General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Introduction
The SCORE General Surgery Curriculum Outline covers a list of topics in a five-year general
surgery residency program.
Topics are listed for all six competencies of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical
Education (ACGME): patient care; medical knowledge; professionalism; interpersonal and
communication skills; practice-based learning and improvement; and systems-based practice.
Patient care topics cover organ system-based categories, with each category separated into
Diseases/Conditions and Operations/Procedures. Topics within these two areas are designated
as core or advanced.
modules are diseases and procedures encountered in general surgery for which a
graduate of training will possess significant knowledge and be able to provide comprehensive
care, including procedural competency.
modules are diseases and procedures that are not consistently part of general
surgery practice for which a graduate of training should have sufficient knowledge to make a
diagnosis and provide initial management. In some instances, graduates will have sufficient
knowledge and experience to provide comprehensive care.
This outline is annually updated and reflects feedback from SCORE member organizations and
specialty surgical societies. As the curriculum has evolved, many topics have been consolidated
to describe required knowledge more accurately.
The Surgical Council on Resident Education (SCORE®) is a nonprofit organization formed in 2004
by the principal organizations involved in American surgical education. SCORE's mission is to
improve the education of trainees in general surgery and related specialties through the
development and maintenance of a national curriculum. The SCORE Portal was created to
provide high-quality educational content, in support of the SCORE Curriculum Outline, to
trainees and their programs.
The SCORE Portal® provides residents and training programs with high-quality educational
materials and a structured program for self-learning. SCORE focuses on all areas of general
surgery and related specialties as well as fellowship-level content.
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General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Patient Care
General Abdomen
Diseases/Conditions
Abdominal Pain
Rectus Sheath Hematoma
Desmoids and Fibromatoses
Peritoneal Neoplasms
Operations/Procedures
Abdominal Exploration
Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Insertion
Hernia
Diseases/Conditions
Inguinal and Femoral Hernias
Miscellaneous Hernias
Umbilical and Epigastric Hernias
Ventral Hernia
Operations/Procedures
Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair
Inguinal and Femoral Hernia Repair
Miscellaneous Hernia Repair
Ventral Hernia Repair
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General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Biliary
Diseases/Conditions
Benign Biliary Obstruction
Choledochal Cyst
Functional Biliary Disorders
Iatrogenic Bile Duct Injury
Primary Biliary Neoplasms
Symptomatic Gallstones and Cholecystitis
Gallbladder Neoplasms
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Operations/Procedures
Cholecystectomy and Cholangiography
Cholecystostomy
Common Bile Duct Exploration and Choledochoscopy
Choledochoenteric Anastomosis
Extended Cholecystectomy for Gallbladder Cancer
Iatrogenic Bile Duct Injury Repair
Procedures for Bile Duct Cancer
Procedures for Bile Duct Neoplasm
Ultrasound of the Biliary Tree
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General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Liver
Diseases/Conditions
Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension
Hepatic Abscess
Metastatic Hepatic Neoplasms
Primary Hepatic Neoplasms
Operations/Procedures
Hepatic Abscess Drainage
Liver Biopsy
Hepatic Resection
Intraoperative Hepatic Ultrasound
Pancreas
Diseases/Conditions
Acute Pancreatitis
Endocrine Pancreatic Neoplasms
Exocrine Pancreatic Neoplasms
Chronic Pancreatitis
Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasms
Pancreas Divisum
Operations/Procedures
Distal Pancreatectomy
Ampullary Tumors
Intraoperative Pancreatic Ultrasound
Pancreaticoduodenectomy
Total Pancreatectomy
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General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Spleen
Diseases/Conditions
Hematologic Diseases of the Spleen
Splenic Abscess, Cysts, and Neoplasms
Operations/Procedures
Splenectomy
Esophagus
Diseases/Conditions
Esophageal Motility Disorders
Esophageal Neoplasms
Gastroesophageal Reflux and Barrett Esophagus
Hiatal Hernias
Esophageal Caustic Ingestion and Foreign Bodies
Operations/Procedures
Antireflux Procedures
Cricopharyngeal Myotomy and Resection of Zenker Diverticulum
Esophagectomy
Heller Esophagomyotomy
Paraesophageal Hernia Repair
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General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Stomach
Diseases/Conditions
Functional Gastric Disorders
Gastric Adenocarcinoma
Gastric Foreign Bodies
GISTs and Miscellaneous Digestive Neoplasms
Morbid Obesity
Peptic Ulcer Disease
Stress Gastritis
Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Operations/Procedures
Access Procedures for Nutritional Support
Gastrectomy
Gastroduodenal Perforation Repair
Vagotomy and Drainage
Procedures for Morbid Obesity
Revisional Procedures after Gastrectomy
Small Intestine
Diseases/Conditions
Acute Mesenteric Ischemia
Enterocutaneous Fistula
Meckel Diverticulum
Paralytic Ileus
Radiation Enteritis
Small Intestinal Neoplasms
Small Intestinal Obstruction
Enteric Infections and Blind Loop Syndrome
Short Bowel Syndrome
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General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Operations/Procedures
Adhesiolysis
Ileostomy and Ileostomy Closure
Procedures for Crohn Disease
Small Intestinal Resection
Large Intestine
Diseases/Conditions
Appendicitis
C. difficile Colitis
Colon Cancer
Colonic Polyps
Colonic Volvulus and Obstruction
Diverticulitis
Ischemic Colitis
Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Colonic Polyposis Syndromes
Functional Intestinal Disorders
Operations/Procedures
Appendectomy
Colostomy and Colostomy Closure
Partial Colectomy
Procedures for Ulcerative Colitis
Total and Subtotal Colectomy
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General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Anorectal
Diseases/Conditions
Anal Cancer
Anal Dysplasia and STDs
Anal Fissure
Anorectal Abscess and Fistulae
Hemorrhoids
Rectal Cancer
Fecal Incontinence
Rectal Prolapse
Operations/Procedures
Anal Sphincterotomy
Anorectal Abscess Drainage
Anorectal Fistula Repair
Perianal Condylomas Excision
Procedures for Hemorrhoids
Anal Cancer Excision
Abdominoperineal Resection and Pelvic Exenteration
Rectal Prolapse Repair
Transanal Resection
Endoscopy
Operations/Procedures
Bronchoscopy and Bronchoalveolar Lavage
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
Lower GI Endoscopy
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General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Breast
Diseases/Conditions
Atypical Hyperplasia, Flat Epithelial Atypia, and Lobular Carcinoma in Situ of the Breast
Benign Inflammatory Disease of the Breast
Breast Disease During Pregnancy and Lactation
Breast Invasive Carcinoma
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ
Fat Necrosis, Fibrocystic Changes, and Radial Scar of the Breast
Fibroadenoma and Phyllodes Tumors of the Breast
Hereditary Breast Cancer
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Initial Management of a Breast Mass
Male Gynecomastia and Breast Cancer
Management of the Axilla in Breast Cancer
Nipple Discharge and Intraductal Papilloma
Paget Disease of the Nipple
Postmastectomy Reconstruction Options
Radiographic Abnormalities of the Breast
Operations/Procedures
Axillary Procedures in Breast Cancer
Breast Duct Excision
Excisional Breast Biopsy and Partial Mastectomy
Percutaneous Breast Biopsy and Cyst Aspiration
Simple, Modified Radical, and Radical Mastectomy
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General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Endocrine
Diseases/Conditions
Hypercortisolism and Cushing Syndrome/Disease
Hyperparathyroidism
Hyperthyroidism
Incidental Adrenal Mass
Initial Workup of a Thyroid Nodule
Pheochromocytoma
Postoperative Hypothyroidism
Primary Hyperaldosteronism
Thyroid Cancer
Thyroiditis
Adrenal Cancer
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasias
Parathyroid Cancer
Operations/Procedures
Parathyroidectomy
Thyroidectomy
Adrenalectomy
Thyroid Ultrasound
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General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Skin and Soft Tissue
Diseases/Conditions
Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Melanoma and Nevi
Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers
Paronychia and Felon
Pilonidal Disease
Pressure Ulcer
Sarcoma
Soft Tissue Infections
Soft Tissue Masses Evaluation
Lymphedema and Lymphangitis
Operations/Procedures
Melanoma Excision
Procedures for Pilonidal Disease
Procedures for Soft Tissue Infections
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Melanoma
Surgical Management of Skin/Soft Tissue Lesion
Ilioinguinal-Femoral Lymphadenectomy
Sarcoma Resection
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General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Surgical Critical Care
Diseases/Conditions
Abdominal Compartment Syndrome
Anaphylaxis
Brain Death
Cardiac Arrest
Cardiac Failure and Cardiogenic Shock
Common Cardiac Arrhythmias
Derangements of Electrolytes and Acid-Base Balance
Endocrine Dysfunction
Hepatic Failure and Hepatorenal Syndrome
Hypovolemic Shock
Neurogenic Shock
Neurologic Dysfunction
Pain, Agitation, and Delirium
Renal Failure
Respiratory Failure: ARDS, Pulmonary Embolism, and Pneumonia
Sepsis and Septic Shock
Organ Donors and Selection Criteria
Operations/Procedures
Airway Access: Intubation and Surgical Airways
Ultrasound for Intravascular Access
Vascular Access
Cardiac Pacing
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General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Trauma
Diseases/Conditions
Burns
Cardiac Injury
Chest Wall, Pleural, and Diaphragm Injuries
Colon and Rectal Injury
Duodenal and Pancreatic Injury
Esophageal Perforation and Injury
Frostbite and Hypothermia
Gastric and Small Intestinal Injury
Geriatric Trauma
Hepatic Injury
Inhalation Injury
Initial Assessment and Management of Trauma
Initial Assessment and Management of Neck Trauma
Lower Urinary Tract Injuries
Pediatric Trauma
Pelvic Fractures and Retroperitoneal Hematoma
Smoke Inhalation Injury and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Splenic Injury
Tracheobronchial and Lung Injury
Trauma in Pregnancy
Traumatic Brain Injury
Upper Aerodigestive Tract Injury
Upper Urinary Tract Injuries
Vascular Abdominal Injury
Vascular Extremity Injury
Vascular Neck Injury
Vascular Thoracic Injury
Bite and Envenomation Injuries
Brachial Plexus Injury
Extremity Injuries
Spinal Cord Injury
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General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Operations/Procedures
Abdominal Exploration for Trauma
Escharotomy
Fasciotomy
Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST)
Gastrointestinal Tract Injury Repair
Hepatic Injury Packing, Repair, and Resection
Neck Injuries Management
Splenectomy and Splenorrhaphy
Procedures for Urinary Tract Injuries
Procedures for Vascular Injuries
Wounds Management
Cardiac Injury Repair
Hand Tendon Repairs
Procedures for Esophageal Injury
Procedures for Thermal Injuries
Skin Grafting for Thermal Injuries
Arterial Disease
Diseases/Conditions
Acute Thrombosis and Ischemia
Carotid Artery Disease
Compartment Syndromes
Diabetic Foot Infections
Peripheral Arterial Emboli
Peripheral Vascular Occlusive Disease
Acute Aortic Dissection
Aortic Aneurysms
Arterial Peripheral Aneurysms
Arterial Visceral Aneurysms
Nonatherosclerotic Occlusive Diseases
Renal Artery Disease
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Vascular Graft Infections
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General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Operations/Procedures
Arterial Embolectomy and Thrombectomy
Lower Extremity Amputations
Abdominal and Aortoiliac Aneurysm Repair
Aortoiliac Reconstruction for Occlusive Disease
Endovascular Intervention Principles
Extra-anatomic Bypass
Graft-enteric Fistula Management
Lower Extremity Bypass
Peripheral Aneurysms Repair
Procedures for Carotid Artery Stenosis
Procedures for Mesenteric Occlusive Disease
Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) Embolectomy and Thrombectomy
Ultrasound in the Diagnosis and Management of Vascular Diseases
Vascular Venous
Diseases/Conditions
Evaluation of a Swollen Leg
Thrombophlebitis
Varicose Veins
Venous Stasis and Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Venous Thromboembolism
Operations/Procedures
Vena Cava Filter Insertion
Venous Insufficiency and Related Procedures
Vascular Access
Diseases/Conditions
Vascular Access for Dialysis
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General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Operations/Procedures
Vascular Exposure Principles
Venous Access Devices Insertion
Arteriovenous Graft and Fistula
Transplantation
Diseases/Conditions
Organ Preservation
Operations/Procedures
Donor Hepatectomy
Donor Nephrectomy
En Bloc Abdominal Organ Retrieval
Liver Transplantation
Pancreas Transplantation
Renal Transplantation
Thoracic Surgery
Diseases/Conditions
Chylothorax
Pleural Effusion and Empyema
Pneumothorax and Pleurodesis
Malignant Lung Tumors
Mediastinal Tumors and Cysts
Mediastinitis
Superior Vena Cava Syndrome
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General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Operations/Procedures
Thoracotomy and Thoracoscopy
Tube Thoracostomy and Thoracentesis
Pulmonary Resections
Pediatric Surgery
Diseases/Conditions
Abdominal Mass
Acute Abdominal Pain
Appendicitis
Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis
Inguinal Hernia
Intussusception
Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Malrotation
Meckel Diverticulum
Umbilical Hernia
Aerodigestive Tract Foreign Bodies
Anorectal Malformations
Biliary Atresia
Choledochal Cysts
Congenital Aganglionosis (Hirschsprung Disease)
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Cryptorchidism
Esophageal Atresia and Tracheoesophageal Fistula
Gastroschisis and Omphalocele
Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Neonatal Small Bowel Obstruction
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General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Operations/Procedures
Inguinal Hernia Repair
Intussusception Operation
Malrotation Operation
Meckel Diverticulum Excision
Pyloromyotomy
Umbilical Hernia Repair
Anorectal Malformations Operation
Branchial Cleft Anomaly Excision
Chest Wall Deformity Repair
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair
Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair
Esophageal Atresia and Tracheoesophageal Fistula Repair
Hirschsprung Disease Operation
Intestinal Atresia and Stenosis Repair
Meconium Ileus Operation
Necrotizing Enterocolitis Operation
Orchiopexy
Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Excision
Plastic Surgery
Operations/Procedures
Complex Wound Closure
Skin Grafting
Genitourinary
Diseases/Conditions
Acute Urinary Retention
Hydrocele
Scrotal Pain and Masses
Genitourinary Neoplasms
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General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Operations/Procedures
Cystostomy
Nephrectomy
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Diseases/Conditions
Ectopic Pregnancy
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Gynecologic Neoplasms
Operations/Procedures
Surgical Considerations of the Pregnant Patient
Cesarean Section
Hysterectomy and Salpingo-oophorectomy
Head and Neck
Diseases/Conditions
Neck Mass Evaluation
Upper Airway Obstruction
Oral Cavity/Pharynx, Laryngeal, and Salivary Gland Cancer
Operations/Procedures
Lymph Node Biopsy
Modified Neck Dissection
Parotidectomy
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General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Medical Knowledge
Anesthesia
Acute Pain Management
Agents and Techniques for Conscious Sedation
Agents and Techniques for General Anesthesia
Agents and Techniques for Regional and Local Anesthesia
Best Practices in Prescribing Opioids
Choice of Anesthesia
Chronic Pain Management
Digital and Peripheral Nerve Blocks
Intraoperative Monitoring and Common Intraoperative Problems
Biostatistics and Evaluation of Evidence
Bias in Research Design and Studies
Study Design
Tests of Significance and Measures of Long-term Survival
Fluids, Electrolytes, and Acid-Base Balance
Hypocalcemia and Hypercalcemia
Hypokalemia and Hyperkalemia
Hyponatremia and Hypernatremia
Magnesium and Phosphorus Disorders
Geriatric Surgery and End-of-Life Care
Advance Directives, DNR Orders, and Power of Attorney
Frailty
Goal Setting with Elderly Patients and Families
Palliative and Hospice Care
Perioperative Management of Geriatric Patients
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General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Immunology
Components of the Immune System
Immune Response to Injury and Infection
Surgery and Surgical Conditions in Immunocompromised Hosts
Transplant Immunology
Infection and Antimicrobial Therapy
Antimicrobial Agents in Surgical Infections
Antimicrobial Stewardship
Diagnostic Approach to Infection
Hospital-Acquired Infections
Intra-abdominal Infections
Opportunistic Infections
Preoperative Assessment and Management of Coexisting Infection
Prevention and Treatment of Surgical Site Infection
Minimally Invasive Surgery – Principles
Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) Principles
Robotic Surgery Principles
Safe Use of Surgical Energy
Nutrition and Metabolism
Nutritional Assessment
Nutritional Requirements
Nutritional Support
Oncology and Tumor Biology
Adjunctive Therapy for Cancer
Tumor Immunology
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General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Preoperative Evaluation and Perioperative Care
Common Postoperative Problems
Evaluation of Surgical Risk
Management of Perioperative Risk
Mechanical Ventilation
Postoperative Pain Management
Prophylaxis of Venous Thromboembolism
Transfusion and Disorders of Coagulation
Evaluation of Ongoing Bleeding and Laboratory Assessment of Coagulation
Inherited and Acquired Disorders of Coagulation
Normal Mechanisms of Hemostasis and Coagulation
Transfusion Indications, Risks, Type and Crossmatch, and Component Therapy
Wound Healing
Wound Closure and Postoperative Care
Wound Healing
Professionalism
Ethical Issues in Clinical Surgery
Advance Directives
Approaching Ethical Issues in Surgery
Decision-Making Capacity
Do Not Resuscitate
Ethics in Global Surgery and Volunteerism
Futility
Informed Consent
Medical Decisions for Pediatric Patients
Substituted Judgment: The Role and Care of Surrogates
Withdrawing and Withholding Life-Sustaining Treatments
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General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Diversity and Inclusion
Allyship and Bystander Intervention
Diversity in the US Surgical Workforce
Principles of Disparities in Surgical Care
Surgical Care of LGBTQIA+ Patients
Managing a Career in Surgery
Surgical Ergonomics
Interpersonal and Communication Skills
Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons (NOTSS)
Cognitive Skills (Situation Awareness and Decision Making)
Social Skills (Communication, Teamwork and Leadership)
The Provider Awareness and Cultural Dexterity Toolkit for Surgeons (PACTS)
Surgical Professionalism and Interpersonal Communication Education
(SPICE)
Advanced Communication Skills and the Challenges of Informed Consent
Communicating Medical Errors
Working Through Language Barriers and Differing Customs
Delivering Grim Prognoses and Other Bad News
Giving and Getting Feedback
Career Management (Making Important Professional and Personal Decisions)
Safe Handoff of Patient Care Duties
Signs of Stress, Depression, and Suicide in Surgical Practice
Working with Professionals (Team Communication and Respect)
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General Surgery Curriculum Outline | 2023 - 2024
Systems-based Practice
Systems-based Practice
Advocating for Quality Patient Care
Coordinating Patient Care
Cost Awareness and Risk-Benefit Analysis
Identifying Systems Errors – Root Cause Analysis
Working Effectively in Various Healthcare Delivery Settings and Systems
Working in Interprofessional Teams
Practice-based Learning and Improvement
Quality Improvement
Inspiring a Healthy Culture for Patient Care
Local Engagement in Quality Improvement
Problem-Based Quality Improvement
Understanding the Data and Methods to Evaluate Performance
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