Practicals · GS

General Surgery

207 practical items from the NMC curriculum and the NBEMS DNB curriculum, grouped by the curriculum's own sections.

Links point to videos and pages published by others; SolvedPGSS does not host them. Check any technique against your department's protocol before you use it on a patient.

Top education resources

Top education resources for General Surgery

Video libraries, simulators and animations that residents and published reviews rate highly. We opened every link and checked it plays (8 Oct 2026). Ranked best first.

  1. 1
    WebSurg (IRCAD)
    Video libraryFree accountIndependently endorsed

    Lap chole, hernia (incl. open Lichtenstein), GI, HPB, bariatric, colorectal

    Largest expert-edited free surgical library; scored about twice YouTube in LAP-VEGaS quality studies

  2. 2
    Touch Surgery
    SimulatorFree accountIndependently endorsed

    Step-by-step tap-through simulations of common operations

    Most-recommended free tool on Reddit (12 threads); RCT: 89.7% vs 63.4% for textbook

  3. 3
    TVASurg (Toronto Video Atlas of Surgery)
    AnimationsFree · no loginIndependently endorsed

    Breast, HPB, hernia and bowel operations with 3D anatomy over the real field

    Open access, no login; 3D overlays make the anatomy click

  4. 4
    SAGES TV
    Video libraryFree · no loginIndependently endorsed

    Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, hernia, foregut, colorectal

    Society-curated laparoscopic library; residents call it their go-to for anything laparoscopic

  5. 5
    JOMI: free-tagged operations
    Video libraryFree part + paidIndependently endorsed

    Full incision-to-closure operations (free-tagged videos)

    Most-praised peer-reviewed library; FREE ARTICLE videos play in full without login

207 items

Basic Ward & Bedside Procedures

Pleural tap (thoracocentesis)

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC); Essential (DNB)

Abdominal paracentesis (ascitic tap)

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC); Essential (DNB)

Lumbar puncture (LP)

Procedure

Peripheral intravenous (IV) cannulation

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC); Essential (DNB)

Blood transfusion administration and monitoring

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC)

Venous cut-down

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC); Essential (DNB)

Nasogastric (NG) tube insertion

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC); Essential (DNB)

Proctoscopy

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC)

Urethral catheterisation

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC); Essential (DNB)

Surgical management of wounds

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC)

Wound dressing

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Venepuncture / blood sample collection

ProcedureDesirable (DNB)

Minor Surgical Procedures

Trucut (core needle) biopsy

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Ingrowing toenail surgery

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

OT Skills & Instruments

Surgical knot tying

Procedure

Bandaging technique

Procedure

Splinting technique

Procedure

Surgical staplers (use of)

Instrument

Emergency Room Procedures

Suturing of lacerations / wound closure

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Incision and drainage of superficial abscess

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC); Essential (DNB)

Wound debridement

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Plaster of Paris (POP) cast application

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

External fixator application

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Skeletal traction application

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Amputation (limb)

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Trauma & Resuscitation

Control of external haemorrhage

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC)

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC)

Basic Life Support (BLS) training

Drill / simulationPerform independently (NMC)

Endotracheal intubation

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC); Essential (DNB)

Tracheostomy

Procedurenot stated; Essential (DNB)

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scoring

Clinical examination

Trauma scoring systems

Clinical examination

CT scan interpretation in head injury

Interpretation

Trauma laparotomy

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Splenic repair

Procedure

Repair of ruptured liver (liver trauma surgery)

Procedure

Median sternotomy

Procedure

Management of shock (all types)

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC)

Assessment and management of burns

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC)

Anorectal

Anal dilatation

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Lateral sphincterotomy

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Rectal/pelvic organ prolapse surgery

Procedure

Faecal incontinence surgery

Procedure

Anal sphincter repair

Procedure

Repair of recto-vaginal fistula

Procedure

Injection/banding of haemorrhoids

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC); Essential (DNB)

Fistulectomy (fistula-in-ano)

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Fissurectomy

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Abdomen

Assessment of the acute abdomen

Clinical examination

ICU / Critical Care Procedures

Arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Arterial line insertion

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Knowledge and use of ventilators and monitors

InstrumentEssential (DNB)

Vascular

Fasciotomy

Procedure

Block dissection of groin

Procedure

Varicose vein surgery

ProcedureObserved/assisted (NMC); Desirable (DNB)

Vein harvesting

ProcedureDesirable (DNB)

Aneurysm surgery

ProcedureAssist/Observe (DNB)

Control of venous bleeding

Procedure

Organ Transplantation

Cadaveric organ retrieval

Procedure

Hernia

Hernia repair (inguinal/groin)

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC); Essential (DNB)

Ventral hernia repair

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Umbilical hernia repair

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Herniotomy

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Breast

Excision of benign breast lump

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC); Essential (DNB)

Modified radical mastectomy

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC); Essential (DNB)

Axillary lymph node biopsy / dissection

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC)

Excision of gynaecomastia

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC)

Clinical breast examination

Clinical examination

Microdochectomy

ProcedureDesirable (DNB)

Radical duct excision (breast)

ProcedureDesirable (DNB)

Breast reduction surgery

Procedure

Thyroid & Endocrine

Hemithyroidectomy

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC); Desirable (DNB)

Total/subtotal thyroidectomy

ProcedureAssist/Observe (DNB)

Excision of thyroglossal cyst (Sistrunk operation)

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC)

Parathyroidectomy

ProcedureAssist/Observe (DNB)

Adrenalectomy

ProcedureAssist/Observe (DNB)

Surgery for endocrine pancreatic tumours

ProcedureAssist/Observe (DNB)

Head & Neck

Superficial parotidectomy

ProcedureObserved/assisted (NMC); Assist/Observe (DNB)

Submandibular gland excision

ProcedureObserved/assisted (NMC); Assist/Observe (DNB)

Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC); Essential (DNB)

Open cholecystectomy

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC)

Drainage of liver abscess

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC)

Surgery for hydatid cyst of liver

ProcedureObserved/assisted (NMC)

Pancreatic surgery (general)

ProcedureObserved/assisted (NMC)

Retroperitoneal operations

ProcedureObserved/assisted (NMC)

Operative cholangiography

Procedure

Biliary bypass surgery

Procedure

Repair of biliary stricture

Procedure

Drainage of infected pancreatic necrosis

Procedure

Drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst

Procedure

Cystogastrostomy

ProcedureDesirable (DNB)

Pancreatic debridement

Procedure

Porto-systemic shunt surgery

Procedure

Choledochoscopy

Procedure

Upper GI (Stomach & Oesophagus)

Oesophagectomy

Procedure

Heller's cardiomyotomy

Procedure

Long oesophageal myotomy

Procedure

Oesophageal dilatation

Procedure

Feeding gastrostomy

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Feeding jejunostomy

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Small Bowel & Colorectal

Appendectomy

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC); Essential (DNB)

Small bowel resection and anastomosis

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC); Essential (DNB)

Repair of enteric perforation

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Bowel anastomosis (sutured and stapled)

ProcedureDesirable (DNB)

Colostomy / stoma formation

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC); Essential (DNB)

Hartmann's procedure (for cancer rectum)

ProcedureObserved/assisted (NMC)

Closure of Hartmann's colostomy

Procedure

Splenectomy (including emergency)

ProcedureObserved/assisted (NMC); Essential (DNB)

Sub-total colectomy

Procedure

Diagnostic laparoscopy

Procedure

Therapeutic endoscopy

Procedure

Colonoscopy

Interpretation

Anterior resection of rectum

Procedure

Abdominoperineal (AP) resection of rectum

Procedure

Ileorectal anastomosis

Procedure

Panproctocolectomy

Procedure

Colo-anal anastomosis

Procedure

Posterior approach to rectum

Procedure

Urology

Reduction of paraphimosis

Procedure

Vasectomy (preferably non-scalpel)

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC); Essential (DNB)

Circumcision

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC); Essential (DNB)

Hydrocele surgery

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC); Essential (DNB)

Suprapubic cystostomy

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Cystolithotomy

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Varicocele surgery (varicocelectomy)

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Orchidectomy

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Exploration of scrotum for torsion

Procedure

Orchidopexy

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Urethral dilatation

ProcedureDesirable (DNB)

Ureterolithotomy

ProcedureDesirable (DNB)

Pyelolithotomy

ProcedureDesirable (DNB)

Pyeloplasty

Procedure

Open prostatectomy

Procedure

Nephrectomy

Procedure

Emergency nephrectomy

ProcedureEssential (DNB)

Plastic & Reconstructive / Skin

Split-thickness skin graft (STSG)

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC); Essential (DNB)

Types of skin grafts and flaps

ProcedureAssist/Observe (DNB)

Myocutaneous flap reconstruction

Procedure

Tissue expander insertion

Procedure

Laparoscopic & Minimal Access Surgery

Laparoscopic suturing and knotting

Procedure

Laparoscopic ultrasound

Procedure

Anaesthesia Techniques

Local infiltration anaesthesia

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC)

Surface (topical) anaesthesia

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC)

Digital nerve block

ProcedurePerform independently (NMC)

Clinical Examination & Assessment

Long case clinical examination (surgery)

Clinical examination

Short case clinical examination (surgery)

Clinical examination

X-ray spotter / instrumentation viva

Specimen / spotter

Communication & Administration

Case record / case history writing

Communication / admin

Discharge summary writing

Communication / admin

Surgical audit

Communication / admin