
Behind The Knife: The Surgery Podcast
Behind the Knife is the world’s #1 surgery podcast. From high-yield educational topics to interviews with leaders in the field, Behind the Knife delivers the information you need to know. Tune in for timely, relevant, and engaging content designed to help you DOMINATE THE DAY!
Behind the Knife is more than a podcast. Visit www.behindtheknife.org to learn more.
Latest episodes

Oct 7, 2024 • 28min
Journal Review in Surgical Oncology: The MAGIC and FLOT-4 Landmark Trials
In this episode, we review key components of the landmark MAGIC and FLOT-4 trials that investigated perioperative chemotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced gastric cancer. We discuss limitations of both trials and the evolving clinical landscape of gastric cancer treatment.
Hosts:
- Timothy Vreeland, MD, FACS (@vreelant) is an Associate Professor of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Surgical Oncologist/HPB surgeon at Brooke Army Medical Center.
- Daniel Nelson, DO, FACS (@usarmydoc24) is a Surgical Oncologist/HPB surgeon at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center.
- Connor Chick, MD (@connor_chick) is a Surgical Oncology Senior Fellow at Ohio State.
- Lexy (Alexandra) Adams, MD, MPH (@lexyadams16) is a Surgical Oncology Junior Fellow at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
- Beth (Elizabeth) Barbera, MD (@elizcarpenter16) is a PGY-6 General Surgery resident at Brooke Army Medical Center.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand background, methodology, results, and interpretation of the MAGIC trial.
2. Understand background, methodology, results, and interpretation of the FLOT trial.
3. Be able to discuss the evolution of chemotherapeutic regimens in the treatment of locally advanced gastric cancer and rationale for their use.
4. Be able to describe key limitations for the above regimens.
5. Discuss the the evolving clinical landscape for chemotherapy in gastroesophageal junction tumors.
Links to Papers Referenced in this Episode:
Journal Articles:
Cunningham, D., Allum, W. H., Stenning, S. P., Thompson, J. N., Van de Velde, C. J., Nicolson, M., ... & Chua, Y. J. (2006). Perioperative chemotherapy versus surgery alone for resectable gastroesophageal cancer. New England Journal of Medicine, 355(1), 11-20.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16822992/
Al-Batran, S. E., Homann, N., Pauligk, C., Goetze, T. O., Meiler, J., Kasper, S., ... & Hofheinz, R. D. (2019). Perioperative chemotherapy with fluorouracil plus leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and docetaxel versus fluorouracil or capecitabine plus cisplatin and epirubicin for locally advanced, resectable gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (FLOT4): a randomised, phase 2/3 trial. The Lancet, 393(10184), 1948-1957.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30982686/
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Oct 3, 2024 • 39min
Is the Medical Publishing Industry a Scam?
Is the medical publishing industry a scam? As the open access model has grown, pay-to-publish has helped large publishers maintain profit margins similar to that of large tech companies. The problem? They do so by exploiting the blood, sweat, and tears of academics and the institutions that support them. Join Dr. Patrick Georgoff (@georgoff, Duke Surgery), Dr. Ayman Ali (BTK education fellow, Duke Surgery), and special guest Dr. Allan Detsky for an engaging discussion.
Paper discussed: The Changing Medical Publishing Industry: Economics, Expansion, and Equity (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11606-023-08307-z)
DR. ALLAN S. DETSKY, MD, PhD, FRCPC, CM is Professor, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, and Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto; former Physician-in-Chief, Mount Sinai Hospital(1997-2009); and former Head of the Division of General Internal Medicine at The Toronto Hospital and University of Toronto (1987-1997). Dr. Detsky received his B.S. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, his M.D. from Harvard Medical School, and his Ph.D. (in Economics) from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1978. He has served on the editorial board of the New England Journal of Medicine, and as a member of the Drug Quality and Therapeutics Committee for the Province of Ontario where he spearheaded the effort to formally include cost-effectiveness considerations into the Canadian drug reimbursement process. Dr. Detsky has received 2 Tony nominations as a producer (Jesus Christ Superstar 2012, Come From Away 2017 and an Olivier Award for Best Musical in 2018. In June 2018, he was appointed by the Governor General to the Order of Canada.
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://app.behindtheknife.org/listen

Sep 30, 2024 • 1h 8min
USA vs. UK: ASGBI Ep. 1 - Surgical Training
Welcome to the first episode of our new collaborative series with the Association of Surgeons in Great Britain and Ireland! During this series, BTK fellow Jon Williams and ASGBI hosts Kellie Bateman and Jared Wohlgemut compare and contrast the surgeon profession between the United States and the United Kingdom, debating who does what better. In this episode, we take a deep dive into surgical training in the US and the UK, from fostering student interest to trainee operating to specialization and certification. Dr. Jeremy Lipman represents the US while Dr. Jon Lund represents the UK in this thought-provoking conversation.
Dr. Lipman is a colorectal surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic and the director of graduate medical education for all training programs at the Cleveland Clinic. Additionally, he is an Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education and Professor of Surgery at Case Western Reserve University. After going to Boston College for his bachelor degree, he obtained his medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. Subsequently he completed his general surgery residency training at Case Western and his colorectal surgery fellowship at Cleveland Clinic. After practicing at MetroHealth Medical Center where he served many training and education leadership roles, he returned to Cleveland Clinic as faculty where he remains today.
Dr. Lund is Professor and Head of the Department of Surgery at University of Nottingham at Derby, and Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at Royal Derby Hospital. He is Chair of the Joint Committee on Surgical Training, and before that was Surgical Director of the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme, the online training management system used by all trainees and trainers in Surgery in the UK. He has recently been appointed as Dean of education at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
So, who trains surgeons better? UK or US? Give the episode a listen and decide for yourself!
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://app.behindtheknife.org/listen

Sep 26, 2024 • 31min
Journal Review in Surgical Education: Navigating the Surgical Residency Match Process
In this episode, podcast hosts Dr. Josh Roshal, Dr. Darian Hoagland, and Dr. Maya Hunt dive into two important papers that provide guidance on navigating the hidden curriculum of the surgical residency match process. Joined by fellow CoSEF members Dr. Ariana Naaseh and Dr. John Woodward, the discussion revolves around practical tips for finding your perfect surgical residency and filtering out the noise during the application process.
Journal Club Hosts:
–Dr. Josh Roshal, University of Texas Medical Branch, @Joshua_Roshal, jaroshal@utmb.edu
–Dr. Darian Hoagland, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, @DHoaglandMD, dlhoagla@bidmc.harvard.edu
–Dr. Maya Hunt, Indiana University, @dr_mayathehunt, mayahunt@iu.edu
–CoSEF: @surgedfellows, cosef.org
Journal Club Authors:
-Dr. Ariana Naaseh, Washington University in St. Louis, @ariananaaseh, a.naaseh@wustl.edu
-Dr. John Woodwad, University at Buffalo, @JohnWoodward76, jmwoodwa@buffalo.edu
Medical Students:
-Rachel Kalbfell (MS4), Washington University in St. Louis, @rachelkalbfell, rkalbfell@wustl.edu
-Keith Makhecha (MS4), Indiana University, kmakhech@iu.edu
References:
1. Woodward JM, Lund S, Brian R, Anand A, Moreci R, Navarro SM, Zarate Rodriguez J, Naaseh A, Tate K, Roshal J, Silvestri C, Gan CY, Sathe T, Thornton SW, Cloonan M, Weaver L, Oh MH, Godley F, L’Huillier JC. Find Your Perfect Match for Surgical Residency: Six Steps to Building Your BRANDD from the Collaboration of Surgical Education Fellows. Annals of Surgery. 2024;5(3). doi:10.1097/AS9.0000000000000466.
2. Naaseh A, Roshal J, Silvestri C, Woodward JM, Thornton SW, L’Huillier JC, Hunt M, Sathe TS, Hoagland DL, Godley F IV, Jindani R, Tieken KR, Rodriguez JGZ, Anand A, Chen JH, Navarro SM, Lund S. Filter Out the Noise: How to Narrow Your Search for the Perfect Match by the Collaboration of Surgical Education Fellows (CoSEF). Journal of Surgical Education. 2024;81(10):1394-1399. doi:10.1016/j.jsurg.2024.07.010
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39178489/
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

5 snips
Sep 23, 2024 • 17min
Medicine Consult Series: Ep. 3 - Acute Kidney Injury
Low urine output – when is it a cause for alarm? Emma Burke is joined by Dr. Bryan Tucker to discuss quick hits on acute kidney injury as part of the Med/Surg Consult series.
Host:
- Emma Burke, MD – General Surgery Resident at Baylor College of Medicine, @emmaburke017
Guest:
- Bryan Tucker, DO – Nephrologist at Baylor College of Medicine, @bmtucker3
Learning Objectives:
- Define acute kidney injury (AKI) using KDIGO guidelines.
- Develop a framework for initial workup of perioperative AKI.
- Discuss the importance of in urine output in AKI management.
- Identify AKI risk factors and preventative measures for high-risk surgical patients.
References:
- KDIGO AKI Guidelines: https://kdigo.org/guidelines/acute-kidney-injury/
Learn more about our Dominate Surgery: A High-Yield Guide to Your Surgery Clerkship course and preview a full chapter here: https://app.behindtheknife.org/premium/dominate-surgery-a-high-yield-guide-to-your-surgery-clerkship
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
DOMINATE THE DAY

Sep 19, 2024 • 16min
Medicine Consult Series: Ep. 2 - Diabetes Management
Welcome to another episode of our medicine-surgery consult series! If your case was just cancelled because you and your patient did not know to hold their new GLP-1 agonist and you’re wondering what to do in the interim, this may be the perfect time to tune into a quick refresher of diabetes quick-hits as it pertains to surgical teams.
You’ve just finished rolling a patient up to the OR in the middle of the night after a gunshot wound to the chest, and now you need to deal with something even more intimidating – finishing admission orders on your patient with chronic, poorly controlled diabetes on 7 different medications. Join Dr. Katherine Neal and Ayman Ali as they go over some general principles and tips and tricks in this ever-growing and complicated patient cohort!
Hosts:
Katherine Neal, MD. Assistant Professor of Medicine, Duke Hospital.
Ayman Ali, MD. General Surgery PGY-3, Duke University School of Medicine.
Learning Objectives:
General principles of in-patient diabetes management
Review of common medications and their side effects
Learn some common pitfalls and how to avoid them
Learn more about our Dominate Surgery: A High-Yield Guide to Your Surgery Clerkship course and preview a full chapter here: https://app.behindtheknife.org/premium/dominate-surgery-a-high-yield-guide-to-your-surgery-clerkship
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
DOMINATE THE DAY

Sep 16, 2024 • 29min
Medicine Consult Series: Ep. 1 - Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation
You're the new intern on your first night of night float. First page, right off the bat – AFib with rates into the 150s. What's your next move?! Dr. Nathan Anderson takes the anxiety out of approaching Atrial Fibrillation in the post-operative patient. Join him and Dr. Elizabeth Maginot as they discuss this very common post-operative you're guaranteed to see on the wards.
Hosts:
- Dr. Nathan Anderson, Internal Medicine Associate Professor and Hospitalist, University of Nebraska
- Dr. Elizabeth Maginot, General Surgery Resident and BTK Surgical Education Fellow, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Twitter: @e_magination95
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to the development of atrial fibrillation in the postoperative setting.
- Critically approach the different management options for atrial fibrillation in the post-cardiac and non-cardiac surgery settings, including rate versus rhythm control, indications for cardioversion, and the role of anticoagulation.
- Identify common risk factors for atrial fibrillation in the post-operative setting.
- Discuss long-term management and follow-up strategies for patients who develop atrial fibrillation after surgery.
References:
1. Bhave PD, Goldman LE, Vittinghoff E, Maselli J, Auerbach A. Incidence, predictors, and outcomes associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation after major noncardiac surgery. AmericanHeart Journal. 2012;164(6):918-924. doi:10.1016/j.ahj.2012.09.004
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23194493/
2. Gialdini G, Nearing K, Bhave PD, et al.. Perioperative Atrial Fibrillation and the Long-term Risk ofIschemic Stroke. JAMA. 2014;312(6):616. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.9143
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25117130/
3. Snow V, Weiss KB, LeFevre M, McNamara R, Bass E, Green LA, Michl K, Owens DK, Susman J, Allen DI, Mottur-Pilson C; AAFP Panel on Atrial Fibrillation; ACP Panel on Atrial Fibrillation.Management of newly detected atrial fibrillation: a clinical practice guideline from the AmericanAcademy of Family Physicians and the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2003 Dec16;139(12):1009-17. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-139-12-200312160-00011. PMID: 14678921.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14678921/
4. A Comparison of Rate Control and Rhythm Control in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation. NewEngland Journal of Medicine. 2002;347(23):1825-1833. doi:10.1056/nejmoa021328
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12466506/
Learn more about our Dominate Surgery: A High-Yield Guide to Your Surgery Clerkship course and preview a full chapter here: https://app.behindtheknife.org/premium/dominate-surgery-a-high-yield-guide-to-your-surgery-clerkship
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
DOMINATE THE DAY

Sep 12, 2024 • 37min
Clinical Challenges in Hernia Surgery: Parastomal Hernias
Parastomal hernias are some of the toughest cases in abdominal wall reconstruction. Join Drs. Ajita Prabhu, Lucas Beffa, Sara Maskal and Ryan Ellis as they talk through their approach to these difficult cases.
Hosts:
- Ajita Prabhu, MD, Cleveland Clinic, @aprabhumd1
- Lucas Beffa, MD, Cleveland Clinic, @BeffaLukeMD
- Ryan Ellis, MD, Cleveland Clinic, @EllisMD2020
- Sara Maskal, MD, Cleveland Clinic
Learning Objectives:
- Review anatomy of parastomal abdominal wall hernias
- Review perioperative pitfalls and tips for staying out of trouble
- Review common surgical approaches to repair
References:
- Maskal SM, Ellis RC, Miller BT. Parastomal hernia repair, trying to optimize the impossible reconstruction. Hernia. 2024 Apr 28:1-6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38678529/
- Maskal SM, Thomas JD, Miller BT, Fafaj A, Zolin SJ, Montelione K, Ellis RC, Prabhu AS, Krpata DM, Beffa LR, Costanzo A. Open retromuscular keyhole compared with Sugarbaker mesh for parastomal hernia repair: Early results of a randomized clinical trial. Surgery. 2024 Mar 1;175(3):813-21.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37770344/
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://app.behindtheknife.org/listen

Sep 9, 2024 • 27min
Clinical Challenges in Burn Surgery: Burn Resuscitation - Titrating and Troubleshooting - Part 2 of 2
A patient with a large TBSA burn injury is transferred to a regional burn center. You are faced with some difficult clinical decisions as the resuscitation proves to be challenging. Join Drs. Tam Pham, Rob Cartotto, Julie Rizzo, Alex Morzycki and Jamie Oh as they discuss the clinical challenges in titrating and troubleshooting during acute burn resuscitation.
Hosts:
· Dr. Tam Pham: UW Medicine Regional Burn Center
· Dr. Robert Cartotto: University of Toronto, Ross Tilley Burn Centre
· Dr. Julie Rizzo: Brooke Army Medical Center
· Dr. Alex Morzycki: UW Medicine Regional Burn Center
· Dr. Jamie Oh: UW Medicine Regional Burn Center
Learning Objectives:
· Understand the role of colloids as complement/rescue to standard crystalloid fluid titration.
· Identify the fluid threshold associated with development of abdominal compartment syndrome
· Understand the role of continuous renal replacement therapy for patients with acute kidney injury during the resuscitation phase.
· List specific patient populations who may experience a more difficult resuscitation.
References:
1. Ivy ME, Atweh NA, Palmer J, et al. Intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome in burn patients. J Trauma 2000
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11003313/
2. Cartotto R, Johnson LS, Savetamal A, et al. American Burn Association Clinical Practice Guidelines on Burn Shock Resuscitation. J Burn Care Res 2023
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38051821/
3. Greenhalgh DG, Cartotto R, Taylor SL, et al. Burn Resuscitation practices in North America: results of the Acute Burn ResUscitation Prospective Trial (ABRUPT). Ann Surg 2023
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34417368/
4. Cartotto R, Callum J. A review of the use of human albumin in burn patients. J Burn Care Res 2012
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23143614/
5. Cruz MV, Carney BC, Luker JN, et al. Plasma ameliorates endothelial dysfunction in burn injury. J Surg Res 2019
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30502286/
6. Falhstrom K, Boyle C, Makic MBF. Implementation of a nurse-driven burn resuscitation protocol: a quality improvement project. Critical Care Nurses 2013
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23377155/
7. Salinas J, Chung KK, Mann EA, et al. Computerized decision support system improves fluid resuscitation following severe burns: an original study. Crit Care Med 2011
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21532472/
8. Kenney CL, Singh P, Rizzo J, et al. Impact of alcohol and methamphetamine use on burn resuscitation. J Burn Care Res 2023
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37227949/
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://app.behindtheknife.org/listen

Sep 5, 2024 • 27min
Dominate Surgery: A High-Yield Guide to Your Surgery Clerkship - Sample Episodes: Thyroid and Melanoma
Are you ready to DOMINATE surgery? Well let's go! Perform at the highest level on day one of your rotation using our easy to navigate text, tables, flashcards, podcasts, and videos. Go beyond rote memorization and learn what really matters. We are talking practical, high-yield, and engaging content all available at your fingertips. Get the information you need to know FAST. Whether it's learning how to two-hand tie, work up a patient with a colon mass, or organizing yourself for rounds, Behind the Knife has got you covered.
Today's episode includes 2 sample episodes from this course. Learn more and preview a full chapter here: https://app.behindtheknife.org/premium/dominate-surgery-a-high-yield-guide-to-your-surgery-clerkship
More Behind the Knife Student Resources: https://app.behindtheknife.org/students
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
DOMINATE THE DAY