Teaching corner--"lumps and bumps": a practical guide to minor surgery for the Core Surgical Trainee

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Minimally Invasive Procedures

Background:

• Core Surgical Trainees (CT) face challenges with their first local anaesthetic operating lists.
• Foundation Year (FY) doctors have limited formal training and variable exposure to basic surgical techniques.
• A need exists for structured guidance on minor surgical skills for early-career surgeons.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an introductory and practical guide for Core Surgical Trainees.
• To address the lack of formal training in minor surgical skills for Foundation Year doctors.
• To enhance the operative management of common minor surgical pathologies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of current practices and training guidelines.
• Compilation of essential information on minor surgical pathologies.
• Development of a practical, step-by-step operative management guide.

Main Results:

• Identified key challenges faced by trainees in local anaesthetic settings.
• Outlined fundamental surgical techniques for common minor procedures.
• Provided a framework for effective patient management in minor surgery.

Conclusions:

• Formal training in minor surgical skills is crucial for CTs.
• This guide serves as a valuable resource for improving surgical competency.
• Enhanced training can improve patient outcomes and trainee confidence in managing minor surgical conditions.