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Allen KamravaMD · MBA · FACS · FASCRS

For residents & fellows

Colorectal Surgery Board Study Guides

Five sets of board-review notes for colon and rectal surgery, written by hand and given away since 2014. The newest condenses all seventy-two chapters of the current fourth edition of the ASCRS textbook. No sign-up, no email, no gate — they are a PDF and a link, the way they have always been.

Allen Kamrava, MD, MBA, FACS, FASCRS· Board-certified in Colon & Rectal Surgery and General Surgery· Published · Reviewed

Free to download, copy, and pass on to whoever is sitting the exam after you.

Where these came from

Fifteen years of the same habit.

The first set was written in October 2011, chapter by chapter through the first edition of the ASCRS textbook, during the Colon and Rectal Surgery fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. The oral-boards notes came two years later, in the first year of practice at Cedars-Sinai, drawn from the ASCRS textbook and from Improved Outcomes in Colon and Rectal Surgery. The CARSEP notes followed in 2014.

The fourth-edition notes are September 2026, written as Associate Teaching Faculty at Cedars-Sinai rather than as a fellow — seventy-two chapters, rewritten against the current edition rather than patched. Where the new edition split a topic apart, the notes split with it. Where it reversed something written down years earlier, the line changed instead of being left standing.

They are working notes, not a textbook. Dr. Kamrava says so himself in every introduction, and the typos are still in there. They are posted because when he was the one preparing, there was very little to work from.

“Reading a textbook cover to cover once every several years is not how anyone actually stays up to date. Working through it and condensing it is.”
— from the introduction to the fourth-edition notes, September 2026
The reference shelf in Dr. Kamrava's office at 435 North Bedford Drive, holding the colon and rectal surgery textbooks the study guides were condensed from
The shelf the notes were condensed from.

Contents

Every chapter in all 5 guides — 218 of them.

So you can tell before you download whether the thing you are revising is in here. Page numbers are the document's own.

Condensed Notes of the ASCRS Textbook, Fourth Edition

September 2026 · 210 pp · 72 chapters

Perioperative & endoscopy (10)

  1. 1 · Anatomy and Embryology of the Colon, Rectum, and Anus6
  2. 2 · Colonic Physiology9
  3. 3 · Anorectal Physiology12
  4. 4 · Endoscopy15
  5. 5 · Endoscopic Management of Polyps and Endolumenal Surgery18
  6. 6 · Preoperative Evaluation in Colorectal Patients21
  7. 7 · Optimizing Outcomes with Enhanced Recovery24
  8. 8 · General Postoperative Complications27
  9. 9 · Anastomotic Construction30
  10. 10 · Anastomotic Complications33

Anorectal disease (9)

  1. 11 · Hemorrhoids36
  2. 12 · Anal Fissure and Anal Stenosis39
  3. 13 · Cryptoglandular Abscess and Fistula42
  4. 14 · Rectourethral and Complex Fistulas45
  5. 15 · Rectovaginal Fistula48
  6. 16 · Pilonidal Disease and Hidradenitis Suppurativa51
  7. 17 · Dermatology and Pruritus Ani54
  8. 18 · Sexually Transmitted Infections of the Colon and Rectum57
  9. 19 · Anal Intraepithelial Neoplasia60

Malignant disease (18)

  1. 20 · Anal Cancer62
  2. 21 · Presacral Tumors65
  3. 22 · Sporadic and Inherited Colorectal Cancer68
  4. 23 · Management of Malignant Polyps71
  5. 24 · Colorectal Cancer — Preoperative Evaluation and Staging74
  6. 25 · Colon Cancer Surgical Treatment — Principles of Colectomy77
  7. 26 · Rectal Cancer — Neoadjuvant Therapy80
  8. 27 · Rectal Cancer — Local Excision82
  9. 28 · Rectal Cancer — Nonoperative Management84
  10. 29 · Proctectomy for Rectal Cancer87
  11. 30 · Colorectal Cancer — Postoperative Adjuvant Therapy and Surveillance90
  12. 31 · Colorectal Cancer — Management of Distant Metastases93
  13. 32 · Locally Recurrent Rectal Cancer96
  14. 33 · Appendiceal Neoplasms99
  15. 34 · GIST, Neuroendocrine Tumors, and Lymphoma101
  16. 35 · Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC104
  17. 36 · Colorectal Cancer — Minimally Invasive Surgery107
  18. 37 · Minimally Invasive Complete Mesocolic Excision110

Benign colorectal disease (18)

  1. 38 · Colonic Diverticular Disease113
  2. 39 · Large Bowel Obstruction116
  3. 40 · Lower GI Hemorrhage119
  4. 41 · Endometriosis122
  5. 42 · Trauma of the Colon and Rectum125
  6. 43 · Inflammatory Bowel Disease — Pathobiology128
  7. 44 · IBD Diagnosis and Evaluation130
  8. 45 · Medical Management of Ulcerative Colitis133
  9. 46 · Medical Therapy for Crohn’s Disease136
  10. 47 · Anorectal Crohn’s Disease139
  11. 48 · Crohn’s Disease — Surgical Management142
  12. 49 · Ulcerative Colitis — Surgical Management145
  13. 50 · Complications of the Pelvic Pouch148
  14. 51 · Infectious Colitis151
  15. 52 · Clostridium difficile Infection154
  16. 53 · Radiation, Microscopic, and Ischemic Colitis157
  17. 54 · Intestinal Stomas160
  18. 55 · Abdominal Wall Reconstruction and Parastomal Hernia Repair163

Pelvic floor disorders (10)

  1. 56 · Functional Disorders After Colorectal Surgery and IBS166
  2. 57 · Common Tests for the Pelvic Floor169
  3. 58 · Evaluation of Constipation and Treatment of the Abdominal Component172
  4. 59 · Treatment of Difficult and Obstructive Defecation175
  5. 60 · Rectal Prolapse178
  6. 61 · Fecal Incontinence — Evaluation and Treatment181
  7. 62 · Low Anterior Resection Syndrome184
  8. 63 · Sexual Function After Colorectal Surgery in Women186
  9. 64 · Male Genitourinary Dysfunction as a Consequence of Colorectal Surgery189
  10. 65 · Middle and Anterior Pelvic Compartment191

Miscellaneous (7)

  1. 66 · Pediatric Colorectal Disorders194
  2. 67 · Considerations for Geriatric Patients Undergoing Colorectal Surgery197
  3. 68 · Healthcare Economics199
  4. 69 · Ethical Considerations201
  5. 70 · Welcome to Litigation204
  6. 71 · Quality206
  7. 72 · Practice Management208
Download Condensed Notes of the ASCRS Textbook, Fourth Edition (PDF, 4.0 MB) ↓

Colorectal Surgery Oral Boards Study Guide

Fall 2013 · 79 pp · 48 topics

  1. Anal Cancer1
  2. Anal Stricture3
  3. Anastomotic Leak4
  4. Appendiceal Tumors5
  5. Carcinoid6
  6. Colon Cancer7
  7. Colonic Volvulus12
  8. Constipation14
  9. Medical Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease16
  10. Crohn's Disease19
  11. Diverticulitis20
  12. Endometriosis22
  13. Familial Adenomatous Polyposis23
  14. Fecal Incontinence25
  15. Anal Fissure27
  16. Fistula-in-Ano28
  17. GI Bleed30
  18. Hemorrhoids31
  19. HNPCC — Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colon Cancer33
  20. Ileostomy Complications — Ischemia34
  21. IPAA Complications36
  22. Polypectomy38
  23. Pediatric Anorectal Conditions40
  24. Pelvic Floor Disorders42
  25. Pilonidal Disease43
  26. Presacral Tumors44
  27. Pruritus Ani46
  28. Rectal Cancer47
  29. Abdominoperineal Resection50
  30. Adjuvant Therapy for Colorectal Cancer51
  31. Recurrent Rectal Cancer and Colorectal Liver & Lung Metastasis52
  32. Radiation Proctitis54
  33. Rectal Prolapse (Rectal Procidentia)55
  34. Rectovaginal Fistula56
  35. Solitary Rectal Ulcer Syndrome58
  36. Sexually Transmitted Diseases59
  37. Trauma61
  38. Ulcerative Colitis & Proctitis62
  39. Ureteral Injuries64
  40. Idiopathic Proctitis65
  41. Mesenteric Ischemia68
  42. Large Bowel Obstruction69
  43. Right Lower Quadrant Pain70
  44. SIRS — Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome71
  45. EEA Insertion — Disrupted Distal Linear Staple Line72
  46. Other Intraoperative Challenges73
  47. Postoperative Anastomotic Complications74
  48. Urologic Complications of Colorectal Surgery75
Download Colorectal Surgery Oral Boards Study Guide (PDF, 2.0 MB) ↓

CARSEP VII & VIII Review Notes

October 2014 · 13 pp · 3 sections

  • CARSEP Review VII — Anorectal
  • CARSEP Review VII — Colon and Rectal Neoplasm
  • CARSEP Review VIII
Download CARSEP VII & VIII Review Notes (PDF, 0.6 MB) ↓

Condensed Notes of the ASCRS Textbook, Second Edition

2013 · 74 pp · 44 topics

  1. 1 · Anatomy & Embryology5
  2. 2 · Physiology: Colonic8
  3. 3 · Anorectal Physiology9
  4. 4 · Physiologic Testing10
  5. 11 · Benign Anorectal: Hemorrhoids12
  6. 12 · Benign Anorectal: Anal Fissure13
  7. 13 · Anorectal Abscess and Fistula14
  8. 14 · Benign Anorectal: Rectovaginal Fistulas16
  9. 15 · Pilonidal Disease & Hidradenitis Suppurativa18
  10. 16 · Dermatology and Pruritus Ani19
  11. 17 · Sexually Transmitted Diseases20
  12. 18 · Fecal Incontinence22
  13. 19 · Pelvic Floor Disorders24
  14. 20 · Anal Cancer25
  15. 21 · Presacral Tumors27
  16. 22 · Benign Colon: Diverticular Disease29
  17. 23 · Colonic Volvulus31
  18. 24 · Lower Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage33
  19. 25 · Endometriosis34
  20. 26 · Colon and Rectal Trauma and Rectal Foreign Bodies35
  21. 27 · IBD: Diagnosis & Evaluation36
  22. 28 · Medical Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease38
  23. 29 · Surgical Management of Ulcerative Colitis40
  24. 30 · Surgery for Crohn’s Disease41
  25. 31 · Intestinal Stomas43
  26. 32 · Constipation and Functional Disorders45
  27. 33 · Rectal Prolapse47
  28. 34 · Other Benign Colorectal Disorders49
  29. 36 · Polyps53
  30. 37 · Hereditary Colon Cancer55
  31. 38 · Colorectal Cancer: Epidemiology, Etiology & Genetics (incomplete)59
  32. 39 · Colorectal Cancer: Screening60
  33. 40 · Colon Cancer Evaluation and Staging61
  34. 41 · Surgical Management of Colon Cancer62
  35. 42 · The Preoperative Staging of Rectal Carcinoma63
  36. 43 · Local Excision of Rectal Cancer64
  37. 44 · Surgical Treatment of Rectal Cancer (incomplete)65
  38. 45 · Locally Advanced/Recurrent Rectal Cancer66
  39. 46 · Adjuvant Therapy for Colorectal Cancer67
  40. 47 · Colorectal Cancer: Metastatic (Palliation)68
  41. 48 · Colorectal Cancer Surveillance69
  42. 49 · Miscellaneous Neoplasms70
  43. 50 · Pediatric Colorectal Disorders (incomplete)72
  44. 60 · Quality74
Download Condensed Notes of the ASCRS Textbook, Second Edition (PDF, 2.8 MB) ↓

Colorectal Written Boards Study Guide

October 2011 · 76 pp · 54 topics

  1. 1 · Anatomy & Embryology of Colon, Rectum & Anus5
  2. 2 · Physiology: Colonic9
  3. 3 · Anal Physiology10
  4. 4 · Physiologic Testing11
  5. 7 · Endoluminal Ultrasound13
  6. 8 · Preoperative Management: Risk Assessment, Evaluation & Bowel Prep14
  7. 9 · Postoperative Management: Pain, Anesthesia, Fluids & Diet15
  8. 10 · Postoperative Complications16
  9. 11 · Benign Anorectal: Hemorrhoids17
  10. 12 · Benign Anorectal: Anal Fissure18
  11. 13 · Benign Anorectal: Abscess and Fistula19
  12. 14 · Benign Anorectal: Rectovaginal Fistulas20
  13. 15 · Pilonidal Disease & Hidradenitis Suppurativa22
  14. 16 · Perianal Dermatology and Pruritus Ani23
  15. 17 · Sexually Transmitted Diseases24
  16. 18 · Benign Colon: Diverticular Disease26
  17. 19 · Colonic Volvulus28
  18. 20 · Lower Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage29
  19. 21 · Endometriosis30
  20. 22 · Colon and Rectal Trauma and Rectal Foreign Bodies31
  21. 23 · Colorectal Cancer: Epidemiology, Etiology & Genetics32
  22. 24 · Screening for Colorectal Neoplasms33
  23. 25 · Polyps34
  24. 26 · Polyposis Syndromes36
  25. 27 · Colon Cancer Evaluation and Staging38
  26. 28 · Surgical Management of Colon Cancer39
  27. 29 · The Preoperative Staging of Rectal Carcinoma40
  28. 30 · Surgical Treatment of Rectal Cancer41
  29. 31 · Adjuvant Therapy for Colorectal Cancer42
  30. 32 · Colorectal Cancer Surveillance43
  31. 33 · Management of Locally Advanced & Recurrent Rectal Cancer44
  32. 34 · Colorectal Cancer: Metastatic (Palliation)45
  33. 35 · Anal Cancer46
  34. 36 · Presacral Tumors48
  35. 37 · Miscellaneous Tumors49
  36. 38 · Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colon Cancer51
  37. 39 · IBD: Diagnosis & Evaluation53
  38. 40 · Medical Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease54
  39. 41 · Surgical Management of Ulcerative Colitis56
  40. 42 · Surgery for Crohn's Disease57
  41. 43 · Less-Common Benign Colorectal Disorders58
  42. 44 · Intestinal Stomas62
  43. 45 · Stoma Complications63
  44. 46 · Incontinence64
  45. 47 · Rectal Prolapse66
  46. 48 · Constipation67
  47. 49 · Pelvic Floor Disorders69
  48. 51 · Pediatric: Hirschsprung's and Other Conditions70
  49. 54 · Critically Reviewing Literature73
  50. Ileoanal Pouch Procedure for UC & FAP74
  51. Ligation of Intersphincteric Fistula Tract (LIFT)75
  52. Gracilis Flap Notes75
  53. Rectocele Repair with Mesh75
  54. Sacral Nerve Stimulation for Fecal Incontinence76
Download Colorectal Written Boards Study Guide (PDF, 1.4 MB) ↓

Before you rely on them

What these are not.

  • Not a textbook

    They condense the ASCRS textbook and the CARSEP reviews. They do not replace either, and Dr. Kamrava's own introductions say they are not enough on their own.

  • Not proofread

    These are first-draft notes with spelling and grammatical errors left in. He decided posting them beat polishing them.

  • Mind the edition

    Only the 2026 set follows the current fourth edition. The 2011 and 2013 notes are condensed from the first and second, and Dr. Kamrava's own introduction to the second says plainly that drugs, operations and staging systems in it have since been overturned. They are kept as a record, not as guidance.

  • Not interchangeable

    The oral-boards notes will not carry you through the written exam — his words — and the written notes are not shaped for the orals.

Found an error of fact? Dr. Kamrava has asked for corrections since the day these were posted. Send it in and it gets fixed.

Also here

If you came for the notes.

In his own words

The note that has accompanied these files since 2014, unchanged.

I  learned too late during my general surgical training that I needed to make study guides for every chapter I read. When I began my fellowship for Colon and Rectal Surgery, I took notes for every single chapter. In preparing for my written and oral boards, I combined these notes and successfully used them to pass both these exams. While it may seem they are the same notes, they are not. My notes for the written boards come primarily from the ASCRS textbook. My notes for the oral boards combined pertinent topics from the ASCRS textbook as well as from other sources and material. In preparing for the written boards, I read the 2nd edition of ASCRS and updated all the notes. Those second-edition notes are now posted here as well, along with a complete set for the fourth edition. The notes taken from the 1st edition of the ASCRS textbook are below too, kept as a record. I provide the following to assist Medical Students, Residents and Fellows in their studies. Much of what is below is in its own draft forms, meaning they are chalk full of spelling and grammatical errors. If you find any errors of information, please do let me know.
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