Surgery

This rotation provides students an intensive exposure to multiple facets in the care of the acutely burned patient: surgical and non-surgical care, critical care, outpatient wound care. Large burn injuries evoke the most severe critical illness known to medicine. Patients with such injuries are unstable for prolonged periods of time and require responsive and attentive critical care.

The student will participate in all aspects of care, including procedures performed in the burn intensive care unit as well as in the operating room. Each student will be assigned two to three patients, and the student will be expected to write notes, attend operative procedures, and follow up on studies and consultants for their patients. Assessment of burn size and depth as well as need for operative intervention will be emphasized. Operative therapy for acute burns includes excisional debridement and skin grafting, but there are multiple choices to be made in providing optimal care to a particular patient. Burn scar revision is also a critical portion of the patient’s journey and is also undertaken on a regular basis.

Length of Rotation: 2 or 4 weeks (maximum – 1 student at a time)

Scheduling Restriction: must be coordinated in advance

Student's Class Level: 3rd, 4th, 5th year

Prerequisite: N/A

Accept Visiting Students: yes; please contact in advance

Learning Objectives

Students participating in a General Surgery elective rotation become an integral part of the residency program as a student member of the resident team and are supervised by the Chief Resident and Attendings on the service. During this rotation, students are fully integrated into the service and are expected to participate in all teaching conferences, Grand Rounds, clinics and attend core curriculum conference two hours per week. Under the supervision of the Chief Resident and faculty, students participate in the management of general surgical in-patients, preoperative evaluations, and outpatient clinics. Our goal is to provide an educational experience that will be of value to the student's eventual practice, regardless of which specialty he or she enters.

Length of Rotation: 2 & 4 weeks (maximum-2 students)

Scheduling Restriction: N/A

Student's Class Level: 4th year

Prerequisite: N/A

Accept Visiting Students: US – Yes (on 4 WK only); International – no

Learning Objectives

This rotation provides students with an intensive exposure to preoperative and postoperative management of adult and pediatric cardiac surgical patients and to intraoperative conduct of surgical procedures, with active participation in the operating room and in regular conferences. Students attend regular seminars covering major areas of cardiac surgery with members of the faculty, and may be required to present a seminar on a subject in cardiac surgery to faculty and resident staff.

Length of Rotation: 4 weeks (maximum-4 students)

Scheduling Restriction: N/A

Student's Class Level: 3rd, 4th, 5th years

Prerequisite: Completion of third year clerkships

Accept Visiting Students: yes

Learning Objectives

This clinical experience is similar to the Otolaryngology Subinternship but is only two weeks in duration and allows more flexibility to the student to participate in operations and clinics of their specific interest. It includes experience in the operating room, wards, outpatient clinics, conferences, didactics, and tumor board. The rotation is divided into one-week blocks, including the Head and Neck Service (H&N Cancer/Reconstructive Surgery, Laryngology) and the ENT Specialty Service (Neurotology, Pediatrics, Sinus/Skull Base, Facial Plastics, General). At the end of the rotation, the students may (but are not required) to give a seven-minute presentation on a topic of their choice at the ENT grand rounds. By the end of the rotation, students should become comfortable performing a thorough but efficient head and neck examination, interpreting diagnostic tests and procedures that can be useful in all medical and surgical subspecialties, and improve their suturing skills.

Length of Rotation: 2 weeks (maximum-2 students)

Scheduling Restriction: N/A

Student's Class Level: 4th, 5th year

Prerequisite: Completion of third-year clerkships

Accept Visiting Students: yes

Learning Objectives

A two-week rotation, the surgical intensive care unit will expose the senior medical student to the day to day and minute to minute management of the critically ill surgical patient. The breadth of surgical disease, spanning all aspects of surgery, allows the student to understand the management of respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and renal failure. Students will be exposed to advanced techniques in ventilatory management, and state of the art sepsis management.

Length of Rotation: 2 weeks (maximum-1 student)

Student's Class Level: 4th, 5th year

Prerequisite: Completion of third year clerkships

Accept Visiting Students: no

Learning Objectives

A four week rotation, the surgical intensive care unit will expose the senior medical student to the day to day and minute to minute management of the critically ill surgical patient. The breadth of surgical disease, spanning all aspects of surgery, allows the student to understand the management of respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and renal failure. Advanced techniques in ventilatory management, and state of the art sepsis management are used.

Length of Rotation: 4 weeks (maximum-1 student)

Scheduling Restriction: NO EXCEPTION TO LENGTH OF ROTATION AND MAXIMUM STUDENT PER BLOCK.

Student's Class Level: 4th, 5th year

Prerequisite: Completion of third year clerkships

Accept Visiting Students: yes (section chief's approval for visiting students)

Learning Objectives

Experience the rewarding and meaningful rotation that is the General Thoracic Surgery Elective! There is a lot of teaching in the operating room, on the floors, and in the clinics when you are with us. In return, the student will be expected to be a valuable contributing team member during daily rounds, in the operating room, in the outpatient clinics and at conferences. The majority of the patients under the care of the thoracic surgery service include patients with lung, esophageal, and mediastinal malignancies and infections, and many present both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. In addition to the enriching interactions with the thoracic oncology patients, students will have the opportunity to understand the multidisciplinary approach that is undertaken in the management of these complex patients. If the students are interested, clinical research projects and papers can also be pursued while on the service.

Length of Rotation: 2 weeks (maximum-2 students)

Scheduling Restriction: N/A

Student's Class Level: 4th, 5th year

Prerequisite: Completion of third year clerkships

Accept Visiting Students: no

Learning Objectives

This subinternship allows the student to learn about the multi-disciplinary approach to bariatric surgery, its indications, types of bariatric surgery, post-operative care of these patients, and evaluation and management of complications thereof. During this subinternship, the student will gain a familiarity with the anatomy and pathophysiology of conditions addressed by and related to bariatric surgery. The student also has the opportunity for exposure to non-bariatric cases, with minimally invasive foregut surgeries and hernia repairs. The student will learn the principles and applications of laparoscopy. Many cases include upper endoscopy. Students will have the opportunity to assist in the care of patients in the hospital ward, the emergency room, the operating room, and clinic. This subinternship takes place at the Saint Raphael Campus, with a few scheduled cases occurring at the York Street Campus.

Length of Rotation: 4 weeks (maximum-1 student)

Scheduling Restriction: N/A

Student's Class Level: 4th, 5th year

Prerequisite: Completion of third year clerkships

Accept Visiting Students: yes

Learning Objectives

The colorectal surgery subinternship affords the student the chance to learn about the surgical care of colon and ano-rectal diseases. This includes infectious, inflammatory, neoplastic, and mechanical pathologic processes. Students will assist in the evaluation and management of patients with colorectal and anorectal disease. There is routine use of endoscopy and laparoscopy during cases. Students will have the opportunity to assist in the care of patients in the hospital ward, the emergency room, the operating room, and clinic. Students may also participate in a precepted experience, with increased responsibility for patient care on the hospital ward, acting as the intern for select weekends. This subinternship takes place at the York Street Campus.

Length of Rotation: 4 weeks (maximum-1 student)

Scheduling Restriction: N/A

Student's Class Level: 4th, 5th year

Prerequisite: Completion of third year clerkships

Accept Visiting Students: yes

Learning Objectives

This rotation provides students with an intensive exposure to preoperative and postoperative management of adult and pediatric cardiac surgical patients and to intraoperative conduct of surgical procedures, with active participation in the operating room and in regular conferences. Students attend regular seminars covering major areas of cardiac surgery with members of the faculty, and may be required to present a seminar on a subject in cardiac surgery to faculty and resident staff.

Length of Rotation: 4 weeks (maximum-4 students)

Scheduling Restriction: N/A

Student's Class Level: 3rd, 4th, 5th years

Prerequisite: Completion of third year clerkships

Accept Visiting Students: yes

Learning Objectives

This elective exposes the student to in-depth clinical and surgical aspects of endocrine surgery. Special emphasis will be placed on the multi-disciplinary approach to the endocrine patient, understanding the laboratory and radiologic studies, cytopathology, biochemical analysis and stabilization of patients preoperatively, intraoperative decision making, as well as postoperative follow-up and outpatient evaluations of patients. Technical skills will be emphasized as well for students interested in improving their surgical hands.

Length of Rotation: 4 weeks (maximum – 2 students)

Scheduling Restriction: N/A

Student's Class Level: 4th, 5th year

Prerequisite: Completion of third year clerkships

Accept Visiting Students: yes (visiting students must have completed third year clerkships)

Learning Objectives

This clinical experience is independent of the third-year Surgery/Otolaryngology rotation and takes place on an individual basis. It includes experience in the operating room, wards, outpatient clinics, conferences, didactics, and tumor board. The rotation is divided into two-week blocks, including the Head and Neck Service (H&N Cancer/Reconstructive Surgery, Laryngology) and the ENT Specialty Service (Neurotology, Pediatrics, Sinus/Skull Base, Facial Plastics, General). At the end of the rotation, students are expected to give a seven-minute presentation on a topic of their choice at ENT grand rounds. By the end of the rotation, students should become comfortable performing a thorough but efficient head and neck examination, interpreting diagnostic tests and procedures that can be useful in all medical and surgical subspecialties, and improve their suturing skills.

Length of Rotation: 4 weeks (maximum-3 students)

Scheduling Restriction: N/A

Student's Class Level: 4th, 5th year

Prerequisite: Completion of third year clerkships

Accept Visiting Students: yes

Learning Objectives

This subinternship allows students an in-depth exposure to the broad spectrum of pediatric surgical problems. Specific attention is given to identifying the pediatric patient in crisis, a relevant skill whether or not the student pursues a career in surgery. Objectives include understanding the correction of major congenital anomalies, management of trauma, care of the critically ill child, and management of solid tumors. Experience includes in-depth exposure to the pediatric OR, training in neonatal and pediatric critical care, and experience in the pediatric surgical outpatient clinic. The sub-intern is an integral part of the pediatric surgical team.

Length of Rotation: 4 weeks (maximum-1 student)

Scheduling Restriction: N/A

Student's Class Level: 4th year

Prerequisite: Completion of third year clerkships

Accept Visiting Students: yes (International visiting students must be fluent in English; this subinternship is under the Department of Surgery and Pediatrics)

Learning Objectives

The sub internship is designed to provide students interested in plastic and reconstructive surgery an opportunity to participate in the evaluation and reconstructive surgery of deformity of congenital, traumatic and neoplastic origin. This will include craniofacial surgery, hand surgery/peripheral nerve, and reconstructive microsurgery throughout the body including breast, and lower extremity.

Students will be exposed to patients in the inpatient and outpatient settings as well as the operating room. Experiences will be supplemented by didactic conferences each week.

Students will be expected to provide a short (5-10min) end of the rotation presentation on their topic of interest.

Length of Rotation: 4 weeks (maximum-3 students)

Scheduling Restriction: N/A

Student's Class Level: 3rd, 4th, 5th year

Prerequisite: Completion of third year clerkships

Accept Visiting Students: yes

Learning Objectives

Students are assigned advanced clinical duties in the field of Surgical Critical Care. Students will spend time in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit where they will participate in the management of critically ill surgical patients including general surgical, vascular, urologic, cardiothoracic, and neurosurgical patients. Topics covered include cardiopulmonary resuscitation, airway and ventilator management, fluid management, nutritional support, and the management of sepsis. Students can participate in all invasive procedures in the SICU including bedside tracheostomy, percutaneous gastrostomy placement, bronchoscopy, and arterial and central venous catheter placement. Students are directly responsible for one to two critical care patients under the direct supervision of the intensive care Attending. Sub-interns will present on rounds each day and assist in providing family and primary service communication. This rotation is limited to fourth year students.

Length of Rotation: 4 weeks (maximum-1 student)

Scheduling Restriction: N/A

Student's Class Level: 4th, 5th year

Prerequisite: Completion of third year surgery and medicine clerkships

Accept Visiting Students: yes

Learning Objectives

This rotation allows students the opportunity of an intensive exposure to surgical aspects of the treatment of cancer in the clinic, hospital and operating room. The interaction between surgery, medical oncology and radiation therapy will be experienced by following patients receiving multiple forms of therapy.

Length of Rotation: 4 weeks (maximum-4 students)

Scheduling Restriction: N/A

Student's Class Level: 4th, 5th year

Prerequisite: Completion of third year clerkships

Accept Visiting Students: yes

Learning Objectives

Experience the rewarding and meaningful rotation that is the General Thoracic Surgery Subinternship! There is a lot of teaching in the operating room, on the floors, and in the clinics when you are with us. In return, the Subintern will be expected to be a valuable contributing team member during daily rounds, in the operating room, in the outpatient clinics and at conferences. The majority of the patients under the care of the thoracic surgery service include patients with lung, esophageal, and mediastinal malignancies and infections, and many present both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. In addition to the enriching interactions with the thoracic oncology patients, students will have the opportunity to understand the multidisciplinary approach that is undertaken in the management of these complex patients. If the subinterns are interested, clinical research projects and papers can also be pursued while on the service.

Length of Rotation: 4 weeks (maximum-2 students)

Scheduling Restriction: N/A

Student's Class Level: 4th, 5th year

Prerequisite: Completion of third year clerkships

Accept Visiting Students: yes

Learning Objectives

This intensive clinical experience emphasizes the preoperative assessment, intraoperative care, and post-operative management of patients suffering end stage organ system failure who are cared for by transplantation. Emphasis also includes the management of immunosuppressive medication regiments and the care of post-transplant problems.

Length of Rotation: 4 weeks (maximum-1 student)

Scheduling Restriction: N/A

Student's Class Level: 4th, 5th year

Prerequisite: Completion of third year clerkships

Accept Visiting Students: yes

Learning Objectives

The Trauma and Emergency General Surgery Subinternship is a four-week exposure to the urgent surgical care of the critically ill and injured patient including those with penetrating and blunt injuries, surgical emergencies including mesenteric ischemia, bowel perforation, abdominal sepsis, necrotizing soft tissue infections and other urgent surgical conditions. Students will be exposed to the evaluation, medical and surgical management of patients with traumatic and surgical emergencies in the Emergency department, surgical floors, operating rooms and outpatient clinics, and assume supervised primary responsibility for these patients throughout their pre-, intra- and postoperative courses. Options for involvement in clinical research projects are also available.

Length of Rotation: 4 weeks (maximum-2 students)

Scheduling Restriction: N/A

Student's Class Level: 3rd, 4th, 5th year

Prerequisite: Completion of third year clerkships

Accept Visiting Students: yes (completion of third year clerkships required for visiting students, section chief's approval for visiting students) No international Students

Learning Objectives

This subinternship may be found in Urology under the Elective Catalog Listing.

This subinternship is a practical experience in the diagnosis and management of vascular disease, including pre- and post-operative care. The scope of the experience includes orientation to the non-invasive vascular diagnostic laboratory, out patient care in the Yale Vascular Center, and in-patient management (including patients in the OR, ICU, and the vascular surgery unit)

Length of Rotation: 4 weeks (maximum-1 student)

Scheduling Restriction: N/A

Student's Class Level: 4th, 5th year

Prerequisite: Completion of third year clerkships

Accept Visiting Students: yes

Learning Objectives