Category Reference
Hepatobiliary & Pancreas Procedures
13 procedures tested on the ABS Certifying Exam
Hepatobiliary and pancreas cases are a high-yield testing domain because they expose your ability to integrate imaging, oncologic principles, and complex anatomy. Expect cases on choledocholithiasis, gallstone pancreatitis, hepatic abscess, hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Whipple), cystic neoplasms, and post-op complications such as bile leak, pancreatic fistula, and delayed gastric emptying.
Liver
Hepatic Lobectomy / Segmentectomy
Anatomic resection of liver parenchyma along segmental boundaries defined by the Couinaud classification. The examiner expects you to know the eight hepatic segments, the key vascu…
Liver Abscess Drainage
Drainage of a hepatic abscess, either percutaneous (image-guided) or surgical. The examiner expects you to differentiate pyogenic from amebic abscess. Pyogenic abscesses are usuall…
Hepatic Artery Embolization / Chemoembolization
Selective catheterization and embolization of hepatic arterial branches supplying liver tumors, either alone (bland embolization/TAE) or combined with chemotherapy (TACE) or radiat…
Gallbladder & Bile Ducts
Cholecystectomy (Laparoscopic & Open)
Removal of the gallbladder, the most commonly performed abdominal operation. The critical view of safety (CVS) is the single most important concept: the hepatocystic triangle must …
Common Bile Duct Exploration (CBDE)
Surgical exploration of the common bile duct to remove choledocholithiasis, performed either at the time of cholecystectomy or as a separate procedure. The examiner expects you to …
Choledochojejunostomy (Roux-en-Y)
Bilioenteric bypass creating a direct anastomosis between the bile duct (common hepatic or intrahepatic ducts) and a Roux-en-Y jejunal limb. This is the definitive repair for bile …
ERCP Management Concepts
Although ERCP is performed by gastroenterologists, the examiner expects surgeons to understand indications, complications, and management of failures. ERCP with sphincterotomy and …
Subtotal Cholecystectomy
Partial removal of the gallbladder, intentionally leaving the infundibulum or posterior wall attached to the liver bed when severe inflammation prevents safe identification of the …
Pancreas
Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple)
The most complex elective abdominal operation, involving en bloc resection of the pancreatic head, duodenum, distal common bile duct, gallbladder, and distal stomach (classic Whipp…
Distal Pancreatectomy
Resection of the body and/or tail of the pancreas, typically with splenectomy for malignant disease (the splenic artery and vein run along the posterior-superior surface of the pan…
Pancreatic Necrosectomy
Removal of necrotic pancreatic and peripancreatic tissue in the setting of infected pancreatic necrosis, a life-threatening complication of severe acute pancreatitis. The examiner …
Pseudocyst Drainage (Cystogastrostomy)
Internal drainage of a pancreatic pseudocyst into an adjacent hollow viscus, most commonly the stomach (cystogastrostomy) or a Roux-en-Y jejunal limb (cystojejunostomy). The examin…
Lateral Pancreaticojejunostomy (Puestow)
A drainage procedure for chronic pancreatitis involving longitudinal incision of the main pancreatic duct along the length of the pancreas (often called 'filleting' the duct) with …
Practice Hepatobiliary & Pancreas cases with an AI examiner
Talk through these procedures out loud, exam style. The AI examiner adapts to your answers and introduces complications.