First Incision

This episode explores blunt and penetrating neck trauma with special guest Ben Finlay.
We discuss:
Blunt cerebrovascular injury including:
- the grading system
- Denver screening criteria
- diagnosis
- management
Penetraing neck trauma
- zones of the neck
- hard and soft signs of vascular and aerodigestive tract injuries
- approaches to management including the 'zonal approach' and 'no-zone' approach
- exposures of zone I, II and II injuries
- repair of carotid and aerodigestive tract injuries
- the dreaded exposure of subclavian injuries
Links:
Kenji Inaba's talk on Subclavian Artery Injuries for the Arizona Trauma Association: https://arizonatrauma.org/subclavian-injuries/
'DSTC' is the Definitive Surgical Trauma Care course which is fantastic and we highly recommend doing if possible! https://dstc.com.au/
And the Top Knife chapter on neck trauma we mentioned is a book entitled 'Top Knife: the Art and Craft of Trauma Surgery' by Hirshberg and Mattox. Another great trauma resource.
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

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

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

This week's episode introduces us to the topic of 'skin'. I know it seems weird that I would do an episode just on this but bear with me! The topics covered include:
- the function of the skin as an organ
- histopathology of the layers of the skin
- Fitzpatrick skin types
- history and examination of a skin lesions
- principles and pathophysiology of flaps and grafts
- topical treatments for skins cancers
Everything we need before taking a deep dive into skin cancers in the coming weeks!
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