Dr. Pestana's Surgery Notes evolved from informal, clandestine photocopies passed among medical students into a definitive, widely used clinical textbook for the surgery shelf exam [1]. Originally developed by Dr. Carlos Pestana at UT Health San Antonio, the notes gained cult status for their conversational, high-yield approach to surgical scenarios before being officially published by Kaplan Medical [1]. For more information, visit the Kaplan Medical site.
Common Criticisms and How to Mitigate Them
No resource is perfect. The exclusive honest review requires noting the limitations of Dr. Pestana’s notes. dr pestanas surgery notes exclusive
The Acute Abdomen: Mastering the timeline of pain. Pestana explains why pain that starts in the periumbilical region and moves to the RLQ is classic for appendicitis, and why pain that is "colicky" changes the diagnosis entirely.
Trauma & Burns: This is perhaps the most tested section. The notes clarify the Parkland Formula for burns and the management of penetrating trauma (gunshot wounds vs. stab wounds) with crystal clarity.
Breast Surgery: A concise breakdown of the workup for a breast lump—when to biopsy, when to ultrasound, and when to mammogram.
Thyroid & Neck: Simplifying the workup of a thyroid nodule and the management of hyperthyroidism (Graves' disease vs. Toxic Nodule).
Pediatric Surgery: High-yield points on congenital anomalies that must be fixed immediately vs. those that can wait (e.g., Pyloric Stenosis timing).
Do not rely on a grainy, third-hand PDF from 2014. Invest in the real, exclusive, updated edition. Your patients (and your test scores) will thank you. The Acute Abdomen: Mastering the timeline of pain
Online Courses: Dr. Pestana offers online courses and lectures that include his surgery notes.
Books and eBooks: Dr. Pestana's Surgery Notes are available in print and digital formats, making it easy to access the information anywhere, anytime.
Medical Education Platforms: Some medical education platforms and websites offer Dr. Pestana's Surgery Notes as part of their curriculum or resource library.
Week 1: The Read-Through
Read one chapter per day. Do not stop to memorize. Use a yellow highlighter. Cover the entire book in 7 days. Your goal is familiarity, not mastery.
Example: "Dr. Pestañas Surgery Notes – Exclusive Edition"
Sample Content Structure (General Surgery – Hernia Repair)