🎙 Surgical Bites – Practical Insights for Resident Doctors
Surgical Bites is a podcast created by Moureen Azer, Faith Shingirirai Ndungwani, and Ana Condescu, and led by Mr. Youssef (Breast Surgeon Consultant), to support resident doctors in their surgical journey. Each episode features conversations with senior surgeons across a range of specialties, focusing on the real questions that resident doctors face on the wards.
Our aim is simple: to bridge the gap between day-to-day clinical challenges and expert guidance. Every topic is shaped by questions submitted directly from resident doctors, ensuring each episode is relevant, practical, and to the point.
From managing common surgical scenarios to understanding when to escalate, Surgical Bites gives you the confidence to tackle your on-call shifts and build stronger foundations in surgery.
👉 Episodes are short (15–20 minutes), focused, and designed to fit into a busy schedule. Whether you’re revising, commuting, or between shifts, you’ll get the teaching you need—when you need it.
This podcast is proudly produced with the support of Chief Engineer Mike Sarre and the Hospital Radio Norwich team, who provide technical expertise, editing, and the platform to bring each episode to life.
For questions or to get involved:
📧 Ana.Condescu@nnuh.nhs.uk
📧 Shingirirai.Ndungwani@nnuh.nhs.uk
📧 Moureen.azer@nnuh.nhs.uk
The episode is a practical guide for junior doctors on recognizing and managing urinary stones, with a focus on the urgent distinction between a painful stone and an infected, obstructed kidney, which can lead to sepsis.
4 Aug 2026
9 Surgical Bites - Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
This episode of Surgical Bites focuses on the assessment and management of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Using the case of a 68-year-old man with a 5.4 cm infrarenal AAA, the discussion explains that aneurysms are typically monitored until they reach 5.5 cm, as the risks of surgery below this threshold outweigh the risk of rupture. The importance of smoking cessation, cardiovascular optimisation, and patient education is emphasised, particularly for reducing aneurysm growth and improving surgical outcomes.
The episode also reviews the UK AAA screening programme, the differences between infrarenal and suprarenal aneurysms, and the two main treatment options: open surgical repair and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Finally, it covers common post-operative complications, including acute kidney injury, myocardial infarction, limb ischaemia, blood pressure instability, and endoleaks, highlighting the importance of systematic assessment and early senior involvement when patients deteriorate.
15 Jul 2026
8 Surgical Bites - Abdominal Wall Hernias
🩺 Summary: Abdominal Wall Hernias – Surgical Bytes Podcast
⭐ Overview
The podcast features Mr. Mihai Paduraru, an emergency general surgeon, discussing abdominal wall hernias, their terminology, assessment, complications, and practical management for junior doctors.
🔍 1. What a Hernia Is
A hernia is tissue or an organ protruding through a defect in the abdominal wall.
“Tissue or organ that is moving from one space… to another.”
Key components:
Defect (ring)
Hernia sac
Contents (fat, bowel, other organs)
Hernias may be external (abdominal wall) or internal (through adhesions).
🧠 2. Key Terminology
Reducible vs. Irreducible
Reducible: Can be pushed back into the abdomen, sometimes spontaneously when lying down.
Irreducible: Cannot be returned; may or may not be dangerous.
Incarcerated vs. Strangulated
Incarcerated: Irreducible but blood supply intact.
Strangulated: Irreducible with compromised blood supply, often causing bowel obstruction.
“The blood supply is compromised… we have dead tissue inside the hernia.”
This distinction is clinically critical.
🩻 3. Common Hernia Types
Inguinal Hernias
Direct vs. Indirect: Academically important, but less relevant pre‑operatively. Matters mainly for surgical technique.
Femoral Hernias
High-risk due to tight defect → frequent strangulation.
Classic patient: elderly female with small bowel obstruction.
Should not be reduced if strangulation suspected.
Incisional Hernias
Occur at previous surgical sites, including laparoscopic port sites.
Parastomal Hernias
Occur around stomas due to weakening or enlargement of the surgically created defect.
🧪 4. Assessment Approach for Juniors
Clinical Examination
Use standard abdominal assessment:
Inspection: bulge, skin changes, reducibility
Palpation: contents (fat vs bowel), cough impulse
Percussion: tympany suggests bowel
Auscultation: bowel sounds in large hernias
Role of CT Scanning
CT is essential when:
Strangulation suspected
Obstruction suspected
Anatomy unclear
Incisional or parastomal hernias present
“The gold standard is the CT scan… essential for assessing the type of hernia.”
Ultrasound is not reliable for diagnosing hernias.
🖐️ 5. When Juniors Should Attempt Reduction
Safe to attempt when:
Long-standing hernia
No skin changes
No obstruction
Mild symptoms only
Do NOT attempt when:
Severe pain
Skin inflammation
Obstruction symptoms
CT suggests ischemia
“Reduction… might be very dangerous because we would reduce a compromised segment of bowel.”
🏥 6. Pre‑operative Management of Strangulated Hernias
Before surgery, juniors should initiate:
Nasogastric tube for obstruction
IV fluids (third spacing → dehydration)
Analgesia
Antibiotics (risk of contamination)
Anticoagulation review
Early anaesthetic involvement
“A nasogastric tube… is potentially life saving… The patient will need hydration.”
🎓 7. Take‑Home Messages for F1s
Mr. Paduraru’s three key points:
Classify the hernia early → elective vs emergency, simple vs complex.
Plan ahead → anticipate complications, consider multidisciplinary needs.
Seek senior help early → consultants are accessible and collaboration is essential.
He also encourages juniors to consider emergency surgery as a career due to its flexibility, teamwork, and job availability.
16 Jun 2026
7. Surgical Bites - Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) medicine
This episode of Surgical Bites explores the dynamic field of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) medicine, where medical gastroenterology and emergency surgery intersect. The discussion focuses on the critical management of acute presentations, including post-ERCP complications, ascending cholangitis, and decompensated liver disease.
Hosted by Dr Marcelle McDonald-Leslie, Resident Doctor, this episode features expert insights from Dr Martin Philips, Consultant in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, who shares practical, high-yield guidance drawn from real-world clinical practice
25 Jan 2026
Surgical Bites 6 - MRCS What You Really Need to Know
A focused episode of Surgical Bites discussing practical MRCS exam preparation, including timelines, revision strategies, and common pitfalls.
Mr Abdelrahman Abdelaal (Gen surgery CT) shares experience-based advice to help trainees prepare effectively alongside clinical work. Hosted by Faith (Resident Doctor). Recorded with the support of Hospital Radio Norwich.
7 Nov 2025
Surgical Bites 5 - Urology
In this episode, Mr Nish Liyanapathirana, Consultant Urologist at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, joins Omar Ali (CT General Surgery) for a focused discussion on common urological presentations and how to approach them on call.
From acute retention and testicular pain to haematuria and obstructive uropathy, this episode covers practical, day-to-day scenarios that every surgical trainee encounters.
A concise, insightful conversation packed with key learning points for resident doctors
24 Oct 2025
Surgical Bites 3 - Vascular Pt.1
In this episode of Surgical Bites, Moureen Azer interviews Ms. Aseel Abuduruk, Consultant Vascular Surgeon, covering some of the most common and important scenarios encountered in vascular surgery.
The discussion provides clear and practical explanations designed to help resident doctors understand core concepts and approach vascular cases with more confidence.
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24 Oct 2025
Surgical Bites 4 - Vascular Pt.2 Scenarios
In this second part of our vascular series, Moureen Azer continues her conversation with Ms. Aseel Abuduruk, Consultant Vascular Surgeon, exploring further case-based questions and key learning points.
This episode focuses on postoperative care, complication management, and essential decision-making tips for doctors involved in vascular patients’ care.
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15 Oct 2025
Surgical Bites 2 - The Acute Abdomen
In this episode, Faith hosts an insightful discussion on the acute abdomen, one of the most common and challenging surgical presentations.
Our guests, Miss. Vidhya Charavanamuttu (EGS Registrar, NNUHFT) and Mr. Abdelrahman Abdelaal (CT2 General Surgery), share their practical approaches to assessment, diagnosis, and management — from first impressions on the ward to key red flags that shouldn’t be missed.
A must-listen for resident doctors looking to sharpen their decision-making and confidence in acute surgical care.
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2 Sept 2025
Surgical Bites – Episode 1: Breast Surgery
This show hosted by Faith Shingirirai
Get expert guidance from Mr. Youssef, Breast Surgeon Consultant, co-hosted by Faith, on key breast surgery challenges. Perfect for busy resident doctors seeking practical tips.
Mr Mina Youssef
Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
Honorary Lecturer - University of East Anglia
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2 Sept 2025
Surgical Bites – Introduction
Surgical Bites is a podcast created by Moureen Azer, Faith Shingirirai Ndungwani, and Ana Condescu, and led by Mr. Youssef (Breast Surgeon Consultant), to support resident doctors in their surgical journey. Each episode features conversations with senior surgeons across a range of specialties, focusing on the real questions that resident doctors face on the wards.
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