Absite Prep Exam 2026 Study Guide
1. Heller myotomy a surgical procedure in which the muscles of the cardia (lower esophageal
sphincter or LES) are cut, allowing food and liquids to pass to the stomach;
treats achalasia
2. Killian triangle Area of potential weakness situated behind the esophagus at the level of
the cricopharyngeus muscle
3. which vagus is anteri- LARP
or vs posterior? left anterior, right posterior
4. what does the right va- posterior vagal trunk, celiac plexus, criminal nerve of Grassi
gus become?
5. what does the left va- anterior vagal trunk, gastric plexus, liver branches
gus become?
6. criminal nerve of Gras- from right vagus, causes persistently high acid levels post op if left after
si vagotomy, supplies the posterior fundus
, Absite Prep Exam 2026 Study Guide
7. types of hiatal hernia type 1: sliding hiatal hernia (~95%).
type 2: paraesophageal hiatal hernia with the gastro-esophageal junction
in a normal position.
type 3: mixed or compound type, paraesophageal hiatal hernia with dis-
placed gastro-esophageal junction.
type 4: mixed or compound type hiatal hernia with additional herniation
of viscera (most commonly colon).
8. phi angle A normal phi angle is ranging between 4 and 58 degrees. The phi angle is
a useful measure in assessing of gastric lap band position. This patient is
need to revise the position of the slipped band.
9. treatment for slipped plain x-ray (measure phi angle) or swallow study, deflate the band
gastric band
10. ddx: tachycardic, fever, leak until proven otherwise (other complications = bleed, PE); if there is any
abdominal pain after suspicion of leak, go straight to the OR because swallow studies miss 30%
gastric bypass of leaks and CT misses 20% leaks (imaging not reliable enough)
1. Heller myotomy a surgical procedure in which the muscles of the cardia (lower esophageal
sphincter or LES) are cut, allowing food and liquids to pass to the stomach;
treats achalasia
2. Killian triangle Area of potential weakness situated behind the esophagus at the level of
the cricopharyngeus muscle
3. which vagus is anteri- LARP
or vs posterior? left anterior, right posterior
4. what does the right va- posterior vagal trunk, celiac plexus, criminal nerve of Grassi
gus become?
5. what does the left va- anterior vagal trunk, gastric plexus, liver branches
gus become?
6. criminal nerve of Gras- from right vagus, causes persistently high acid levels post op if left after
si vagotomy, supplies the posterior fundus
, Absite Prep Exam 2026 Study Guide
7. types of hiatal hernia type 1: sliding hiatal hernia (~95%).
type 2: paraesophageal hiatal hernia with the gastro-esophageal junction
in a normal position.
type 3: mixed or compound type, paraesophageal hiatal hernia with dis-
placed gastro-esophageal junction.
type 4: mixed or compound type hiatal hernia with additional herniation
of viscera (most commonly colon).
8. phi angle A normal phi angle is ranging between 4 and 58 degrees. The phi angle is
a useful measure in assessing of gastric lap band position. This patient is
need to revise the position of the slipped band.
9. treatment for slipped plain x-ray (measure phi angle) or swallow study, deflate the band
gastric band
10. ddx: tachycardic, fever, leak until proven otherwise (other complications = bleed, PE); if there is any
abdominal pain after suspicion of leak, go straight to the OR because swallow studies miss 30%
gastric bypass of leaks and CT misses 20% leaks (imaging not reliable enough)
