ABS General Surgery study guide
ABS General Surgery · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The General Surgery Certifying Examination (GSCE) is the second of the two examinations the American Board of Surgery requires for certification in general surgery; candidates must first pass the General Surgery Qualifying Examination (GSQE). The GSCE is for surgeons who have completed an ACGME- or RCPSC-accredited general surgery residency and are within the seven academic years following training during which certification must be achieved. The ABS General Surgery study guide has 7 sections and about 2,056 words.
01Alimentary Tract
The alimentary tract questions reward a disciplined approach: localize the lesion, then reason about obstruction, inflammation, perforation, and ischemia as separate mechanisms. Know the classic presentations of appendicitis, small-bowel obstruction (SBO), large-bowel obstruction, diverticulitis, and peptic ulcer disease, and understand which findings push you toward operative versus nonoperative management.
309 words, about 2 min02Abdomen and its Contents
This domain covers solid organs, the biliary tree, hernias, and the retroperitoneum. Understand biliary colic versus acute cholecystitis versus choledocholithiasis with cholangitis, the presentation of acute pancreatitis and its severity markers, and the anatomy and complications of inguinal and femoral hernias.
268 words, about 1 min03Breast
Breast questions blend benign disease, breast cancer staging and biology, and the workup of a breast mass. Know the triple assessment (clinical exam, imaging, tissue sampling), the difference between screening and diagnostic mammography, and the receptor status implications (ER/PR, HER2).
266 words, about 1 min04Skin and Soft Tissue
Focus on distinguishing cellulitis, abscess, necrotizing soft tissue infection, and benign lesions requiring excision. Understand when incision and drainage is the definitive treatment (abscess) versus when antibiotics alone suffice (uncomplicated cellulitis).
240 words, about 1 min05Endocrine System
Endocrine surgery questions center on thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and pancreatic neuroendocrine disease. Know the workup of a thyroid nodule (TSH, ultrasound, fine-needle aspiration), the significance of medullary thyroid carcinoma (RET, MEN2), and the presentation of primary hyperparathyroidism (hypercalcemia, elevated PTH, osteoporosis, stones).
224 words, about 1 min06Surgical Critical Care
Critical care questions test shock recognition and resuscitation, sepsis management, ventilator basics, and acid-base interpretation. Understand the categories of shock (hypovolemic, distributive, cardiogenic, obstructive) and the early priorities: airway, oxygenation, and perfusion.
262 words, about 1 min07Surgical Oncology
Oncology questions emphasize staging, margin principles, and multidisciplinary decision-making. Know TNM staging concepts, the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma and breast cancer, and the principle that oncologic resection aims for negative margins with adequate lymph node evaluation.
487 words, about 2 min