General Surgery

The General Surgery course is designed for clinical phase medical students (4th–5th year) to provide a comprehensive understanding of surgical principles, patient assessment, operative techniques, perioperative care, and management of common surgical conditions. The course emphasizes integration of surgical knowledge with clinical practice, enabling students to evaluate, diagnose, and manage surgical patients, including trauma cases, emergencies, and elective procedures.

Students will acquire skills in preoperative assessment, postoperative care, wound management, minor surgical procedures, and operative techniques, with exposure to diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making in general surgery.

Practical and Clinical Training:

The course incorporates hands-on and clinical training in:

• Preoperative patient assessment and preparation
• Bedside surgical procedures and minor operations
• Suturing, knot-tying, and wound care
• Clinical case discussions and problem-based learning
• Exposure to operating room procedures, sterile technique, and intraoperative assistance
• Participation in surgical ward rounds, emergency cases, and multidisciplinary team meetings

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Understand the fundamental principles of surgery, asepsis, and operative techniques.
2. Perform comprehensive preoperative and postoperative patient assessment.
3. Manage common surgical emergencies and acute abdominal conditions.
4. Conduct minor surgical procedures, including suturing and wound care, safely.
5. Recognize indications for surgical intervention and referral.
6. Apply infection control, aseptic technique, and perioperative safety measures.
7. Collaborate effectively with surgical teams and other healthcare professionals for optimal patient care.

Key Topics Covered:

• Basic surgical principles: asepsis, wound healing, hemostasis, surgical instruments
• Trauma and critical care: ATLS, blunt/penetrating trauma, burns, soft tissue injuries
• Gastrointestinal surgery: appendicitis, cholecystitis, hernias, colorectal and upper GI disorders, liver/biliary/pancreatic surgery
• Endocrine and breast surgery: thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and breast disorders
• Vascular surgery: peripheral vascular diseases, aneurysms, varicose veins
• Pediatric surgery: congenital anomalies, neonatal surgical emergencies
• Surgical oncology: tumor resection principles, staging, multidisciplinary care
• Surgical emergencies and perioperative management

Recommended References:

• Schwartz’s Principles of Surgery
• Sabiston Textbook of Surgery
• Bailey & Love’s Short Practice of Surgery
• Oxford Handbook of Clinical Surgery
• UpToDate articles on common surgical procedures, emergencies, and perioperative care