Department of Surgery
Hutchinson Building, 8th Floor
SL 22
(504) 988-3909
(504) 988-1882 fax
DESCRIPTION:
The General Surgery rotation is primarily an inpatient-based experience
designed to familiarize the student with acute and elective surgical decision making processes
(see Goals & Objectives) However, to the extent that much of the preoperative and postoperative
management is now carried out in the outpatient setting, students will as well be expected to
participate in this phase of care.
A team of surgery house officers and at least one attending surgeon-preceptor will staff each
General Surgery service, on which medical students will rotate. These personnel will provide
ample opportunities for “on the job” experience relative to the discipline of Medicine in general
and surgery in particular.
During the course of the General Surgery rotation, you are to keep a concise log of all patients for
whom you were given primarily responsibility. Specific data to be recorded are: primary
diagnosis, whether management occurred on an inpatient or outpatient basis, operation (if any),
and complications.
HOSPITAL SITES:
University, Ochsner, TMC, OLOL in Baton Rouge and Lakeside.
GOALS
Patient Care:
1. Insert Nasogastric tube.
2. Insert Foley Catheter.
3. Be able to perform as a second assistant in the operating room.
4. Be able to function as a first assistant for minor or bedside procedures.
5. Demonstrate sterile technique.
6. Demonstrate patient prep in operating room.
7. Perform wound or incision closure.
8. Describe the steps and indications for central line insertion.
Medical Knowledge:
1. Perform a complete history and physical exam.
2. Write appropriate patient admission orders for a variety of surgical conditions including
but not limited to: trauma, GI bleeding, vascular conditions, and acute abdomen.
3. Write appropriate post-operative orders for both out-patient and emergency surgery
patients.
4. Assess and discuss management of post-operative fever.
5. Explain and interpret chest x-rays.
6. Discuss patient CT scans.
7. Discuss diagnosis and management of:
a. Acute appendicitis
b. Acute Cholecystitis
c. Pulmonary Embolus
d. Hernias
e. Lower and Upper GI bleeding
f. Colon cancer
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
g. Pancreatic masses
h. Liver disease including:
i. Cirrhosis
ii. Common liver tumors
iii. Transplant indications
i. Peripheral vascular disease
j. Carotid artery stenosis
k. Deep vein thrombosis
l. Gastritis
m. Entero-cutaenous fistula.
n. Complete and partial small and large bowel obstructions.
Interpret arterial blood gases.
Understand and verbalize indications for mechanical ventilation.
Discuss the differences and uses for various forms of mechanical ventilation.
Appraise patient for post-operative complications: infections, anastomotic leak, hernia,
bleeding, DVT, heart attack, hyperglycemia.
Discuss management and give examples of post-operative pain control.
Recognize symptoms, causes, and treatments of common electrolyte derangements in
surgical patients:
a. Hyponatremia / Hypernatremia
b. Hypokalemia / Hyperkalemia
c. Hypocalemia
d. Hypomagnesemia
Demonstrate and discuss management of anemia.
Calculate daily caloric needs of different types of patients. Calculate and write TPN
orders for a variety of patient conditions.
Practice Based Learning and Improvement:
1. Evaluate patient care through personal assessment and feedback from residents and staff.
2. Develop personal process of acquiring and appraising scientific knowledge.
Interpersonal and Communication Skills:
1. Discuss patient condition and assessment with resident team.
2. Present patient to staff during rounds in clear concise manner, including exam,
assessment of condition, and plan of patient care.
3. Document steps in patient care.
4. Participate in development of patient care plan.
Professionalism:
1. Perform patient care in an ethical manner.
2. Attend conferences, clinics, and rounds on time.
3. Display commitment to patient care and educational process.
4. Respect patient culture, privacy, and disease process.
System Based Practice:
1. Define cost-effective patient care.
2. Understand the basic costs and risk-benefit of common lab tests, radiology exams, and
operative interventions.