
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

Nov 17, 2022 • 18min
Clinical Challenges in Surgical Critical Care: Management of the Brain Dead Organ Donor
Historically, a paucity of data has existed in the most appropriate modality of critical care management of brain dead organ donors prior to organ harvest. In this episode, Drs. Bankhead, Dumas, and Park are joined by special guest Dr. Ashley McGinity, a director in the donor management unit the Center for Life at the UT Health Science Center in San Antonio, joins us to discuss modern and current practices in the management of these patients to maximize the gift for patients and families.
References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24980425/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25978154/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31957104/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23116641/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28318674/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25056510/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7145376/
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 critical care episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/podcast-category/surgical-critical-care/

Nov 14, 2022 • 25min
Journal Review in Emergency General Surgery: Surgical Site Complications
The dreaded Surgical Site Complications! Join Drs. Ashlie Nadler, Jordan Nantais and Graham Skelhorne-Gross from our Emergency General Surgery Team as they discuss surgical site complications and prevention techniques.
Paper 1: Arnold et. al. (2019) Not a Routine Case, Why Expect the Routine Outcome? Quantifying the Infectious Burden of Emergency General Surgery Using the NSQIP. American Surgeon
- NSQIP database 2005-2016 (>800,000 patients) including open/laparoscopic cholecystectomies, ventral hernia repairs, and partial colectomies
- Comparing outcomes in emergent vs elective cases
- Primary outcome: aggregate of SSIs which includes wound disruption, superficial SSI, deep SSI, and organ space SSI
- Results:
-- ↑SSI in the emergency group (5.3% vs 3.6%)
-- When controlling for multiple variables, emergency surgery associated with more SSIs (OR 1.15).
Paper 2: Lakhani et. al. (2022) Prophylactic negative pressure wound dressings reduces wound complications following emergency laparotomies: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Surgery
- NPWD remove excess fluid from subcutaneous space, ↓ collections/contaminants, promote angiogenesis, fibroblast infiltration
- Literature review 2005-2022 (NPWD, laparotomy, SSI)
- 1199 patients included (566 NPWD, 633 standard dressings)
- Results:
-- NPWD ↓ wound infection (OR 0.43) and wound breakdown (OR 0.36)
-- No change in LOS, readmission
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out other Emergency General Surgery episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/podcast-category/emergency-general-surgery/

Nov 10, 2022 • 29min
Clinical Challenges in Thoracic Surgery: Anterior Mediastinal Masses
In this episode, our team provides a comprehensive review of the differential diagnosis for mediastinal masses, their workup, and biopsy considerations. Listen as we dive deeper into the perioperative planning and operative approach for resection of these masses with special considerations for patients with thymoma.
Learning Objectives:
-Discuss the differential diagnosis of a mediastinal mass
-Review the workup of a mediastinal mass
-Outline indications for biopsy and describe the various approaches
-Describe the operative techniques for thymectomy, pearls & potential pitfalls
Hosts:
Megan Lenihan MD, Kelly Daus MD, Peter White MD, and Brian Louie MD
Referenced Material
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21847052/
Detterbeck FC, Nicholson AG, Kondo K, Van Schil P, Moran C. The Masaoka-Koga stage classification for thymic malignancies: clarification and definition of terms. J Thorac Oncol. 2011 Jul;6(7 Suppl 3):S1710-6. doi: 10.1097/JTO.0b013e31821e8cff. PMID: 21847052.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33468329/
Ahmad U. The eighth edition TNM stage classification for thymic tumors: What do I need to know? J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2021 Apr;161(4):1524-1529. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2020.10.131. Epub 2020 Nov 13. PMID: 33468329.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34695605/
Marx A, et al. The 2021 WHO Classification of Tumors of the Thymus and Mediastinum: What Is New in Thymic Epithelial, Germ Cell, and Mesenchymal Tumors? J Thorac Oncol. 2022 Feb;17(2):200-213. doi: 10.1016/j.jtho.2021.10.010. Epub 2021 Oct 22. PMID: 34695605.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22882218/
Meriggioli MN, Sanders DB. Muscle autoantibodies in myasthenia gravis: beyond diagnosis? Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2012 Jul;8(5):427-38. doi: 10.1586/eci.12.34. PMID: 22882218; PMCID: PMC3505488.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34339670/
Raja SM, Guptill JT, McConnell A, Al-Khalidi HR, Hartwig MG, Klapper JA. Perioperative Outcomes of Thymectomy in Myasthenia Gravis: A Thoracic Surgery Database Analysis. Ann Thorac Surg. 2022 Mar;113(3):904-910. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2021.06.071. Epub 2021 Jul 30. PMID: 34339670.
Ad referenced in episode: A team at the Brooke Army Medical Center is working to better define proficiency-based metrics for competency in commonly performed general surgery procedures. If you are a PGY4/5 general surgery resident or practicing surgeon who performs robotic assisted cholecystectomies or inguinal hernia repairs, reach out to the PI, Robert Laverty, MD, at rblaverty@gmail.com, for more information on how you could be compensated up to $400 for recording and submitting those videos.
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out other clinical challenge episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/podcast-series/clinical-challenges/

Nov 7, 2022 • 45min
Journal Review in Endocrine Surgery: How Dr. Yeh Built It
In this episode from the Endocrine Surgery team at BTK we discuss how Dr. Yeh built the section of endocrine surgery at UCLA. From Sydney, Australia to Santa Monica, he discusses the risks and challenges involved in becoming a leader in academic endocrine surgery. In this podcast we answer the question “why endocrine surgery,” and mention tips for success at all level of training from medical students to early faculty. Finally, we take a moment to honor and remember Dr. Orlo Clark.
Dr. Michael Yeh is a Professor of Surgery at UCLA and serves as Section Chief of the UCLA Endocrine Surgery program which he established.
Dr. Masha Livhits is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at UCLA and works in the Endocrine Surgery Department
Dr. James Wu is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at UCLA and works in the Endocrine Surgery Department
Dr. Na Eun Kim is an Endocrine Surgery Fellow at UCLA in her first year of fellowship
Dr. Rivfka Shenoy is a PGY-6 General Surgery Resident at UCLA who has completed two years of research
Dr. Max Schumm is a PGY-6 General Surgery Resident at UCLA who has completed two years of research. He is a future endocrine surgeon.
Important Papers
Krishnamurthy VD, Gutnick J, Slotcavage R, Jin J, Berber E, Siperstein A, Shin JJ. Endocrine surgery fellowship graduates past, present, and future: 8 years of early job market experiences and what program directors and trainees can expect. Surgery. 2017 Jan;161(1):289-296. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2016.06.069. Epub 2016 Nov 17. PMID: 27866719.
Krishnamurthy VD, Jin J, Siperstein A, Shin JJ. Mapping endocrine surgery: Workforce analysis from the last six decades. Surgery. 2016 Jan;159(1):102-10. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2015.08.024. Epub 2015 Oct 9. PMID: 26456130.
Kulaylat AN, Kenning EM, Chesnut CH 3rd, James BC, Schubart JR, Saunders BD. The profile of successful applicants for endocrine surgery fellowships: results of a national survey. Am J Surg. 2014 Oct;208(4):685-9. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2014.03.013. Epub 2014 Jun 21. PMID: 25048570; PMCID: PMC4639920.
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out other Endocrine Surgery episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/podcast-category/endocrine/

Nov 3, 2022 • 36min
Clinical Challenges in Colorectal Surgery: Management of Small Bowel Strictures in Crohn’s Disease
You have a young patient with longstanding Crohn’s disease with a history of small bowel resections presenting with recurrent obstructions from a stricture. The patient has exhausted all medical options and requires surgery. How should you work up this patient prior to surgery? Should you perform a bowel resection or perform a strictureplasty? Which strictureplasty do you choose and why?
Join Drs. Peter Marcello, Jonathan Abelson, Tess Aulet and special guest Dr. Fabrizio Michelassi as they discuss the management of small bowel strictures in Crohn’s disease.
Learning Objectives
1. Describe the evaluation for small bowel strictures and indications for operating in patients with Crohn’s disease
2. Discuss the different surgical options in managing small bowel strictures
3. Explain the rationale behind use of different strictureplasty approaches
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out other Colorectal Surgery episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/podcast-category/colorectal/

Oct 31, 2022 • 58min
BIG T Trauma Series Ep. 16 – Pelvic Fractures
On this episode of the BIG T Trauma series Drs. Patrick Georgoff, Teddy Puzio, and Jason Brill discuss hemodynamically unstable pelvic fractures. These patients are sick!! Really sick. Join us for a practical discussion about the best way to manage gnarly pelvic fractures. From binders to angioembolization to pelvic packing to REBOA, we cover it all.
Papers:
Burlew et al, Preperitoneal pelvic packing reduces mortality in patients with life-threatening hemorrhage due to unstable pelvic fractures. J Trauma 2017: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27893645/
McDonogh et al, Preperitoneal packing versus angioembolization for the initial management of hemodynamically unstable pelvic fracture: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Trauma 2022: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34991126/
Li et al, Role of pelvic packing in the first attention given to hemodynamically unstable pelvic fracture patients: a meta-analysis, J ournal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2022: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35799073/
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out the rest of the BIG T trauma series here: https://behindtheknife.org/podcast-series/big-t-trauma/

Oct 27, 2022 • 31min
Innovations in Surgery: 3D Printing
In the second episode of the “Innovations in Surgery” series, Behind the Knife’s surgical education fellow, Dr. Dan Scheese, sits down with Dr. Michael Amendola and Dr. Diana Otoya to discuss 3D Printing and its role in medicine and surgery. They speak on the history of this technology and the current utility in preoperative planning and intraoperative application.
Looking for information on getting involved in 3D Printing?
Link to the VHA Office of Advanced Manufacturing: https://www.innovation.va.gov/oam/views/about/whoweare.html
Link to information regarding the 3D printing fellowship: https://www.innovation.va.gov/oam/views/training/training.html
Additionally, you can contact Dr. Michael Amendola or Dr. Diana Otoya for more information regarding the 3D printing surgical fellowship.
Dr. Michael Amendola: michael.amendola@va.gov
Dr. Diana Otoya: Diana.Otoya@vcuhealth.org
Dr. Amendola also has a website for mentorship and other information: https://michaelamendola.com/
Download free 3D designs that are ready to print at https://www.thingiverse.com/
Lastly, anyone that has access to a VA can take the TMS module Dr. Amendola created. TMS: 3D Printing in the VA Health Care System: Building the Hospital of the Future. Item: 45343
Goes through history, types of printers, and basic medical information you need for 3D printing. Good intro lecture/ free education to any trainee within the VA.
https://www.tms.va.gov/SecureAuth35/
Dr. Amendola has received his medical degree, completed his general surgery residency and vascular surgery fellowship at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is board certified by the American Board of Surgery in both general and vascular surgery. In 2021 he was inducted into the American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators. He maintains privileges at Central Virginia VA Health Care System in Richmond, Virginia and is a Professor of Surgery at VCU-SOM. Additionally, he is the program director of the Office of Advance Manufacturing’s Central Virginia VA Health Care System based 3D Printing Surgical Fellowship.
Dr. Diana Otoya is a third-year general surgery resident at VCU. She spent her first research year as a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Chief Resident in Quality and Safety at the Central Virginia Health Care System while also becoming the inaugural fellow for the VHA 3D Printing Surgical Fellowship. She is now currently in her second year in the 3D Printing fellowship program.
Ad referenced in episode: A team at the Brooke Army Medical Center is working to better define proficiency-based metrics for competency in commonly performed general surgery procedures. If you are a PGY4/5 general surgery resident or practicing surgeon who performs robotic assisted cholecystectomies or inguinal hernia repairs, reach out to the PI, Robert Laverty, MD, at rblaverty@gmail.com, for more information on how you could be compensated up to $400 for recording and submitting those videos.
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org/ to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos, and more.
If you liked this episode, check out our latest episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/listen/

Oct 24, 2022 • 30min
Innovations in Surgery: Artificial Intelligence
Join our surgical education fellow, Dr. Dan Scheese as he kicks off a brand new BTK series titled “Innovations in Surgery.” This series will take a deeper look into past, present, and future innovations that have, or will, revolutionize the field of surgery. In this inaugural episode, Dr. Scheese and Dr. Patrick Georgoff sit down with a leader in the surgical artificial intelligence field, Dr. Daniel Hashimoto. They cover what surgical artificial intelligence is, go over some common terminology used in AI, talk about current applications of AI in the OR, and finally discuss the future of AI in surgery.
“Artificial Intelligence in Surgery: Promises and Perils” - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5995666/
Video – Application of AI in the OR – https://youtu.be/kabcjtdI308
Daniel Hashimoto is assistant professor of surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and director of the Penn Computer Assisted Surgery and Outcomes (PCASO) Laboratory. He received his MD and MS in translational research from the University of Pennsylvania and completed his general surgery training at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, where he was also associate director of research of the Surgical AI & Innovation Laboratory. He is vice-chair and co-founder of the Global Surgical AI Collaborative, a nonprofit that oversees and manages a global data-sharing and analytics platform for surgical data. His work focuses on the use of computer vision for the delivery of intraoperative decision support and assessment of surgical performance. He is editor of the textbook Artificial Intelligence in Surgery: Understanding the Role of AI in Surgical Practice, which provides a nontechnical foundation on key concepts in artificial intelligence as it applies to surgical care.
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org/ to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos, and more.
If you liked this episode, check out our latest episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/listen/

Oct 20, 2022 • 37min
Clinical Challenges in Vascular Surgery: Acute Mesenteric Ischemia
You get called to the ED to evaluate a patient with abdominal pain who is in extreme pain but without any helpful physical exam findings. Time is gut in mesenteric ischemia, so how do you prioritize your workup, initial treatment, and what do you do once you’ve made the diagnosis? In this episode of Behind the Knife, the vascular surgery team discusses all this and more by walking through a real case and talking through the principles of management as well as some helpful tips on how to actually get through these tough clinical scenarios.
Dr. Bobby Beaulieu is an Assistant Professor of Vascular Surgery at the University of Michigan and the Program Director of the Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency Program as well as the Vascular Surgery Fellowship Program at the University of Michigan.
Dr. Frank Davis is an Assistant Professor of Vascular Surgery at the University of Michigan.
Dr. Craig Brown is a PGY-7 in the General Surgery program and recently matched 2023 vascular fellow at the University of Michigan.
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
Check out our Vascular Surgery Oral Board Review Book here: https://www.amazon.com/Vascular-Surgery-Oral-Board-Review/dp/0578382296/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1IF8LX547EOEA&keywords=behind+the+knife&qid=1666184084&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjM3IiwicXNhIjoiMC43MCIsInFzcCI6IjAuNTgifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=behind+the+knife%2Caps%2C57&sr=8-3&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0

Oct 17, 2022 • 44min
Clinical Challenges in Hepatobiliary Surgery: Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm (IPMN)
What’s the one clinical scenario where you can really save a patient’s life with a pancreatectomy? An IPMN with high-grade dysplasia! Join the Behind the Knife HPB Team for a deep dive into the complex decision-making surgical management of IPMNs.
Learning Objectives
In this episode, we review the basics of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, how to evaluate patients with a cystic mass of the pancreas, guidelines for surveillance, and indications for resection. We discuss key concepts such as Worrisome Features and High-Risk Stigmata and how those influence surgical decision-making, and tackle a few of the most challenging scenarios surgeons may face when treating patients with IPMNs.
Hosts:
Timothy Vreelant, MD, FACS (@vreelant) is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Surgical Oncologist at Brooke Army Medical Center
Daniel Nelson, DO, FACS (@DWNelsonHPB) is an Associate Professor of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Surgical Oncologist at William Beaumont Army Medical Center
Connor Chick, MD (@connor_chick) is a PGY-6 General Surgery resident at Brooke Army Medical Center
Lexy (Alexandra) Adams, MD, MPH (@lexyadams16) is a PGY-5 General Surgery resident at Brooke Army Medical Center
Beth Carpenter, MD (@elizcarpenter16) is a PGY-4 General Surgery resident at Brooke Army Medical Center
Links to Papers Referenced in this Episode
Revisions of international consensus Fukuoka guidelines for the management of IPMN of the pancreas
Pancreatology. 2017 Sep-Oct;17(5):738-753.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28735806/
Number of Worrisome Features and Risk of Malignancy in Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm.
J Am Coll Surg. 2022 Jun 1;234(6):1021-1030.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35703792/
Extent of Surgery and Implications of Transection Margin Status after Resection of IPMNs.
Gastroenterology Research and Practice 2014, 1–10.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25276122/
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out other Hepatobiliary Surgery episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/podcast-category/hepatobiliary/