Surgery Shelf Prep!

Colonic volvulus can go from “constipated and uncomfortable” to “ruptured and crashing” fast. If you cannot instantly tell sigmoid from cecal and know the next best step, the shelf will absolutely punish you.In this episode, Chris and Mars walk through the two big volvulus patterns you must recognize: the elderly, constipated nursing home patient with sigmoid volvulus, and the younger patient with a mobile cecum and acute onset pain from cecal volvulus. You will learn how to use demographics, imaging, and clinical stability to jump straight to the correct management pathway without getting lost in low-yield details.Perfect for medical students prepping for the surgery shelf or Step 2, this episode focuses on pattern recognition, triage, and clean algorithms you can apply instantly on questions and on the wards.

Rectal cancer is where anatomy, oncology, and surgical decision-making all collide. In this episode, learn when to order pelvic MRI, when to give neoadjuvant chemoradiation, and when to choose Low Anterior Resection versus Abdominoperineal Resection.Listen as Chris and Mars walk you through rectal cancer from first symptom to definitive surgery, with a tight focus on staging, local control, and those “next best step” questions that separate a passing score from a surgery shelf master.

Colon cancer is one of the highest-yield topics on the Surgery Shelf and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge – and one of the easiest places to lose points on subtle traps. This episode walks you through exactly how exam writers expect you to think, so you can move faster and more confidently on test day.In this episode, Chris and Mars break down colon cancer from the ground up: how it presents, how to work it up, when to operate, and how to avoid the sneaky pitfalls that separate pass from honors. You will finally lock in the difference between right-sided and left-sided colon cancers (think anemia versus obstruction), understand why Streptococcus bovis bacteremia is never “just” endocarditis, and remember when CEA actually matters.If you want colon cancer questions to feel automatic instead of stressful, this episode is your playbook. Listen in, review the algorithms, and get ready to crush every colon cancer vignette that shows up on your Surgery Shelf.

Ischemic colitis is one of the highest-yield gastrointestinal emergencies on the Surgery Shelf — and if you don’t know how to spot it fast, you’ll miss the diagnosis both on exams and in real life.In this episode, Chris and Mars break down everything you need to recognize, diagnose, and manage ischemic colitis with complete confidence. From classic elderly patients with low-flow states to the watershed zones most vulnerable to hypoperfusion, this is the episode that turns a tricky vascular–GI crossover topic into an easy win.A low-flow state doesn’t have to mean a low score. Listen in and dominate this high-yield topic with Chris and Mars.

Diverticulitis is one of those “can’t-miss” shelf exam topics that shows up again and again — and this episode breaks it all down so you’ll never confuse uncomplicated inflammation with a life-threatening perforation.Chris and Mars walk through classic patient presentations, imaging pitfalls, and management strategies — from outpatient antibiotics to emergent surgery. You’ll also learn how to master the Hinchey classification, spot a colovesical fistula, and avoid the biggest test traps that trip students up.Perfect for med students prepping for the Surgery Shelf or Step 2, this episode delivers the pearls you need — fast, focused, and high-yield.

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis and Lynch Syndrome (Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer) — two hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes that look similar at first glance but couldn’t be more different when it comes to genetics, screening, and surgical management.In this episode, Chris and Mars walk you through how to instantly spot the differences on exam questions and in real-life surgical decision-making. These syndromes love to show up on the Surgery Shelf and Step 2, and mastering them means knowing the genes, the patterns, and the procedures cold.Hit play and lock this one in — it’s guaranteed to show up on your shelf exam and in the OR. Join Chris and Mars for another round of Surgery Shelf Prep!

Ulcerative Colitis loves to test your nerves — and your shelf knowledge. Continuous inflammation, rectal involvement, and surgical decision-making make this topic a guaranteed favorite on the Surgery Shelf.In this episode, Chris and Mars walk through everything you need to crush Ulcerative Colitis questions — from recognizing the hallmark presentation to knowing exactly when surgery becomes life-saving.Don’t let UC trip you up. Hit play, review your shelf pearls, and get ready to dominate your next surgery block with Chris and Mars on Surgery Shelf Prep!

Crohn’s Disease doesn’t play fair — it’s chronic, sneaky, and full-thickness. From skip lesions to fistulas, this disease hits every level of the gut, and it’s a shelf favorite.In this episode, Chris and Mars break down everything you need to crush Crohn’s questions on your Surgery Shelf exam. They cover classic presentations, key diagnostic clues, medical and surgical management, and the can’t-miss complications that show up again and again in question stems.You’ll learn how to: ✅ Recognize high-yield findings like cobblestoning, skip lesions, and non-caseating granulomas ✅ Differentiate Crohn’s from ulcerative colitis based on distribution, depth, and smoking effects ✅ Approach medical therapy — when to use steroids, immunomodulators, and biologics ✅ Manage abscesses, strictures, and fistulas with surgical precision ✅ Avoid common traps like giving steroids before ruling out an abscessPerfect for med students prepping for the Surgery Shelf — and for anyone who wants to master the fundamentals of Crohn’s Disease like a future surgeon.

Peri-operative anticoagulation, simplified. Chris and Mars hit the must-know hold times, monitoring, and reversals for Unfractionated Heparin and Low Molecular Weight Heparin (including partial protamine), warfarin (four factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate plus intravenous vitamin K), and the direct oral anticoagulants (andexanet for factor ten A inhibitors, idarucizumab for dabigatran). They also cover when to continue aspirin, how to pause P2Y12 agents around recent stents, and key neuraxial anesthesia timing red flags. Perfect quick refresher for pre-op huddles and shelf questions.

Bleeding disorders are a classic shelf trap—know how to tell them apart or risk losing easy points.In this episode, Chris and Mars tackle three must-know causes of abnormal bleeding: Von Willebrand Disease, Hemophilia A, and Uremic Platelet Dysfunction. You’ll learn their hallmark presentations, the diagnostic clues that separate them, and the treatments that save patients and score points on test day.We break down:Why mucocutaneous bleeding plus family history screams vWDHow to use a mixing study to nail Hemophilia AWhy uremic patients bleed despite normal labsWhen DDAVP is the right move—and when it isn’tWhy platelet transfusions don’t help in renal failurePerfect for med students prepping for the surgery shelf—this one locks in the essentials so you won’t miss on exam day.

Phosphorus doesn’t always get the spotlight—but on test day, it’s a game changer. From energy metabolism to bone health, imbalances can wreck patients and trip you up on the shelf.In this episode, Chris and Mars break down the most high-yield phosphorus scenarios you need to master: Refeeding Syndrome, DKA after insulin therapy, Hungry Bone Syndrome, antacid and binder use, Fanconi syndrome, CKD-related hyperphosphatemia, tumor lysis syndrome, and post-thyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism. You’ll learn the classic presentations, the underlying pathophysiology, and the treatment pearls that show up again and again.We cover:Why refeeding syndrome causes a dangerous phosphate crashHow insulin in DKA unmasks total body phosphate depletionThe difference between Hungry Bone Syndrome and surgical hypoparathyroidismKey pitfalls of antacids and phosphate bindersWhat to do when CKD or tumor lysis drives phosphate dangerously highPerfect for med students gearing up for the surgery shelf—this one locks in both the physiology and the test-day clues.

Magnesium derangements are sneaky but high-yield! In this episode, Chris and Mars break down hypomagnesemia and hypermagnesemia across classic scenarios you’ll see on the wards and on exams. Learn why magnesium is the key to fixing refractory hypokalemia and hypocalcemia, how alcohol, PPIs, and refeeding syndrome trigger dangerous lows, and why CKD patients with laxatives or OB patients on mag drips can tip into life-threatening highs. We cover exam-ready pearls like Torsades treatment, reflex monitoring, and safe bowel prep alternatives.Perfect for med students prepping for the surgery shelf—don’t miss this one!

Calcium disorders can flip a patient’s physiology upside down — and your shelf score with it. From post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia to malignancy-induced hypercalcemia, these electrolyte shifts demand quick recognition and targeted management.In this episode, Chris and Mars break down everything you need to know about hypocalcemia and hypercalcemia for your surgery shelf. You’ll learn how to recognize key signs, connect them to the underlying physiology, and avoid the treatment traps that love to appear in exam vignettes.We cover: ✅ Why ionized calcium is the only number you can truly trust ✅ The post-op red flags for hypoparathyroidism ✅ Citrate toxicity during massive transfusion — when to check, when to treat ✅ How hypomagnesemia sabotages your calcium correction ✅ When to withhold calcium in tumor lysis syndrome ✅ The “stones, bones, groans, and psychiatric overtones” of primary hyperparathyroidism ✅ Rapid-onset inpatient hypercalcemia from malignancy and how to bridge with calcitonin ✅ ECG changes that give away calcium derangementsPerfect for medical students prepping for the surgery shelf, and for anyone who wants to lock in their electrolyte game. This one is packed with pathophysiology, shelf tips, and clinical pearls you can use on rounds tomorrow.

Potassium disturbances can make or break your shelf exam performance—and your patient’s outcome. Whether it’s a sneaky NG tube–induced hypokalemia or a burn patient at risk for fatal hyperkalemia, knowing the patterns, EKG changes, and pitfalls is non-negotiable.In this high-yield episode, Chris and Mars break down hypokalemia and hyperkalemia from the ground up, covering GI losses, Conn syndrome, hypomagnesemia, renal failure, trauma, adrenal insufficiency, pseudohyperkalemia, and tumor lysis syndrome. You’ll learn when to act fast, how to avoid common traps, and why magnesium is the unsung hero of potassium management.We cover: • How chloride-responsive alkalosis clues you in to GI loss–related hypokalemia • The EKG giveaways for both high and low potassium states • Why correcting magnesium is step zero in refractory hypokalemia • First-line cardiac stabilization in hyperkalemia with EKG changes • The 24-hour succinylcholine rule in burn and trauma patientsPerfect for med students prepping for the surgery shelf, wards, or boards—this one’s packed with exam-ready pearls and life-saving takeaways.

Electrolyte imbalances can make or break your management on the wards and in the OR. Sodium, the OG electrolyte, has a way of testing your knowledge under pressure—whether it’s hyponatremia in a trauma patient or hypernatremia in the ICU.In this high-yield episode, Chris and Mars break down everything you need to know about sodium disorders for the surgery shelf exam. From differentiating Cerebral Salt Wasting from Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone to decoding Diabetes Insipidus, they cover the pathophysiology, diagnostic pearls, and life-saving treatment strategies—plus the critical correction rates you can’t afford to forget.We cover: ✅ How to tell Cerebral Salt Wasting from Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone using volume status ✅ The sodium correction rules to avoid osmotic demyelination syndrome and cerebral edema ✅ Thiazide diuretic hyponatremia and why restarting them is a trap ✅ Pseudo-hyponatremia in hyperglycemia and how to calculate the corrected sodium ✅ Central vs. Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus, the DDAVP test, and targeted treatmentsPerfect for med students prepping for the shelf, surgery residents sharpening their inpatient management, and anyone who wants to avoid dangerous sodium correction pitfalls.

High-voltage shocks and lightning strikes are devastating—but the hidden muscle damage, lethal arrhythmias, and silent toxins offer a chance to make a difference in a patient's life. In this high-yield episode, Chris and Mars break down the full spectrum of electrical and thermal trauma you need to know cold for test day. From the iceberg effect of high-voltage contact burns to the sneaky labial artery bleed in a toddler’s mouth, they cover recognition, work-up, management, and—most importantly—the classic traps. You’ll also learn the must-know formulas, drug mechanisms, and airway decisions to save lives.Key TakeawaysHigh-voltage contact burns: tiny entry wounds can hide massive deep muscle necrosis; aggressive fluids and urine alkalinization prevent renal failure.Low-voltage oral burns: always warn caregivers about a delayed day 5–10 labial artery hemorrhage.Lightning strikes: treat apnea first; cardiac rhythm often restarts spontaneously.Electrical-induced arrhythmias: anyone with loss of consciousness or high-voltage exposure needs 24-hour telemetry—even if the first ECG looks normal.Rhabdomyolysis: start large-volume crystalloids and bicarbonate immediately; never wait for a creatine kinase value.Compartment syndrome: delta pressure under 30 mm Hg demands prompt two-incision fasciotomy; distal pulses do not rule it out.Escharotomy: circumferential chest burns with rising peak airway pressures require mid-axillary incisions before distal ischemia sets in.Inhalation injury: facial burns plus carbonaceous sputum mean early endotracheal intubation and fiber-optic bronchoscopy within 24 hours.Parkland formula: 4 mL × weight (kg) × %TBSA; give half in the first 8 hours, half in the next 16.Carbon monoxide and cyanide: pulse oximetry is useless; get carboxyhemoglobin levels and treat cyanide with hydroxocobalamin, not sodium nitrite, in smoke inhalation cases.Perfect for med students who want to lock in the algorithms, avoid shelf traps, and feel ready for any shock—literal or figurative—that comes their way. Tune in, review your ABCs, and crush those burn and electrical injury questions.

Compartment pressure can rise fast—and a missed diagnosis means muscle death. Meanwhile, crushed muscle spills toxins into the bloodstream, and a long-bone fracture can shower fat into the lungs before anyone blinks.In this episode, Chris and Mars unpack three orthopedic trauma syndromes every surgery clerk must spot instantly: Compartment Syndrome, Rhabdomyolysis, and Fat Embolism Syndrome. You’ll learn to recognize hallmark presentations, understand the pathophysiology that makes each condition dangerous, and nail the definitive management steps that keep patients alive and limbs intact.We break down:How “pain out of proportion” and “pain on passive stretch” trump pulses in diagnosing Compartment SyndromeWhy prompt fasciotomy—every compartment, every time—is the only correct answerThe mechanism behind myoglobin-induced renal failure in Rhabdomyolysis and why a dipstick that’s positive for blood without red cells is the giveawayKey contraindications to succinylcholine, including large burns and spinal injuries, because of hyperkalemia riskThe classic triad of Fat Embolism Syndrome—hypoxia, confusion, petechiae—and the supportive care that saves livesPerfect for med students gearing up for the surgery shelf—and anyone who never wants to miss a limb- or life-threatening complication.Hit play, keep those high-yield facts fresh, and get ready to dominate your ortho trauma questions!

One yank of a toddler’s arm or a split-second dashboard hit can spell disaster for tiny nerves and big joints. Don’t let routine-looking fractures and dislocations blindside you on exam day—or in the trauma bay.In this episode, Chris and Mars break down four classic musculoskeletal injuries that love to show up on the shelf: mid-shaft clavicle fractures with Erb palsy, Nursemaid’s Elbow, posterior hip dislocations, and anterior hip dislocations. You’ll learn how to spot the tell-tale limb positions, understand the underlying nerve jeopardy, and master the swift interventions that save function (and medico-legal headaches).We cover: ✅ Why more than 2 cm of clavicle shortening flips the switch from sling to surgery ✅ The “waiter’s-tip” arm and other neonate red flags you cannot ignore ✅ Hyper-pronation vs. supination-flexion—when each reduction trick shines for Nursemaid’s Elbow ✅ The six-hour clock that decides sciatic-nerve fate in posterior hip dislocation ✅ How a palpable femoral head in the groin separates anterior dislocation from neck fracture ✅ Hidden vascular threats—subclavian and femoral—and the imaging that finds them fast ✅ High-yield pitfalls: tight figure-eight braces, unnecessary X-rays, skipped nerve exams, and delayed reductionsPerfect for medical students prepping for the surgery shelf—or anyone who wants to keep nerves intact through the chaos of trauma care.Hit play, lock in those limb positions, and get ready to ace your next musculoskeletal question set!

Nerve injuries love to hide behind broken bones—and if you miss them, the consequences can be devastating. Make sure a wrist-drop or badge-patch numbness never slips past you again.In this upbeat episode, Chris and Mars dissect three fracture-related nerve injuries that show up again and again on the surgery shelf (and in real life): axillary nerve palsy with proximal humerus fractures, radial nerve palsy with mid-shaft humerus fractures, and ulnar nerve palsy with distal humerus or medial epicondyle fractures. You’ll hear classic presentations, learn the anatomic “why,” and lock in the key diagnostic steps and treatment pitfalls that separate pass from honors.We coverHow badge-patch numbness and loss of shoulder abduction point straight to an axillary nerve hitWhy spiral mid-shaft fractures set the stage for radial nerve laceration and wrist-dropThe tell-tale numbness in the ring and pinky fingers that flags an ulnar nerve injury—and how claw hand developsEssential pre- and post-reduction neuro exams that protect patients (and you) from iatrogenic palsy claimsCasting and positioning mistakes that can turn a stable fracture into a nerve disasterPerfect for med students prepping for the shelf—or anyone who never wants to miss a hidden nerve injury on call. Press play, run those neuro checks, and keep climbing toward surgical mastery!

Pelvic trauma can wreck more than bones—it can shred urethras, pop bladders, and crank intra-abdominal pressure past the danger zone. Don’t let hidden hematuria, missed CT cystograms, or a tight fascial closure sink your patient—or your shelf score.In this episode, Chris and Mars break down three abdominal trauma heavy-hitters you absolutely can’t miss on exam day:Pelvic Fracture Urethral Injuries (PFUI): classic findings, why a retrograde urethrogram beats a “blind” Foley every time, and timing for suprapubic diversion versus delayed urethroplastyBladder Ruptures: extraperitoneal versus intraperitoneal mechanisms, CT cystogram technique, and how treatment flips from catheter drainage to mandatory OR repairAbdominal Compartment Syndrome: spotting the lethal triad, measuring bladder pressure the right way, and damage-control laparotomy tricks to prevent rebound compartment syndromeYou’ll lock in:Key anatomy and pathophysiology that explain each injury patternShelf-level imaging pearls—including the must-know 350 mL contrast rule for CT cystogramsStep-by-step management algorithms and common pitfalls that trip up traineesFive rapid-fire, high-yield facts to cement the take-aways before sign-offPerfect for med students gearing up for the surgery shelf—and for anyone who wants to keep their trauma reflexes razor sharp. Hit play, review your ABCs, and get ready to dominate those abdominal-trauma questions!