Also known as: Prostate cancer
Mitchell Brand underwent a radical prostatectomy the day before. The surgery went perfectly, though he is concerned about potential impotence as a complication.
Also known as: Abdominal cancer
Stephanie presents with a massive retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma that has encased her major abdominal arteries. The surgical team performs a high-risk laparotomy, removing her healthy left kidney to gain access and successfully excise the tumor. This is the episode's primary medical case.
Also known as: Twisted bowel
An 8-year-old girl initially dismissed as having stress-related stomach pain. Shaun persists in his concern, eventually diagnosing intestinal malrotation with volvulus (small bowel twisted around the superior mesenteric artery). She goes into hypovolemic shock and requires emergency surgery in the middle of the night. This case drives Shaun's character arc of learning when to trust his instincts despite hierarchical pressures.
A post-operative patient recovering from deviated septum repair. Shaun is assigned to monitor her for post-operative ileus (waiting for flatulence) as part of his scut work.
Also known as: Ear infection
A patient with an ear infection causing muffled hearing and tinnitus, treated with amoxicillin. Shaun unnecessarily orders an MRI (which comes back normal), then struggles to reassure the patient he's healthy when discharging him. This case illustrates Shaun's difficulty with social communication and patient reassurance.