About

COVID-19 has disrupted the academic progress and the preparatory timetable for many trainees who intend to appear for the MRCS OSCE examination this year. With the new dates now confirmed (October 2020) by the Intercollegiate Committee for Basic Surgical Examinations, many trainees would greatly benefit from a one-day preparatory coursewhich will kickstart their revision.

This course covers the 'knowledge component' that makes up 160 marks (8 stations) in the MRCS OSCE. It will cover the commonly tested and high-yield topics in anatomy, pathology, microbiology, physiology, and critical care. This course will provide a solid revision of knowledge and a sound transition from the MRCS Part A to the MRCS OSCE in October 2020.

The day is calculated to be equivalent to 30 hours of individual revision.

This attendance course is delivered to a small group of delegates and complies with the Health Authority and Government guidelines for social distancing and other appropriate measures.

The course will cover the following topics:

Anatomy:

• Brachial plexus and upper limb nerve injuries
• Shoulder and back
• Arm, ante-cubital fossa and forearm
• Wrist and hand
• Skull base, foramina and cranial nerves
• Circle of Willis and dural venous sinuses
• Autonomic nervous system
• Face, mandible and parotid gland
• Neck, larynx and pharynx
• Thorax, mediastinum, heart and lung
• Diaphragm
• Anterior abdominal wall, inguinal region and external genitalia
• Peritoneum, lesser sac, epiploic foramen and greater sac
• Small and large intestine
• Rectum, anal canal, pelvic floor and perineum
• Femoral triangle
• Gluteal region
• Adductor canal
• Popliteal fossa
• Lower leg, compartments, ankle and foot
• Lower limb nerve injuries
• Vascular anatomy of the neck, abdomen, and upper and lower limbs

Pathology and Microbiology:

• Basic pathology
• System-specific pathology
• Pathology definitions
• Tumour markers and metastasis
• Cancers of the testis
• Cancers of the thyroid
• Malignant melanoma
• Colorectal malignancies
• Cancer of the breast
• Cancers of the salivary glands
• Cutaneous malignancies
• Carcinoid tumour
• MEN syndromes
• Vascular pathologies
• Diverticular disease
• Bacteria and antibiotics
• Necrotising fasciitis
• Tuberculosis

Physiology and Critical Care:

• Management of lower limb trauma
• Management of fracture neck of femur
• Compartment syndrome
• Management of head injuries
• Flow of CSF and hydrocephalus
• Acid-base balance, tetany, metabolic alkalosis, paradoxical aciduria
• Calcium metabolism
• Endocrine physiology
• Renal physiology
• Types and classes of shock
• Management of burns
• Wound management
• Spinal cord lesions, cauda equina, conus medullaris syndrome

Teaching Format:

• OSCE questions
• OSCE discussion
• Anatomy images
• Data interpretation
• Pathology reports
• Slides and spotters