
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

Sep 5, 2022 • 29min
Coding and Billing: What, Why, and How
Join BTK's Dr. Scott Steele and Dr. Jason Bingham as they discuss coding and billing with Dr. Sarah Vogler.
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out our Financial Principles for Surgeons series here: https://behindtheknife.org/podcast-series/financial-principles-for-surgeons/

Sep 1, 2022 • 22min
BTK General Surgery Oral Board Review – Sample Episode 6 - Hyperparathyroidism
Our oral board review course includes 92 scenarios that meticulously cover 115 SCORE core topics. Each scenario includes two parts. The first part is a perfectly executed oral board scenario that mimics the real thing. Scenarios are 5 to 7 minutes long and include a variety of tactics and styles. If you are able to achieve this level of performance in your preparation you are sure to pass the oral exam with flying colors. The second part introduces high-yield commentary to each scenario. This commentary includes tips and tricks to help you dominate the most challenging scenarios in addition to practical, easy-to-understand teaching that covers the most confusing topics we face as general surgeons. We are confident you will find this unique, dual format approach a highly effective way to prepare for the test.
Learn more about the Oral Board Review episodes at https://behindtheknife.org/premium/
Please visit behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

Aug 29, 2022 • 23min
BTK General Surgery Oral Board Review - Sample Episode 5 - Rectal Cancer
Our oral board review course includes 92 scenarios that meticulously cover 115 SCORE core topics. Each scenario includes two parts. The first part is a perfectly executed oral board scenario that mimics the real thing. Scenarios are 5 to 7 minutes long and include a variety of tactics and styles. If you are able to achieve this level of performance in your preparation you are sure to pass the oral exam with flying colors. The second part introduces high-yield commentary to each scenario. This commentary includes tips and tricks to help you dominate the most challenging scenarios in addition to practical, easy-to-understand teaching that covers the most confusing topics we face as general surgeons. We are confident you will find this unique, dual format approach a highly effective way to prepare for the test.
Learn more about the Oral Board Review episodes at https://behindtheknife.org/premium/
Please visit behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

Aug 25, 2022 • 30min
Journal Review in Surgical Palliative Care: Advance Care Planning, Serious Illness Conversations and Perioperative Decision Making
Welcome to the second Surgical Palliative Care Journal Club, number four of a six-part series focused on the integration of palliative care into the practice of surgery. Join us as we discuss the value of utilizing an advance care planning video during surgical oncologic care and define the similarities and differences between advance care planning and serious illness communication. We then explore how a multidisciplinary committee may improve perioperative decision making and discuss the importance of the interdisciplinary palliative care team.
Please use the links below to learn more about advance care planning and serious illness conversation.
Integrating Advance Care Planning Videos into Surgical Oncologic Care: A Randomized Clinical Trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30964385/
A Multidisciplinary High-Risk Surgery Committee May Improve Perioperative Decision Making for Patients and Physicians
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34851187/
What’s Wrong with Advance Care Planning?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34623373/
Shifting to Serious Illness Conversation
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34994773/
Serious Illness Care Program/ Serious Illness Communication Guide
https://www.ariadnelabs.org/serious-illness-care/serious-illness-care-program/
Vital Talk
https://www.vitaltalk.org/
Dr. Red Hoffman (@redmdnd) is an acute care surgeon and associate hospice medical director in Asheville, North Carolina, host of the Surgical Palliative Care Podcast (@surgpallcare) and co-founder of the recently launched Surgical Palliative Care Society (www.spcsociety.org).
Dr. Zara Cooper (@zaracMD) is an acute care surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital where she serves as Kessler Director for the Center of Surgery and Public Health (@csph_bwh). She is a Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School, associate faculty at Adriane Labs, and adjunct faculty at the Marcus Institute for Aging Research.
Dr. Amanda Stastny (@manda_plez) is a PGY-3 in the General Surgery program at Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) in Asheville, NC.
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out other Palliative Care episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/podcast-category/palliative-care/

Aug 22, 2022 • 40min
Clinical Challenges in Surgical Education: Competency-Based Education
Surgical training is evolving, and with advancing surgical techniques, the traditional “time-served” model of residency may not best serve the needs of our learners or patients. In this episode, we discuss recent efforts at the Indiana University surgical education program to implement a comprehensive laparoscopic cholecystectomy that utilizes all of the best practices of competency-based education. We’re joined by first author Dr. Betsy Huffman, along with her mentors Drs. Jennifer Choi, Matthew Ritter, and Dimitrios Stefanidis for a practical review of their pioneering work.
Learning Objectives:
· Review challenges to the current paradigm of surgical education
· Define competency-based education
· Discuss practical challenges facing surgical educators when implementing new curricula
References:
A competency-based laparoscopic cholecystectomy curriculum significantly improves
general surgery residents’ operative performance and decreases skill variability – https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000004853
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 additional BTK surgical education episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/podcast-category/surgical-education/

Aug 18, 2022 • 37min
Journal Review in Breast Surgery: Evolution of DCIS Management
Ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS, is a precursor lesion to invasive breast cancer; however, not all DCIS becomes invasive cancer. Given our inability to accurately determine which DCIS lesions will progress, current clinical management consists of surgical resection for everyone with the possible additions of radiation and endocrine therapy. Multiple clinical trials and leaders in the field of breast surgical oncology are challenging our assumptions about the uniform approach to DCIS and are attempting to design treatment based on biology— tune in to hear about the evolving approach to management of DCIS!
Hosts:
Alexa Glencer, MD
Michael Alvarado, MD
Rita Mukhtar, MD
Laura Esserman, MD
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out other breast surgery episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/podcast-category/breast/

6 snips
Aug 15, 2022 • 25min
Clinical Challenges in Trauma Surgery: Penetrating Great Vessel Injury
We are facing a difficult case tonight: stab wound to the base of the left neck. Hope you know your anatomy well and are ready for a ride. Let’s see how one manages a patient whose injury is life threatening, a challenge to correctly diagnose, approach and repair.
Join Drs. Urréchaga, Neeman, and Rattan from Ryder Trauma Center in Miami as they go through a real case trying to save a life and dominate the day.
Learning Objectives:
Reviewing thoracic outlet anatomy.
Simplifying primary survey and immediate care for penetrating great vessel injuries.
Discussing possible surgical approaches for various great vessel injuries, incisions, extensions, tips and tricks.
References
1) Feliciano DV, DuBose JJ. Cardiac, great vessel, and pulmonary injuries. In: Rasmussen TR, Tai NRM, eds. Rich’s Vascular Trauma. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier, 2022: 171-198.
2) Karmy-Jones R, Namias N, Coimbra R, et al. Western Trauma Association critical decisions in trauma: penetrating chest trauma. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2014;77(6):994-1002.
3) Sperry JL, Moore EE, Coimbra R, et al. Western Trauma Association critical decisions in trauma: penetrating neck trauma. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2013;75(6):936-940.
4) Wall MJ, Ghanta RK, Mattox KL. Heart and thoracic vessels. In: Feliciano DV, Mattox K L, Moore EE, eds. Trauma. 9th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2021: 599- 628.
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out our Big T Trauma Series here: https://behindtheknife.org/podcast-series/big-t-trauma/

Aug 11, 2022 • 27min
Dominate the Match - Episode 2: "Choose Me"
Personal Statements and Letters of Recommendations- two things that can make or break any residency or fellowship application. Join our education fellow, Dr. Jessica Millar, Dr. David Hughes, and Dr. Gifty Kwakye as they discuss what makes a truly great personal statement and how to compile a strong team for your letters of recommendation.
Guests:
David Hughes, MD- Clinical Associate Professor of Endocrine Surgery, General Surgery Residency Program Director- University of Michigan
GIfty Kwakye, MD, MPH- Clinical Assistant Professor of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Surgical Clerkship Director- University of Michigan
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out our Medical Student and Intern Survival Guide here: https://behindtheknife.org/podcast-series/medical-student-and-intern-survival-guide/

Aug 8, 2022 • 22min
Dominate the Match - Episode 1: Meet the Match
It’s that time of year- when medical students across the country are preparing their residency applications. The process can be a bit daunting, and there have been a number of changes to process over the past few years. Join our education fellow, Dr. Jessica Millar, and Dr. David Hughes as they review the “nuts and bolts” of this year’s residency application cycle.
Guests:
David Hughes, MD- Clinical Associate Professor of Endocrine Surgery, General Surgery Residency Program Director- University of Michigan
Important Dates:
· June 8, 2022: ERAS application opens at 9 a.m. ET.
· August 1, 2022: Supplemental ERAS application opens for applicants.
· September 7, 2022: Residency applicants may begin submitting ERAS applications to programs at 9 a.m. ET.
· September 16, 2022: Supplemental ERAS application closes for applicants at 5 p.m. ET.
· September 28, 2022: Residency programs may begin reviewing ERAS applications, MSPEs, and supplemental ERAS application data at 9 a.m. ET.
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out our Medical Student and Intern Survival Guide here: https://behindtheknife.org/podcast-series/medical-student-and-intern-survival-guide/

Aug 4, 2022 • 21min
Common and Critical Intern Dilemmas Part 2 - Behind The Knife Medical Student and Intern Survival Guide
Bringing back an oldie but a goodie - Join Dr. Patrick Georgoff and Dr. Vahagn Nikolian as they discuss common and critical intern dilemmas. This episode is Part 2 of 2.
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out our entire Medical Student and Intern Survival Guide series here - https://behindtheknife.org/podcast-series/medical-student-and-intern-survival-guide/