Skip to main content
Unit outline_

SURG5039: Oncoplastic Breast Surgery Level 1

Semester 1, 2021 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Breast surgery requires a thorough knowledge of the science and management of malignant breast disease and this unit of study is aimed at post-fellowship training (PFT) candidates committed to a career in breast surgery. You will focus on principles of oncoplastic breast surgery techniques used to extend the role of breast conservation and improve the aesthetics of breast conservation surgery. Techniques of volume displacement, mammoplasty, volume replacement, symmetry procedures and good mastectomy technique are covered. You will develop your clinical judgement regarding the use of different techniques and how they are integrated with the multidisciplinary management of breast cancer.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Surgery
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
SURG5037 and SURG5038
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

This unit is designed as the second part of a curriculum for contemporary breast surgery for Post Fellowship Trainees and assumes practical skills training is obtained on the BreastSurgANZ PFT Program (or equivalent). Applicants must have completed general or plastic surgical training and have a strong interest

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Andrew Spillane, andrew.spillane@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Small continuous assessment Clinical case discussion
Online post contributions
20% Multiple weeks 500 words each
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO11 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Case study reports
Reports
50% Multiple weeks 1000 words per case
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Assignment Short essays
Essays
20% Multiple weeks 600 words each
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6 LO7 LO9 LO10 LO11
Presentation Case report (webinar)
Come prepared to discuss the case at the webinar
10% Week 11 Unit coordinator to advise
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO11 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Case study reports: The case study reports are designed to help students apply the knowledge they have gained in SURG5037, SURG5038 and the learning material that is presented in SURG5039 by the time assignments are submitted. There will be 3 case study reports. In each report, students will be presented with 3 cases and asked to plan the breast cancer surgery of each patient.
  • Short essays: The short essays are designed to help students synthesise and apply the knowledge they have gained in SURG5037, SURG5038 and the learning material that is presented in SURG5039 by the time assignments are submitted. There will be 2 short essays. Essays must be properly referenced.
  • Clinical case discussion: The discussions are designed to help students understand and apply the knowledge gained in SURG5037, SURG5038 and the learning material that has been presented in SURG5039 by the time assignments are submitted.  In these discussions, students will be asked to respond to the questions posed. There are 2 clinical case discussions at the end of Module 11 and Module 12. Students are required to post a response to each case discussion. Answers should be around 500 words (excluding references). Once submitted, students will have access to other students’ answers and will be required to prepare a 100 word comment to another student’s answer.
  • Case report (webinar): Students will be required to attend a live webinar. Attendance is compulsory. Considering the case that you have been assigned to, come prepared to discuss the questions provided to you at the webinar.

Detailed information for each assesment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Please note, for this unit of study (SURG5039) the late submission penalty will be 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date for 5 calendar days only. This is to ensure that timely feedback is provided to students. If the assessment is submitted more than 5 calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Module 1: history of oncoplastic surgery and appraisal of the breast Online class (10 hr)  
Week 02 Module 2: oncoplastic breast conservation - patient selection and role of NACT Online class (10 hr)  
Week 03 Module 3: oncoplastic breast conservation - glandularity & quadrant assessment and level 1 OBS options Online class (10 hr)  
Week 04 Module 4: mammoplasty 1 - wise pattern techniques Online class (10 hr)  
Week 05 Module 5: mammoplasty 2 - other mammoplasty procedures Online class (10 hr)  
Week 06 Module 6: mammoplasty 3 - melon slice procedure and Grisotti flap Online class (10 hr)  
Week 07 Module 7: indications for volume replacement perforator flap Online class (10 hr)  
Week 08 Module 8: risk reducing surgery and contralateral prophylactic mastectomy Online class (10 hr)  
Week 09 Module 9: complex case discussions Online class (10 hr)  
Week 10 Module 10: salvaging poor breast conserving results Online class (10 hr)  
Week 11 Module 11: a MDT approach to case selection - radiology, pathology and surgical considerations Online class (10 hr)  
Week 12 Module 12: difficult case series and oncoplastic considerations Online class (10 hr)  
Week 13 Module 13: nipple sparing and skin sparing mastectomy Online class (10 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance requirements: Students will be required to attend a live webinar for this unit of study. Attendance is compulsory.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Provide participants with a clear understanding of how to appraise the breast and patients who are suitable for Breast conservation in A-C cup breast with minimal ptosis
  • LO2. Provide participants with a clear understanding of how to assess the breast and tumour phenotype and how this can be applied with modern oncological treatments to aid breast conservation
  • LO3. Enable candidates to review breast imaging to assess glandularity and its application to breast conservation techniques
  • LO4. Enable participants to analyse and predict potential post-operative deformities from breast conservation surgery
  • LO5. Enable participants to critique the use of advanced level 1 techniques including tennis racquet, Round Block (Benelli), V advancement and Batwing
  • LO6. Enable participants to assess, plan and select suitable patients for Reduction mammoplasty techniques
  • LO7. Provide participants with a clear understanding of the reduction mammoplasty pedicles, blood supply and applicability for breast conservation
  • LO8. Enable participants to describe reduction mammoplasty techniques and identify critical steps to avoid complications
  • LO9. Enable participants to identify suitable breast phenotypes and steps involved in rotation flaps - Grisotti, Melon Slice
  • LO10. Enable participants to identify suitable breast phenotypes and steps involved in Perforator Flaps - TDAP - AICAP - SAAP - LICAP
  • LO11. Provide participants with a clear understanding of the role of Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy (CPM) and risk reducing surgery

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

We value your feedback about any aspect of the unit of study and your experience as a student of Sydney Medical School. To help ensure our courses meet your needs and maintain a high standard, we welcome your feedback at any time and we ask you to complete the Mid-Semester Evaluation Survey and the unit of study Evaluation Survey at the end of the semester. You can also rate any component of the unit using our star rating system found at the bottom of many pages as you progress through the unit. Your ratings and comments are anonymous and specifying what you liked and didn’t like about any of the learning materials, assessment items, discussion forums, feedback etc will help us to target our improvement efforts. Please note that your participation in this unit of study permits de-identified information about your learning experience and interaction with learning resources to be used for the purpose of improving the student learning experience.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

  • No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances

  • A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory

  • Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories

  • In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door

  • First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory

  • As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.