Surgery

Anesthesiology Elective (SUR 618)

Prerequisite

Junior Surgery Clerkship (SUR 608)

Objectives

Upon completion of the elective the student should

  • Demonstrate improved skill in airway management
  • Understand the pre-operative evaluation and preparation of the surgical patient
  • Have an increased understanding of critical care physiology and pharmacology
  • Have gained practical experience with invasive hemodynamic monitoring
  • Understand the basic approach to the administration of a general anesthetic

This elective offers individualized teaching in the pre-operative and post-operative methods of assessment and management of patients undergoing anesthesia prior to surgery.

Cardiothoracic Surgery Elective (SUR 619A)

Prerequisite

Junior Surgery Clerkship (SUR 608)

Objectives

Upon completion of the elective the student should

  • Be familiar with the management of patients in a cardiac surgical intensive care setting
  • Understand the approach to the pre-operative evaluation and preparation of a patient for cardiac surgery
  • Have increased knowledge of cardiac and pulmonary physiology
  • Have gained practical experience with invasive hemodynamic monitoring

This elective is designed to familiarize the student with the basic principles and techniques of cardiovascular surgery. Cardiac and pulmonary physiology are strongly emphasized and students receive extensive exposure to the cardiac surgical intensive care unit.

Neurosurgery Elective (SUR 614)

Prerequisite

Junior Surgery Clerkship (SUR 608)

Objectives

Upon completion of the elective the student should

  • Be familiar with the pre-operative and post-operative management of the neurosurgical patient
  • Be familiar with the basic approach to neurosurgical emergencies
  • Have an increased understanding of clinical neuroanatomy and the pathophysiology of brain injury

This elective is designed to acquaint the student with the broad scope of neurosurgery. Students are exposed to a large volume of patients including neurosurgical emergencies, neurosurgical trauma, and elective neurosurgical problems. Students have the opportunity to assist with a variety of procedures.

Orthopaedic Surgery Elective (SUR 613)

Prerequisite

Junior Surgery Clerkship (SUR 608)

Objectives

Upon completion of the elective the student should

  • Recognize the steps in the evaluation and management of common orthopaedic problems in an outpatient setting
  • Demonstrate improved skill in the management of hospitalized patients including operative management
  • Demonstrate improved skill in the management of emergency room orthopaedic problems including fracture reduction, soft tissue care

The Department of Orthopaedics has a very active teaching-oriented faculty and students are exposed to a large volume of inpatient and outpatient cases. Didactic teaching includes grand rounds, basic science, clinical correlation and anatomical dissection. Clinic exposure is available in pediatric and adult orthopaedics, hand, and scoliosis. Students are supervised by a resident and the orthopaedic teaching staff.

A student presentation is expected.

Pediatric Surgery Elective (SUR 619B)

Prerequisite

Junior Surgery Clerkship (SUR 608)

Fourth Year Medical Student

Objectives

Upon completion of the elective the student should

  • Develop understanding of the most common pediatric surgical conditions with regard to: presenting features, pre, intra and post-operative management and decision making, emergent nature, common associated conditions and anomalies
  • Become familiar with the general concepts of : routine management of the pediatric surgical inpatient, wound care, postoperative issues and surgical critical care
  • Be able to describe issues concerning: difficulties facing the pediatric surgical patient and their families, controversies in pediatric surgery, newer technologies and therapies for surgical conditions

The student will function in an intense inpatient and outpatient pediatric surgical setting. While participating in surgical cases the student will be able to discuss the nature of the procedure, likely postoperative course and potential complications as well as recognize the difficulties in the evaluation and subsequent management of complicated congenital abnormalities. Students will learn the role of generalists and subspecialists in the care of the pediatric surgical patient.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Elective (SUR 610)

Prerequisite

Junior Surgery Clerkship (SUR 608)

Objectives

Upon completion of this elective the student should

  • Be familiar with the broad scope of plastic and reconstructive surgery
  • Understand the basic pre-operative and post-operative approach to the evaluation and management of patients requiring functional, reconstructive and cosmetic procedures
  • Have an increased understanding of the role of the plastic surgeon in the management of injury

Students have the opportunity to see a large volume of patients in the outpatient setting. The medical student is expected to perform the pre-operative workup on selected surgical admissions, assist the surgical team and follow patients post-operatively.

Senior Surgery Subinternship Elective (SUR 612)

Prerequisite

Junior Surgery Clerkship (SUR 608)

Objectives

Upon completion of the elective the student should

  • Understand the approach to the preoperative and postoperative management of the surgical patient
  • Have an increased understanding of the pathophysiology of surgical disease
  • Have an increased understanding of ambulatory surgical care
  • Develop greater experience and independance managing the surgical patient

This elective is designed to familiarize the student with a broad range of surgery including trauma, nutrition, critical care, GI, endocrine, breast, oncology, and vascular procedures. The pathophysiology, pre-operative evaluation and post-operative management of problems are stressed.

Trauma + Critical Care/Nutrition Surgery Elective (SUR 617)

Prerequisite

Junior Surgery Clerkship (SUR 608)

Limited Availability

Objectives

Upon completion of the elective the student should

  • Have an increased understanding of critical care medicine and surgery
  • Be familiar with the ATLS approach to the pre-operative and post-operative management of the trauma patient
  • Have an increased understanding of the pathophysiology of acute injury, surgical stress, shock, infection, and surgical complications common to patients sustaining acute injury and/or requiring surgical intensive care management
  • Be exposed to the management of the patient requiring mechanical ventilation

This elective is designed to provide the student with an in-depth exposure to the management of trauma patients. Students assist in the resuscitation, surgical treatment, and post-operative management of patients sustaining acute injury and trauma. The experience includes substantial involvement in the treatment of patients in an intensive care setting. Weekly conferences supplement daily teaching. This elective includes long hours and a very rewarding clinical experience.