This term, I proposed my own independent study. We were offered the opportunity to work independently and create something of our own. I proposed a surgical science study. I spent these 9 weeks researching and learning about different procedures. I kept track in with entries in a Google Doc I made. I first researched anatomy. I looked at the anatomical landmarks of the thorax and the planes of the body. I allowed myself to drift between what kind of surgeries I wanted to study. I started out with cardiothoracic surgery. I found myself drifting toward more minor, emergent procedures. I am fascinated with emergency medicine/surgery, so I wanted to really understand the basic emergency surgical procedures. I looked at procedures like chest tubes, thoracotomy, needle aspirations of pneumothorax, and pericardiocentesis. I then found myself drifting into neurosurgery. Both cardio and neuro are at my top interest. I looked into some common neurosurgical procedures such as craniotomies and craniectomies, hemispherectomy, corpus callosotomy, lobectomy, ventriculostomy, and ventricular peritoneal shunt. I also looked at some emergency neurosurgical procedures like emergency ventriculostomy, Intracranial probe insertion. I also looked at some emergent airway procedures like cricothyroidotomy and tracheotomy. For my FE, I visited the American Hematological Society's annual hematological cancer conference ASH. My friend and classmate NB also came with me, as she is studying medicine as well. It was very technical, and I am rather ignorant when it comes to the more diagnostic side of medicine, so it was interesting to learn about. For my project, I wanted to something more than just research. I have always been interested in emergency thoracotomy, and I have heard several different sides of to argument as to whether it is safe or not. I wanted to research thoracotomies, and find some statistics, and then ask people what they thought. I hope you enjoy!
You can view my research from my independent study here.
Here is a video of me performing a Clamshell Thoracotomy.
In conclusion, this was my dream class. I am always trying to connect what I am learning about medicine because it is my passion. I wanted to flaunt my surgical knowledge, and I found some statistics, but I mostly knew all of this information already. I really was able to do what was interesting me a the moment. I wished I could have challenged myself more. Sadly, I don't really know anyone that knows more than I already do at school. I often have to challenge myself. I wish I could have talked more with my teacher, but overall, I am very happy with the work that I have done.
Works Cited:
Fallon, Brian. "Atlas of Trauma Clamshell Thoracotomy." TRAUMA.org. April 2005. Web. Feb, 5 2019.
Guthrie, Kane. "ED Thoracotomy: Is it Just The First Part of the Autopsy?" Life in the Fast Lane.com. June 2, 2018. Web. Feb, 8, 2019.
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