Introduction to Surgery - Definition of surgery - Invasive nature of surgery - Types of surgery (elective, semi-elective, emergency, exploratory, therapeutic) - Types of surgical procedures (amputation, resection, excision, repair, grafting) - Surgical specialties (cardiac surgery, thoracic surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, vascular surgery, urological surgery) - Degree of invasiveness in surgery (conventional open surgery, minimally invasive procedures, ablation, reconstruction, transplantation)

Surgical Techniques and Procedures - Minimally invasive surgical procedures (smaller incisions, laser surgery, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, microsurgery, endoscopic surgery, robotic surgery) - Terminology of surgical procedures (excision surgery, cutting into an organ or tissue, minimally invasive procedures, formation of a permanent or semi-permanent opening, reconstruction/plastic/cosmetic surgery, repair of damaged or abnormal structure, reoperation or redo) - Description of surgical procedure (location of surgery, modern surgery in an operating theater, principles of aseptic technique, operating room staff requirements, importance of aseptic technique to prevent infections)

Preoperative Care - Medical examination and pre-operative tests - ASA physical status classification system - Consent form and surgical clearance - Autologous blood donation and bowel prep - Preoperative fasting and controversy over unnecessary tests

Staging and Intraoperative Phase - Importance of the pre-operative holding area and information sharing - Changing into surgical attire and confirming surgery details - Recording vital signs, placing a peripheral IV line, and administering pre-operative medications - Cleaning and preparing the operating field - Sterile draping of the surgical site and separation of the anesthetist/anesthesiologists' area from the sterile field - Intraoperative phase (incision, clamping/cauterizing blood vessels, use of retractors, approach to surgical site)

Postoperative Care - Transfer to post-anaesthesia care unit - Assessment of general function and outcome - Checking surgical site for signs of infection - Risk factors for postoperative complications - Postoperative therapy (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, medication)