This book will help you to improve your knowledge base in surgery. Originally designed as a study aid to improve performance on the USMLE Surgery Board exam, the book is full of useful information. Primarily intended as a study aid, the text is written in a rapid-fire question/answer format. This way, readers receive immediate gratification. The questions, themselves, often contain a 'pearl' intended to reinforce the answer. Additional 'hooks' may be attached to the answer in various forms, including mnemonics, visual imagery, repetition and humour. Additional information, not requested in the question, may be included in the answer. Emphasis has been placed on distilling trivia and key facts that are easily overlooked, quickly forgotten and that somehow seem to be needed on board examinations.