

Behind The Knife: The Surgery Podcast
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.
Behind the Knife is more than a podcast. Visit www.behindtheknife.org to learn more.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 5, 2023 • 15min
Intern Bootcamp - Consults
Buckle up, PGY-1’s! Intern year is starting whether you’re ready or not. Don’t fret, BTK has your back to make sure you dominate the first year of residency.
This episode, we’ll talk about how to give and receive consults in the hospital like a pro. We’ll also provide some tips on how to make those long call days a little more manageable.
Hosts: Shanaz Hossain, Nina Clark
Tips for New Interns:
GIVING CONSULTS
Clear and Concise Question!
Develop a script, such as:
“Hi, this is XX with the general surgery team. We’re calling to request an evaluation for a patient presenting with XX. I can give you the MRN whenever you are ready…”
Follow this with a brief H&P.
If you are asking another team to perform a procedure on your patient, be prepared with the following information:
NPO Status
Ability to Consent or Proxy Contact
Blood Thinners
Urgency of Procedure
RECEIVING CONSULTS
Make sure you are clear on what the team is asking of you as a consultant.
Clarify if the patient is expecting to receive a surgery before talking to them about an operation!
Quickly gather information about the patient and their hospital course from the consultant, electronic medical record, and, most importantly, the patient!
Note the callback number on the primary team and call them with the plan after you have staffed the patient with your attending.
If you are asked to perform a procedure as a consultant, clarify the following information:
NPO Status
Ability to Consent or Proxy Contact
Blood Thinners
Urgency of Procedure
Develop a system to stay organized and keep track of your to-do list with consults!
CALL SHIFTS
Bring a survival bag with toothbrush/toothpaste, face wash, deodorant, change of clothes, etc to reset.
Try to nap when you can, but:
PM round to address non-urgent pages ahead of time
Set alarms!
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out our new how-to video series on suture and knot-tying skills – https://behindtheknife.org/video-playlists/btk-suture-practice-kit-knot-tying-simulator-how-to-videos/

Jul 4, 2023 • 17min
Intern Bootcamp - Medical Students
Buckle up, PGY-1’s! Intern year is starting whether you’re ready or not. Don’t fret, BTK has your back to make sure you dominate the first year of residency.
You’ve been a doctor for about 3.5 seconds, and suddenly that bright eyed, bushy-tailed medical student on service is looking to you for advice? Don’t fret, in this episode we’ll give you some tips for how to handle it.
Hosts: Shanaz Hossain, Nina Clark
Tips for new interns:
REMEMBER HOW INTERNS DO AND DO NOT TEACH
- Nobody, not even the med students, expect you to be an expert in everything or give a fully-planned formal lecture
- You WILL however spend a ton of time working with students on your team – and via modeling and teachable moments, you can help them learn how it’s done!
MODELING
- Remember how hard everything has been in the few days since you started residency? Think about all the information you’ve picked up, tips and tricks you’re developing for efficiency, and best practices you’re learning in the care of your patients. ALL of these are things you can pass on to students.
- Presentations, case prep, answering questions from senior members of the team are ALL excellent opportunities to teach (and show students how you learn yourself, so they can do it independently).
TEACHABLE MOMENTS
- Find small topics that you know or are getting to know well – things like looking at a CXR, CT scan, etc.
- Once you’re getting more comfortable caring for specific disease processes, think about high yield lessons for students:
- Acute trauma evaluation and management (ABCDE’s), appendicitis, diverticulitis, benign biliary disease all make great 5 minute chalk talks that you can have in your back pocket
IN THE OR
- Watch students practice skills, and try to give some feedback and tips that you use (you learned knot tying and suturing more recently than ANYONE else in the OR and probably have some tips that you’re still using to improve)
- If you’re not sure where or why the student is struggling with a particular skill (like tying a knot), model doing it yourself in slow motion while watching them do it – often the side by side comparison can help you identify where they’re going astray
BE THE RESIDENT YOU WISH YOU HAD
- Refer to EVERYONE with respect
- Model being a kind, conscientious, and curious physician
- Try to find universal lessons and crossover topics that non-surgeons need to know
- A great student makes their interns look even better – be explicit about how they can be successful, then advocate for them to have opportunities to show everything they’re learning!
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out our new how-to video series on suture and knot-tying skills – https://behindtheknife.org/video-playlists/btk-suture-practice-kit-knot-tying-simulator-how-to-videos/

Jul 3, 2023 • 18min
Intern Bootcamp - Resource Overload
SHOW NOTES
Buckle up, PGY-1’s! Intern year is starting whether you’re ready or not. Don’t fret, BTK has your back to make sure you dominate the first year of residency.
This episode, we’ll tackle the resources that you should know about to support your own learning throughout residency.
Hosts: Shanaz Hossain, Nina Clark
Tips for new interns:
STRUCTURE YOUR STUDYING
- 2 things you need to do: (1) develop a knowledge base and (2) answer questions
- Knowledge base
Pick a level-appropriate textbook, read it (ideally all of it) yearly.
Ideally, lead a little bit every day - 10 pages/day is a good goal to start with and you may need to adjust.
- Questions
Do some questions every week – 50/week is a good goal to start
Plan to do more questions closer to ABSITE!
Consider storing everything you learn in one place – either a notebook you carry with you or a cloud-based note app
Share this with others, use it to take notes while reading, doing cases, getting feedback, or gaining experience while taking care of patients every day.
SPECIFIC RESOURCES
- Textbooks
Sabiston: big book, very dense, with a lot of great information.
Schwartz: shorter chapters, clinically oriented, ideal for junior residents
Cameron: shorter chapters, clinically oriented, ideal for senior residents
- ABSITE review books
Fiser: Classic, packed with facts but can be difficult to read, good for looking things up quickly
BTK ABSITE Companion: from yours truly! High quality illustrations and algorithms that pairs well with the BTK ABSITE podcast episodes. Stay tuned for an updated episodes and companion book in Fall 2023!
- Question banks
TrueLearn: high quality, can be pricy depending on program
SCORE: written/edited by ABS, free for subscribing programs
LEARN HOW TO OPERATE??
- Carry suture and a needle driver with you and practice basic moves
- Consider a home suture kit for practice when you don’t want to be in sim lab – BTK released one this year
- Use VIDEOS to ensure learning things the correct way!
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out our new how-to video series on suture and knot-tying skills – https://behindtheknife.org/video-playlists/btk-suture-practice-kit-knot-tying-simulator-how-to-videos/

Jun 30, 2023 • 16min
Intern Bootcamp - The First Day
Buckle up, PGY-1’s! Intern year is starting whether you’re ready or not. Don’t fret, BTK has your back to make sure you dominate the first year of residency.
First up, the first day of intern year.
Hosts: Shanaz Hossain, Nina Clark
Tips for new interns:
BRING WHAT YOU NEED
Name badge
Scrubs, white coat, and extra clinic clothes
Comfortable shoes - even on clinic days
Pager
Phone
Pen
Bonus stuff that’s good to keep in your bag: Snacks, extras of everything, toothbrusth/toothpaste/deodorant, suture
STAY ORGANIZED
Preround purposefully and systematically
Look at the same things in the same order every day on every patient
Write data in the same physical location on your sheet so you can quickly find information on the fly
Keep track of to-do’s from rounds
Check box system:
Nina’s system: empty = not done, half full = ordered/needs follow up, full = completely done and followed up on
Don’t forget to look at the results of imaging studies, labs, or consults after they are entered!
Prioritize urgent/emergent things first, then consults and discharges, then routine orders, then notesAs you get more efficient, start drafting your notes as you pre-round – it will save you lots of time later in the afternoon!
OWN THE FLOOR
During the day, be ready to shift your priorities as urgent issues arise.
Develop a system for remembering what happened after rounds so you can quickly update seniors Shanaz’s system: One color for AM rounds, a different color for afternoon events
Load the boat! Your team is there to help you. If you are concerned about someone or have a question, ask. There is truly no better time than as an intern. Master the art of getting your seniors’ attention in the OR - be conscientious, be clear in what you’re asking, and be prepared to report back about urgent findings!
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out our new how-to video series on suture and knot-tying skills - https://behindtheknife.org/video-playlists/btk-suture-practice-kit-knot-tying-simulator-how-to-videos/

Jun 29, 2023 • 39min
Clinical Challenges in Hernia Surgery: Loss of Domain
In their BTK debut, the Hernia team from Carolinas Medical Center discusses how to approach a hernia patient with loss of domain. This Clinical Challenges episode reviews strategies that optimize patients and provide them with the best chance of fascial closure. So, tune in, and enjoy a data driven conversation with our newest hernia enthusiasts!
Hosts:
- Sullivan "Sully" Ayuso, MD - PGY4 General Surgery Resident, sullivan.ayuso@gmail.com, Carolinas Medical Center
- Monica Polcz, MD - Clinical Fellow (PGY-8) in Abdominal Wall Reconstruction, monica.polcz@atriumhealth.org, Carolinas Medical Center
- Vedra Augenstein, MD FACS - Associate Professor of Surgery (11 years in practice), vedra.augenstein@gmail.com, Carolinas Medical Center B
- Todd Heniford, MD FACS - Professor of Surgery (25 years in practice), todd.heniford@gmail.com, Carolinas Medical Center
Links to articles:
- Katzen et al, Open Preperitoneal Ventral Hernia Repair: Prospective Observational Study of Quality Improvement Outcomes over 18 Years and 1,842 patients, Surgery, 2022
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36280505/
- Bernardi et al, Primary Fascial Closure During Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair Improves Patient Quality of Life: A Multicenter, Blinded Randomized Trial, Ann Surg, 2020
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31365365/
- Deerenberg et al, The Effects of Preoperative Botulinum Toxin A on Abdominal Wall Reconstruction, J Surg Res, 2021
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33360691/
- Bueno-Lledó, Preoperative Progressive Pneumoperitoneum and Botulinum Toxin A in Patients with Large Incisional Hernia, Hernia, 2017
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28124308/
- Maloney et al, Twelve Years of Component Separation Technique in Abdominal Wall Reconstruction, Surgery, 2021
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31358348/
- Ayuso et al, Delayed Primary Closure (DPC) of the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissues Following Complex, Contaminated Abdominal Wall Reconstruction (AWR): A Propensity-Matched Study, Surg Endo, 2022
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34018046/
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out more hernia episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/podcast-category/hernia/

Jun 26, 2023 • 41min
How to do a Liver Transplant with Dr. Shah and Dr. Dageforde
Join BTK's Dr. Kevin Kniery for a discussion on How to do a Liver Transplant with Dr. Shah and Dr. Dageforde.
Additional resources:
- Watch: Liver Transplant Surgical Techniques - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk1Ld7Fp5es
- Listen:
Surgical Technique: Kidney Transplant (Part 1) https://behindtheknife.org/podcast/surgical-technique-kidney-transplant-part-1/
Surgical Technique: Kidney Transplant (Part 2)
https://behindtheknife.org/podcast/surgical-technique-kidney-transplant-part-2/
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

Jun 22, 2023 • 29min
Healthcare Upside Down Interview with Dr. Buchwald
Dr. Buchwald is Professor Emeritus of Surgery and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Minnesota. He is a veteran, world-renowned metabolic surgeon, author, professor and patient healthcare advocate. His book “Healthcare Upside Down: A Critical Examination of Policy and Practice” was born out of Dr. Buchwald’s observations of the healthcare industry over the last 50 years. In it, he explores how healthcare has been turned upside down to serve the administrators of the system and away from its basic function of offering the best care for patients. More importantly, he discusses solutions for turning our broken healthcare system right-side up to better serve all patients.
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out other recent episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/listen/

Jun 19, 2023 • 34min
Journal Review in Surgical Education: Recent Changes to the Residency Application Process
Application season is almost here! Whether you are about to apply to surgery residency or are part of a program recruiting applicants, there are several recent changes to the process that you should be aware of. Residency recruitment continues to see increased numbers of applications that create challenges for both students and programs. ERAS and other organizations are trying to address these issues with alterations to the application process. Today, we’ll discuss how the ERAS supplemental application, as well as new concepts like a single interview release period and decoupled rank lists, can help. We’re joined by Dr. Jennifer LaFemina, one of the leaders in these efforts within the general surgery recruitment process.
Learning Objectives
- Listeners will describe current challenges in the residency recruitment process.
- Listeners will describe the value that changes such as the ERAS supplemental application can add to the residency recruitment process.
- Listeners will recognize the results that changes to the residency application process have had during the first 2 years of implementation in surgery.
- Listeners will consider how alterations to the residency application process can be successfully applied within their own program or application.
References:
LaFemina J, Rosenkranz KM, Aarons CB, et al. Outcomes of the 2021-2022 APDS General Surgery Recruitment Process Recommendations. Journal of Surgical Education. 2023;80(6):767-775. doi:10.1016/j.jsurg.2023.02.019
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out other surgical education episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/podcast-category/surgical-education/

Jun 15, 2023 • 50min
The Second Victim Syndrome with Dr. Haytham Kaafarani
You just finished a difficult case in which a complication occurred. Feelings of guilt, sadness, and anxiety are pouring over you. You can't help but think you are a terrible surgeon, maybe even a terrible person. Does this sound familiar? Complications have profound psychological impact on surgeons. Find out how one surgeon decided to do something about it by creating a peer support program. Join Jessica Millar and Patrick Georgoff as they discuss the second victim syndrome with Dr. Haytham Kaafarani (@hayfarani).
References:
- The Surgeon as the Second Victim? Results of the Boston Intraoperative Adverse Events Surgeons' Attitude (BISA) Study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28093300/
- Design and Impact of a Novel Surgery-Specific Second Victim Peer Support Program: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31857209/
- When Things Go Wrong: The Surgeon as Second Victim: https://pubmed.ncbi. nlm.nih.gov/30480564/
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://behindtheknife.org/listen/

Jun 12, 2023 • 33min
Journal Review in Surgical Oncology: Piperacillin-Tazobactam Compared With Cefoxitin as Antimicrobial Prophylaxis for Pancreatoduodenectomy
Join the Surgical Oncology team from UTSouthwestern and the University of Miami as they tackle a journal review covering how to choose perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis for pancreatoduodenectomy. Listen in as they also review novel methodology and the origins of the study.
Learning Objectives:
What antibiotics are you giving before your Whipple? In the group’s final episode together, we review the 1st of its kind, registry linked, pragmatic surgical trial in North America. In the episode we dissect “Piperacillin-Tazobactam Compared With Cefoxitin as Antimicrobial Prophylaxis for Pancreatoduodenectomy - A Randomized Clinical Trial” and discuss the practice changing findings, and the future of surgical clinical trials.
Hosts:
Adam Yopp, MD, FACS (@AdamYopp) is an Associate Professor of Surgery at the UT Southwestern Medical Center and is Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology. He also serves as Surgical Director of the Liver Tumor Program.
Caitlin Hester, MD (@CaitlinAHester) is a recent graduate of the MD Anderson Complex General Surgical Oncology fellowship and is now a new faculty member in the Division of Surgical Oncology within the Sylvester Cancer Center at the University of Miami where she specializes in surgery for cancers of the liver, pancreas, and other gastrointestinal sites.
Gilbert Murimwa, MD (@GilbertZMurimwa) is a PGY-4 Research Fellow and General Surgery Resident at the UT Southwestern Medical Center. He is studying the pancreatic tumor microenvironment and targeted therapies in the lab of Rolf Brekken within the Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research. He also does work on access to care, social determinants of health, and interventions to mitigate disparities in surgical and oncologic outcomes under the mentorship of Patricio Polanco.
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out surgical oncology episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/podcast-category/surgical-oncology/