BSSEE study guide
BSSEE · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Board of Specialty Surgical Education Examination (BSSEE) is a multiple-choice assessment designed for surgeons who want to demonstrate breadth and depth of knowledge across the full spectrum of general and specialty surgical practice. It suits candidates preparing for board-style credentialing, those in fellowship or senior residency training, and practicing surgeons who want an objective measure of their current knowledge. The BSSEE study guide has 11 sections and about 2,518 words.
01General Surgery Principles and Perioperative Care
Understand wound healing phases (hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, remodeling), the difference between primary, delayed primary, and secondary intention, and factors that impair healing (ischemia, infection, steroids, diabetes, malnutrition, radiation). Know surgical asepsis, sterile field discipline, and the classification of wounds (clean, clean-contaminated, contaminated, dirty) because prophylaxis and infection risk follow from it.
280 words, about 1 min02Gastrointestinal Surgery
Know the surgical anatomy relevant to the foregut, midgut, and hindgut, including blood supply and lymphatic drainage. Understand the pathophysiology and operative indications for appendicitis, cholecystitis, bowel obstruction, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and colorectal malignancy.
239 words, about 1 min03Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery
Understand biliary anatomy including the confluence of the hepatic ducts, the cystic duct, and the ampulla. Know the presentation and management of gallstone disease, choledocholithiasis, cholangitis, and pancreatitis.
244 words, about 1 min04Breast and Endocrine Surgery
Understand breast anatomy, lymphatic drainage, and the evaluation of a breast mass (clinical exam, imaging, tissue diagnosis). Know the management of benign disease (fibroadenoma, cysts, mastitis) and breast cancer by stage, including breast-conserving surgery versus mastectomy, sentinel lymph node biopsy, and adjuvant therapy principles.
230 words, about 1 min05Trauma and Acute Care Surgery
Master the primary survey (airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure) and the secondary survey. Understand damage control resuscitation, massive transfusion protocols, and the lethal triad (hypothermia, acidosis, coagulopathy).
227 words, about 1 min06Vascular Surgery
Understand arterial anatomy and the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, aneurysm formation, and thromboembolism. Know the presentation and management of peripheral arterial disease, acute limb ischemia (the six Ps), carotid stenosis, aortic aneurysm, and venous disease including deep vein thrombosis and varicose veins.
224 words, about 1 min07Thoracic Surgery
Understand thoracic anatomy, the mediastinal compartments, and the principles of lung isolation and one-lung ventilation. Know the evaluation of a solitary pulmonary nodule, lung cancer staging, and the indications for lobectomy versus wedge resection.
229 words, about 1 min08Transplant Surgery
Understand the principles of organ donation, brain death determination, and allocation systems. Know the immunology of transplant rejection: hyperacute, acute cellular, antibody-mediated, and chronic.
211 words, about 1 min09Surgical Oncology
Understand the biology of cancer, staging systems, and the principles of oncologic resection: negative margins, adequate lymph node sampling, and en bloc resection. Know the role of neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy, and multidisciplinary tumor boards.
221 words, about 1 min10Surgical Critical Care
Understand shock types (hypovolemic, cardiogenic, distributive, obstructive) and their hemodynamic profiles. Master sepsis and septic shock management, including early antibiotics and fluid resuscitation.
204 words, about 1 min11Professionalism, Ethics, and Patient Safety
Understand informed consent, capacity, confidentiality, and surrogate decision-making. Know the principles of beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice.
209 words, about 1 min