Join us for DECODE THE DOCS Week!

Most people hear a word like “anastomosis” and instantly feel like they missed a semester of medical school. We get it, so we turned that confusion into a game.

We’re joined by Adam, a surgical first assistant who works beside surgeons in the operating room, and Dr. Ben Sawyer, a history professor and stand-up comedian who’s brave enough to pronounce OR jargon on the fly and defend his wild definitions.

We break down what these terms actually mean in real clinical life, from anastomosis as the critical “reconnection” step after removing a diseased segment of colon, to laparoscopic cholecystectomy as the everyday name for minimally invasive gallbladder removal using ports and a camera.

Then we jump into the gear: the Bair Hugger warming blanket that helps keep patients at a safe body temperature during surgery, the Army Navy retractor that makes exposure possible, and electrocautery (the Bovie) for controlling bleeding.

We finish with one of the most satisfying tools to talk about: the surgical mallet and the bone work that makes orthopedics feel like carpentry with consequences, plus a few pop-culture detours that only a comedian historian would bring.

If you like smart comedy, healthcare stories, and learning surgical terminology without the snooze factor, hit subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave us a review. What’s the most confusing medical word you’ve ever heard?

THANKS TO OUR GUESTS:

Adam: Surgical First Assistant

Podcast: Vassals of Kingsgrave

Dr Ben Sawyer: history professor, comedian, podcast and game show host

Podcast: The Road to Now

Game Show: Perfect Timing Game Show (live comedy)

IG: @SawyerComedy, @ptgameshow

X: @SawyerComedy

FB: PT Game Show

www.sawyercomedy.com

This episode was produced by Angie Debelak with post-production editing by Ben Hill Sound.

Thanks for listening to Dr Ben and Friends. Laughter is the best medicine...unless you're treating bowel or bladder incontinence. See you next time!

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Quick heads-up folks: Dr Ben and Friends is your weekly dose of laughs and stories. We celebrate healthcare heroes and pro comics.

This is infotainment-- think popcorn, not prescriptions or medical advice.

If you're feeling funky, see your medical professional. Your health? That's on you. We'll stick to the punchlines.