

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

Mar 28, 2022 • 41min
Clinical Challenges in Thoracic Surgery: Esophageal Perforation
Thoughts of esophageal perforations keeping you up at night? Actual esophageal perforations keeping you up at night? Drs. Brian Louie, Peter White, and Megan Lenihan discuss both the tried-and-true and the cutting-edge management of this challenging problem.
Learning Objectives
- Understand basic principles of management
- Review differences in management based on different underlying pathology and location
- Learn indications and techniques for advanced endoscopic interventions for perforations
- Discuss nutrition planning
Referenced Material
- Thornblade LW, Cheng AM, Wood DE et al. A Nationwide Rise in the Use of Stents for Benign Esophageal Perforation. Ann Thorac Surg 2017; 104(1):227-233. DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2017.03.069
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.2017.03.069
- Watkins JR and Farivar AS. Endoluminal Therapies for Esophageal Perforations and Leaks. Thorac Surg Clin 2018; 28(4):541-554. DOI: 10.1016/j.thorsurg.2018.07.002
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thorsurg.2018.07.002
Please visit behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

46 snips
Mar 24, 2022 • 33min
BIG T Trauma Series Ep. 15 - ED Thoracotomy: The How
A trauma patient rolls into the bay. CPR started 10 minutes ago. They are pulseless, the entire trauma team is looking to you for leadership, and the thoracotomy tray is prepped and ready. Do you pick up the knife and cut?
Welcome back to the BIG T TRAUMA series. Join Drs. Patrick Georgoff, Teddy Puzio, and Jason Brill for a high-level discussion on the one surgical procedure that trumps them all – the ED thoracotomy. This is episode 2 of 2. In episode 1 we discussed who should get an ED thoracotomy. Today, we cover how to do it.
Please visit behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

37 snips
Mar 21, 2022 • 37min
BIG T Trauma Series Ep. 14 - ED Thoracotomy: The Who
A trauma patient rolls into the bay. CPR started 10 minutes ago. They are pulseless, the entire trauma team is looking to you for leadership, and the thoracotomy tray is prepped and ready. Do you pick up the knife and cut?
Welcome back to the BIG T TRAUMA series. Join Drs. Patrick Georgoff, Teddy Puzio, and Jason Brill for a high-level discussion on the one surgical procedure that trumps them all – the ED thoracotomy. This is episode 1 of 2. In episode 1 we discuss who should get an ED thoracotomy and in episode 2 we cover how to do it.
Listen to learn about the guidelines, signs of life, ultrasound, survival, and when NOT to do an ED thoracotomy.
EAST: https://www.east.org/education-career-development/practice-management-guidelines/details/emergency-department-thoracotomy
WTA: https://www.westerntrauma.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Resuscitative-Thoracotomy_FINAL.svg
WakeMed Blunt Pulseless Trauma Resuscitation Guideline: https://www.wakemed.org/sites/default/files/hg_features/mercury_standard_layout/031abaa9027e1685ad340ac8f662e86a.pdf
Please visit behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

Mar 17, 2022 • 24min
Journal Review in Surgical Critical Care: Sepsis Update
In the episode we will cover the following learning objectives:
· Listeners should be able to describe the evolution and changes in definitions sepsis over the past three decades
· Listeners should be familiar with the three randomized controlled trials that studies early-goal directed therapy
· Listeners should be able to describe the major changes in the new 2021 SCCM Sepsis Guidelines
· Listeners should be able to describe the fundamental principles of sepsis management in the ICU
References:
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1500896
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1404380
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1701380
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1401602
Please visit behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

Mar 14, 2022 • 44min
Clinical Challenges in Colorectal Surgery: Rectal Prolapse
You are seeing a young female patient in the clinic with rectal prolapse. When do you offer surgery? Does she get a perineal approach or a transabdominal approach? Open or minimally invasive? Mesh or no mesh? Sigmoid resection or no resection? Join Drs. Abelson, Marcello and Aulet as they take us through the wide world of rectal prolapse!
Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the difference between rectal prolapse and hemorrhoidal prolapse
2. List the different approaches to surgical management of rectal prolapse
3. Discuss the approach to recurrent rectal prolapse
Be sure to check out the associated video below.
Please visit behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

Mar 10, 2022 • 47min
Journal Review in Endocrine Surgery: The Great Debate of UCLA Endocrine Surgery
In this episode from the Endocrine Surgery team at BTK we go through three controversial topics in endocrine surgery and cite pertinent articles during a lively debate format. We debate the role of four-gland exploration versus focused exploration for parathyroid disease. Indications for parathyroidectomy are hotly contested. And finally, we discuss the role and relevance of using a nerve monitor. Tune in to see if Dr. Yeh and Dr. Wu remain collegiate after recording this episode…
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. Vivek Sant is an Endocrine Surgery Fellow at UCLA in his first year of fellowship
Dr. Rivfka Shenoy is a PGY-5 General Surgery Resident at UCLA who has completed two years of research
Dr. Max Schumm is a PGY-5 General Surgery Resident at UCLA who has completed two years of research. He is a future endocrine surgeon.
Important Papers
Norlén O, Wang KC, Tay YK, Johnson WR, Grodski S, Yeung M, Serpell J, Sidhu S, Sywak M, Delbridge L. No need to abandon focused parathyroidectomy: a multicenter study of long-term outcome after surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism. Ann Surg. 2015 May;261(5):991-6. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000000715. PMID: 25565223.
Schneider DF, Mazeh H, Sippel RS, Chen H. Is minimally invasive parathyroidectomy associated with greater recurrence compared to bilateral exploration? Analysis of more than 1,000 cases. Surgery. 2012 Dec;152(6):1008-15. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2012.08.022. Epub 2012 Oct 12. PMID: 23063313; PMCID: PMC3501613.
Jinih M, O'Connell E, O'Leary DP, Liew A, Redmond HP. Focused Versus Bilateral Parathyroid Exploration for Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Ann Surg Oncol. 2017 Jul;24(7):1924-1934. doi: 10.1245/s10434-016-5694-1. Epub 2016 Nov 28. PMID: 27896505.
Silverberg SJ, Shane E, Jacobs TP, Siris E, Bilezikian JP. A 10-year prospective study of primary hyperparathyroidism with or without parathyroid surgery. N Engl J Med. 1999 Oct 21;341(17):1249-55. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199910213411701. Erratum in: N Engl J Med 2000 Jan 13;342(2):144. PMID: 10528034.
Seib CD, Meng T, Suh I, Harris AHS, Covinsky KE, Shoback DM, Trickey AW, Kebebew E, Tamura MK. Risk of Fracture Among Older Adults With Primary Hyperparathyroidism Receiving Parathyroidectomy vs Nonoperative Management. JAMA Intern Med. 2022 Jan 1;182(1):10-18. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2021.6437. PMID: 34842909; PMCID: PMC8630642.
Yeh MW, Zhou H, Adams AL, Ituarte PH, Li N, Liu IL, Haigh PI. The Relationship of Parathyroidectomy and Bisphosphonates With Fracture Risk in Primary Hyperparathyroidism: An Observational Study. Ann Intern Med. 2016 Jun 7;164(11):715-23. doi: 10.7326/M15-1232. Epub 2016 Apr 5. PMID: 27043778.
Zanocco K, Butt Z, Kaltman D, Elaraj D, Cella D, Holl JL, Sturgeon C. Improvement in patient-reported physical and mental health after parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism. Surgery. 2015 Sep;158(3):837-45. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2015.03.054. Epub 2015 May 29. PMID: 26032828.
Barczyński M, Konturek A, Cichoń S. Randomized clinical trial of visualization versus neuromonitoring of recurrent laryngeal nerves during thyroidectomy. Br J Surg. 2009 Mar;96(3):240-6. doi: 10.1002/bjs.6417. PMID: 19177420.
Please visit behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

Mar 7, 2022 • 21min
BTK General Surgery Oral Board Review - Sample Episode 4 - Mesenteric Ischemia
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.

Mar 3, 2022 • 28min
BTK Vascular Surgery Oral Board Review Book - Sample Cases
The Vascular Surgery Oral Board Review Book has 60 of the highest yield scenarios that cover the majority of the VSCORE topics in an easy-to-read question and answer format that highlights the most important clinical concepts, concise procedural descriptions, and common surgical complications that everyone should know about the field of Vascular Surgery. Whether you are looking to excel on the wards or crush the boards, this book was created to help you Dominate the Day.
https://behindtheknife.org/premium/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578382296?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860
Please visit behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

Feb 28, 2022 • 20min
Clinical Challenges in Vascular Surgery: Endoleaks
With more and more EVAR comes more and more endoleaks. But when do they matter and what can/should we do about them? In this episode, we present a case of a stubborn endoleak and use the course to illustrate a simple path towards the management of endoleaks following endovascular aneurysm repair.
Dr. Nicholas Osborne is an Associate Professor of Vascular Surgery at the University of Michigan and the Chief of Vascular Surgery at the Ann Arbor Veteran’s Affairs Healthcare System.
Dr. Frank Davis is a Chief Resident in the Integrated Vascular Surgery program at the University of Michigan.
Dr. Craig Brown is a PGY-6 in the General Surgery program at the University of Michigan.
Guidelines around Endoleak Management
Society for Vascular Surgery Practice Guidelines on the Care of Patients with an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29268916/
Conservative Management of Type II Endoleaks:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25042332/
Please visit behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

Feb 24, 2022 • 21min
BTK General Surgery Oral Board Review - Sample Episode 3 - Thyroid Nodule
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.