
• Vascular Pathologies of Neck and Thorax
• Transpyloric Plane, Anterior Abdominal Wall and Inguinal Region (includes hernia and scrotal swellings)
• Abdominal Anatomy; Hollow and Solid Organs (includes bowel pathologies, colon cancer and segmental bowel resections)
• Pelvis and Perineum
• Lumbar and Lumbosacral Plexus
• Femoral Triangle, Thigh, Popliteal Fossa; Lower Leg, Ankle and Foot (includes lower limb nerve injuries, palsies, compartment syndrome and ankle injuries)
• Revision of Day 1, and Sample Questions

• Skull base, Head, Scalp and Face; Surgical Pathologies of the Head and Face (includes parotid tumours)
• Neck, Thyroid, Larynx, Pharynx, Tongue; Surgical Pathologies of the Neck
• Head and Neck Embryology; Pharyngeal Arches
• Autonomous Nervous System
• Essential topics in Microbiology
• Tuberculosis
• Necrotising Fasciitis
• Statistics and its Surgical Application
• Cancers of the Brain and their management
• Cancers of the Oesophagus and their management
• Cancers of the Lung and their management
• Genetics and Inheritance Patterns
• Revision of Days 1 and 2, and Sample Questions

• Management of Trauma; ATLS Principles
• Head Injury; Neurophysiology
• Basic and General Pathology
• Pre-operative Assessment
• Post-operative Complications and Management
• Fundamentals of Wound Healing; Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery
• Principles of Local Anaesthetics; Tourniquets; Diathermy
• Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery
• Sutures, Suture Materials and Needles
• Management of Burns
• Lumps and Benign Lesions; Ulcers
• Vascular Pathologies and Vascular Surgery
• Cancers of Thyroid and their management
• Cancers of the Breast and their management
• Melanoma and its Management
• Cutaneous malignancies
• Testicular Cancers and their management
• Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Endocrine and Renal Physiology
• Calcium metabolism
• Revision of Days 1, 2 and 3 and Sample Questions