Outline

Overview

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

Unit code	SURG5039
Academic unit	Surgery
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	SURG5037 and SURG5038
Corequisites ?	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	Railya Mousina, railya.mousina@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	David Messer, david.messer@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Railya Mousina, railya.mousina@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:
Assignment	Case study report 3 Report	16.67%	STUVAC Due date: 02 Jun 2024 at 23:59	2,000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Short essay 1 Essay	10%	Week 04 Due date: 17 Mar 2024 at 23:59	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Case study report 1 Report	16.66%	Week 05 Due date: 24 Mar 2024 at 23:59	2,000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Short Essay 2 Short essay	10%	Week 07 Due date: 14 Apr 2024 at 23:59	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Case study report 2 Report	16.67%	Week 08 Due date: 21 Apr 2024 at 23:59	2,000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Case report (webinar) Come prepared to discuss the case at the webinar	10%	Week 10	Unit coordinator to advise
Outcomes assessed:

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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

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.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
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

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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 Survey at the end of the semester. Your feedback and comments in the surveys 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.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

SURG5039: Oncoplastic Breast Surgery

Semester 1, 2024 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect