ABS Pediatric Surgery study plan

Build a one-page decision map that separates the causes of neonatal bilious vomiting (malrotation with volvulus, duodenal or jejunal atresia, meconium ileus, Hirschsprung disease) by timing of onset, examination findings, and first-line imaging.

Derive and recite aloud the operative thresholds for necrotizing enterocolitis: when to continue medical therapy, when to place a drain, and when to resect bowel.

Contrast biliary atresia with choledochal cyst on presentation, ultrasound findings, HIDA interpretation, and the indications for liver biopsy.

Sequence the perioperative steps of Kasai portoenterostomy and the surveillance that follows it, including the specific findings that trigger transplant referral.

Distinguish malrotation with volvulus from simple intestinal obstruction in a 3-week-old and state the time window from presentation to operating room.

Outline the prenatal-to-postnatal handoff for congenital diaphragmatic hernia, including delivery room maneuvers, gentle ventilation targets, and when to place on ECMO.

Classify congenital lung malformations seen on prenatal ultrasound and decide which lesions require resection, which are observed, and which need urgent delivery-room planning.

Formulate and rehearse an antenatal counseling script for gastroschisis versus omphalocele covering delivery mode, timing of delivery, staged closure, and prognosis.

List the criteria for fetal intervention in lower urinary tract obstruction, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, and congenital pulmonary airway malformation with hydrops.

Explain the indications, maternal anesthesia requirements, and fetal risks of the EXIT procedure for a neck mass or large congenital lung lesion.

Apply the pediatric primary survey to three written trauma vignettes and rank the immediate life threats in the order they must be addressed.

Calculate weight-based crystalloid boluses, packed red cell and plasma volumes, and defibrillation energy for children weighing 5 kg, 15 kg, and 30 kg without reference materials.

Differentiate nonoperative from operative management of blunt liver and spleen injury using hemodynamic status, transfusion requirement, and injury grade.

Interpret arterial blood gases and classify shock type (hypovolemic, distributive, cardiogenic, obstructive), then state the first three interventions for each.

Outline ventilator strategy and sedation-analgesia selection for a child with respiratory failure and for a child with raised intracranial pressure after traumatic brain injury.

Manage a 30% total body surface area burn: calculate fluid resuscitation, state escharotomy indications, and list the screening triggers for non-accidental injury.

Recognize and document the red flags of physical abuse, including injury patterns inconsistent with the stated mechanism and the required reporting steps.

Stage Wilms tumor and neuroblastoma by imaging and state the surgical principles, including when biopsy is contraindicated and when preoperative chemotherapy is preferred.

Apply PRETEXT staging to hepatoblastoma and decide resectability and timing of resection relative to chemotherapy.

Manage tumor lysis syndrome and febrile neutropenia, including the electrolyte thresholds and antibiotic timing that change outcome.

Close remaining oncology gaps by outlining the diagnostic workup and treatment sequence for rhabdomyosarcoma, germ cell tumors, and pediatric thyroid nodules.

Compare imaging strategies for a pediatric mediastinal mass and identify the presentations that threaten the airway, including the safe approach to anesthesia induction.

Sequence management of congenital pulmonary airway malformation, bronchopulmonary sequestration, congenital lobar emphysema, and bronchogenic cyst, including timing of resection.

Interpret pediatric chest radiographs for pneumothorax, esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula, and congenital diaphragmatic hernia, describing the specific signs on each.

Outline the indications for operative repair of pectus excavatum and other chest wall deformities and describe the complications to counsel families about.

Outline the classification of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula, the timing of repair, and the management of anastomotic leak and stricture.

Compare tube thoracostomy, fibrinolysis, and decortication for pediatric empyema and select chest tube size by weight and indication.

Differentiate the causes of neonatal hydronephrosis and state the timing of surgery for ureteropelvic junction obstruction and the indications for operating on vesicoureteral reflux.

Outline the timing of hypospadias repair, the contraindications to neonatal circumcision, and the counseling points for each.

Sequence the management of an anorectal malformation by anatomic type, stating the role and timing of colostomy, posterior sagittal anorectoplasty, and the postoperative bowel management program.

Apply the time window for testicular torsion and the salvage and fixation principles that follow, including the approach to the contralateral testis.

Decide the timing of inguinal hernia repair in an ex-preterm infant and outline the management of undescended testis by age at presentation.

Classify pediatric neck masses (thyroglossal duct cyst, branchial cleft anomaly, lymphatic malformation, cervical lymphadenopathy) and state the workup and imaging for each.

Outline the evaluation of a pediatric thyroid nodule and list the specific risks of thyroidectomy in children that must be discussed during consent.

State the biopsy principles for pediatric soft tissue masses and the red flags that should move a lesion from observation to urgent surgical referral.

Complete a full-length 150-question simulated examination under timed, single-sitting conditions.

Review every missed item and rewrite each as a one-line decision rule that can be applied to a new vignette.

Rehearse aloud the 20 highest-yield operative indications across all eight domains, stating the threshold that mandates surgery.

Build a final one-page summary for each domain and verify that every gap flagged in weeks 1 through 7 is now closed.