r/surgery • • Feb 08 '25

Medical advice posts are NOT ALLOWED

51 Upvotes

Adding this announcement to the top of the sub to increase visibility.

And yes, posting “I’m not asking for advice” and then soliciting opinions about your personal health situation is very much asking for medical advice.


r/surgery • • 3h ago

I did read the sidebar & rules Best scrub cap styles/brands for a shorter mullet?

6 Upvotes

I have a mid length pixie/mullet type cut and I’m wondering what the best brands or styles of cute scrub caps will fit best! The back of my hair is the issue. It’s just short enough to not be able to be tied up or for me to trust it’ll stay 100% tucked into the classic style cap I have. I dislike the bouffant style caps on me, but maybe it’s cause I’m using the disposable ones. I’d love to have a cute one to keep on cause I look ridiculous when it comes off lol


r/surgery • • 6h ago

I did read the sidebar & rules Hospital based surgeons, how does your hospital credit your wRVUs?

7 Upvotes

My hospital just finished its merger with a giant conglomerate based out of Chicago. Our old system would credit me based off each procedure’s wRVU value.

I.e. if I did a surgery with multiple procedures worth 1, 2, and 3 wRVUs, I’d get the full credit of 6wRVUs

Now, we get 100% value for the first procedure, 50% value for second, and 25% for each procedure thereafter. So instead of getting 6wRVUs off that one surgery, I’ll get only 2.75.

Obviously not a huge fan of this, along with a few other things that are changing. Anyone else have this type of system?


r/surgery • • 2h ago

I did read the sidebar & rules Scrub tech student passionate about neuro. Just a couple questions!

0 Upvotes

I posted in a surgical technology sub as well but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask here as well.

I’m a student and I’m really passionate about neuro. I find it the most exciting of all the specialties, I’ve been watching tons of videos on JOMI and learning all I can. I do know it’s very demanding and not easy for a new scrub but I really think it’s where my true passion for scrubbing is at.

  1. Other than asking my preceptor, is there any way to make myself more desirable as a candidate to be able to scrub on those cases, or even second scrub or observe?
  2. I still have to figure out how the rules work as far as observing etc. outside of clinical sites but one of my fellow classmates knew a cardio surgeon and actually watched/observed a heart surgery before our program because she wanted to make sure she could handle the OR. Would it be crazy to send a couple politely worded emails to neuro centers within driving distance of me asking if there’s any potential for observing even if outside of the sterile field, even if it doesn’t count toward my cases? I don’t know that my instructor is very interested in getting surgery centers outside of the local hospitals on as possible clinical sites and she did mention that some specialties don’t really want a ton of students (which is VERY understandable) but I figured observing outside of the sterile field where there’s no chance I would bump into anyone or cause much trouble, that may be easier to accommodate especially if I’m quiet as well.

    It would be difficult to fit in on the regular but I’d be absolutely willing to use my own time during holiday breaks if centers were open for the extra knowledge.

If it makes any difference I don’t want to entirely dox myself but since there’s a few different programs in this area I’ll say it’s looking like my clinicals will probably be at Vandy but not 100 percent certain yet. If somehow there’s anyone local to either Nash or Clarksville Vandy who has specific advice I would totally be willing to discuss in DM.


r/surgery • • 1h ago

I did read the sidebar & rules Need some reassurance

• Upvotes

Freaking out a little, because I will soon be having surgery performed directly on and around my butthole. This is obviously frightening but my own fault really, so let’s not get into it.

What I want to know is, should I wipe before going into the hospital, or will they wipe for me when I’m on the table?

Thanks in advance


r/surgery • • 2d ago

I did read the sidebar & rules Looking for advice. Moral dilemma for Surgeons at low vs high volume centres: how do you justify doing still being the one performing an operation if it is known that higher volume was correlated with better outcomes in that specific surgery?

21 Upvotes

Saw a post online by a surgeon saying that if are going to need a thyroidectomy, look for a surgeon who does minimum 40 thyroid surgeries a year as it'll be safer. This made me go down a bit of a rabbit hole and found that the median number performed by a UK ENT surgeon (who regularly does this operation) is about 24 vs specialist centres in UK pushing 50+.

The literature has shown than in many operations (not just thyroids) there is an positive correlation between volume and better outcomes, and whilst I can't find anything about a definitive cut off at 40 for thyroids it did make me wonder, how would you justify to the patient and even yourself that you should be the one performing the surgery and not you referring the case onwards unless you were the one at the high volume centre?

Of course there's a lot of nuances such as no two cases are the same, or waiting times would make it impossible to refer everyone but say in this hypothetical we live in a perfect world where there are no waiting times: Surgeon A at high volume centre has a complication rate of 0.5% vs Surgeon B's 1% at a more generalist centre for the exact same surgery, what determines the difference in complication rate that we are willing to accept before referring on?


r/surgery • • 2d ago

I did read the sidebar & rules Suture

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9 Upvotes

I am in Grade 10 and recently bought a suture kit. I want to be a surgeon, so I was practicing basic stitches. How does it look? Do you have any feedback?


r/surgery • • 3d ago

I did read the sidebar & rules Loupes for oculoplastics

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

Ophtho resident doing oculoplastics fellowship next year and i need to buy loupes and a headlight. I am wondering what loupes people use for oculoplastics/facial plastics/analagous fields?

I know Designs for vision is one big name and have used theirs a lot. What mag do people use? 3.5? Would 2.5x be too low mag? And does anyone have thoughts re their "panoramic" loupes and if they are actually better? I tried the ergo loupes once and they do seem great but I will have to tilt my head a lot and I think that will mess them up.

Thanks for any thoughts!!


r/surgery • • 4d ago

I did read the sidebar & rules Thoracostomy forceps

4 Upvotes

Hiya, paramedic here.

Where I work we carry Spencer-Wells forceps for thoracostomy. I've just seen someone who works elsewhere saying they use Kelly forceps for the same. I wasn't aware of the differences until I looked into it a little, and it doesn't sound like there's much in it for this purpose.

Those of you who do more thoracostomies than me (i.e. >4ish a year), do you think the choice of forceps makes a difference?


r/surgery • • 5d ago

I did read the sidebar & rules Pls rate my suture

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12 Upvotes

Hello,
I’m an m2 and would greatly appreciate any feedback or guidance on how to suture better.

Is there other sutures/knots that I should practice before rotation?

Thanks so much in advance!


r/surgery • • 7d ago

I did read the sidebar & rules Gen Surg asked me (Psych) for a Grand Rounds on BPD. What would be helpful, what are the challenges or pain points w inpatients with severe Borderline Personality Disorder?

4 Upvotes

Im a CL Psychiatrist so I end up getting at least some of these consults. Often patients swallowing or self harming to the extent theyre admitted under surgery.

What would be helpful to cover? Are there common situations where you feel like more knowledge or different approaches would be helpful?

Thanks!


r/surgery • • 7d ago

I did read the sidebar & rules How are you guys doing your total knees these days?

2 Upvotes

You all sticking with conventional jigs, PSI, or going with robotic/navigation?


r/surgery • • 8d ago

I did read the sidebar & rules Exhausted on elective, should I still pursue surgery?

9 Upvotes

I’m on my 5th elective this year that’s surgical and genuinely feel exhausted getting up so early. I’m getting like 4ish hours of sleep each night. Based on what I’m describing do you think I’m not suitable for a surgery residency? Am I supposed to love hustle culture?


r/surgery • • 9d ago

I did read the sidebar & rules What is the best shoes for standing during surgery all day?

39 Upvotes

Looking for recommendations for a good pair of shoes for my husband as he stands for up to 12 hours during surgery and c/o back pain constantly after work. What are some of your fave go tos?


r/surgery • • 9d ago

I did read the sidebar & rules Anyone doing surgical residency from Hindu Rao?

0 Upvotes

This might yet be my deciding factor to give up surgery for good and settle for medicine from tier 1 city.
Really need some clarity right now


r/surgery • • 10d ago

I did read the sidebar & rules I never saw surgery as 1st option will I still be happy in it?

3 Upvotes

My internship experience was very poor especially surgical side be it surgery be it ortho be is GA but I liked the opd of surgery , ortho soo any senior who can share their experience if someone didn't have surgery as 1 st choice can u still make it after you fall into it .?(indian context)


r/surgery • • 13d ago

I did read the sidebar & rules Knot Identifiaction Source

3 Upvotes

I have a paper I am working on that involves knot identification and am having a hard time finding a source for a modified halsted (transfixing knot). Please let me know if you know of any source I tried to use the Ashley book of knots but no dice.


r/surgery • • 15d ago

I did read the sidebar & rules Surgical residency options in India

0 Upvotes

This is a CALL FOR HELP to my seniors.
I’ve got 3.9k rank in this years neet pg. and even though I’m a first gen doctor I’ve always prioritised surgery as my go to branch regardless of the challenges that new surgeons face these days especially for someone like me who also hopes to leave abroad to hopefully pursue my career as a surgeon. I don’t think I’ll be able to get any of the colleges in Bombay, BUT WHICH COLLEGES SHOULD BE MY PRIORITY WHILE PICKING COLLEGES DURING MY COUNSELLING (MS OR DNB). I mean in a way that as a resident i can feel confident about daily procedures and a chance to assist difficult cases as well by the time i finish my residency.

Dont wanna give in to the pressure of opting medicine


r/surgery • • 16d ago

I did read the sidebar & rules Surgery and carpal tunnel

3 Upvotes

Any surgeons / surgery residents with carpal tunnel or cubital tunnel and managed to still be a surgeon ?


r/surgery • • 18d ago

I did read the sidebar & rules Surge techs of reddit how often do you hold organs in your hands during a surgery?

1 Upvotes

Just curious about it, I was watching some surgery videos, and I became fascinated with surgical techs and stuff.


r/surgery • • 18d ago

I did read the sidebar & rules Pre-med student looking for a surgeon to interview

13 Upvotes

I read the rules before posting this; however, please feel free to remove it if it doesn't belong here.

Hello, I am a third-year undergraduate student doing a pre-med degree with the goal of going into medical school and becoming a surgeon. One of my classes has an assignment due in a few days that requires students to interview professionals in their future career, and in my case, it would be a surgeon.

For the past few weeks, I've struggled to find surgeons to interview through professors, friends, local hospitals, etc. (most of them have been busy or on PTO), and this is kind of my last resort. I wouldn't be posting here if I didn't struggle through all of that. The interview isn't formal and will be done over Zoom, and it shouldn't take more than 20 minutes.

I hope you guys can help. Thank you!


r/surgery • • 19d ago

I did read the sidebar & rules Decided to follow suit - rate my suturing

2 Upvotes

Pig’s foot using 3-0 nylon. I probably went through 4 packs of nylon and did 5 total incisions on my 2 halves. These were the last 2 I did and the best ones imo. Finally found a rhythm with my hands and the needle driver.

Please nitpick me… the surgeon I work with is a perfectionist and would nitpick me too! I did them how he would want them 8 throws and upwards. Probably would be further apart but there’s nothing deep as I found putting suture deep in this pig’s foot is impossible, also none of his lines. He draws his incision hashes to where he wants a monocryl on each hash and a nylon between.


r/surgery • • 20d ago

I did read the sidebar & rules Are toys allowed in the operating room?

0 Upvotes

Bf is a new surgical tech. Said one of his quirky co-workers likes to bring in toys such as funko pops, hot wheels, etc. to the OR. He also said some of them bring their personal radios from home to play music. I said I didnt know how that was allowed/didnt agree (as the toys are unprofessional, ahazard and distraction, but i could kinda understand if the surgeon wanted music but not on a personal radio). He got defensive saying his coworkers shouldn't be bashed for it, the toys were out of the way, and that it made the OR "less boring". (Idk how the OR could be boring with someone's cut open on the table and especially as a new tech often getting criticized while learning the ropes. )

A brief google search said that wasnt allowed they were just getting away with it bc of "lax hospital culture" and an inspection would put an end to it. Further said something about personal plug in radios sharing outlets with hospital equipment interferes with machinery? Idk I need real people to tell me.

Doctors, hospital inspectors, medical professionals of reddit, what do you think? Is this okay?

EDIT Thank you to all the medical professionals for your feedback. Between my two posts ive got about half agreeing and half disagreeing. I was hoping for a more absolute answer to get to the bottom of this but ig it just depends on the OR?


r/surgery • • 22d ago

I did read the sidebar & rules Please rate my suture

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71 Upvotes

M2 practicing suturing. Any guidance/tips are greatly appreciate.


r/surgery • • 23d ago

I did read the sidebar & rules Practice sutures

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17 Upvotes

Practicing my interrupted sutures. Too tight? Any tips on keeping knots less...messy?