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European Board Certification

What is the FEBS-TS Exam? Complete Guide for Transplant Surgery Candidates

The FEBS-TS is the European fellowship in transplant surgery. This guide covers the exam, its format, eligibility, the topics tested and how to prepare.

What is FEBS-TS?

FEBS-TS is the Fellowship of the European Board of Surgery in Transplant Surgery, issued by the UEMS Section of Surgery in partnership with the European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT). It certifies competency in abdominal organ transplantation.

The examination provides a harmonised European standard covering kidney, liver and pancreas transplantation, donation, machine perfusion, and immunosuppression and rejection.

Exam Format

Part 1 — Written Examination

  • Format: Approximately 100 multiple-choice questions
  • Scope: Kidney, liver, pancreas, donation and immunology
  • Frequency: Held annually

Part 2 — Oral / Viva Examination

  • Format: Structured clinical case discussion
  • Content: Allocation, prioritisation and operative decisions
  • Prerequisite: Pass the written component first

Eligibility Requirements

  • Specialist qualification: A CCT or national equivalent in general surgery.
  • Transplant subspecialty practice: Active transplant surgical practice with appropriate case exposure.
  • ESOT membership: Active membership of the European Society for Organ Transplantation.

Topic Areas

Kidney Transplantation

Living and deceased donor transplantation, technique and complications.

Liver Transplantation

MELD allocation, indications and operative principles.

Pancreas Transplantation

Indications, technique and outcomes.

Donation & Procurement

DBD/DCD donation and organ retrieval.

Machine Perfusion

Normothermic and hypothermic perfusion and the evidence base.

Immunosuppression & Rejection

Banff classification and management of rejection.

Guidelines Tested

  • ESOT position statements — European standards for organ transplantation
  • Banff Classification (2019/2022) — allograft rejection grading
  • KDIGO Guidelines — kidney transplant management
  • MELD allocation frameworks — liver organ allocation principles

Exam Dates and Application

The FEBS-TS examination is held annually through the UEMS Section of Surgery. Applications open in advance of each sitting; confirm the current schedule, fees and eligibility with UEMS and ESOT.

Why FEBS-TS Matters

FEBS-TS is the recognised European subspecialty credential in transplant surgery, referenced by transplant centres across Europe.

Preparation embeds the fast-moving evidence on machine perfusion and the precise rejection classification and allocation frameworks that transplant practice demands.

Frequently asked questions

How do I prepare for the FEBS Transplant Surgery exam?

Know the Banff 2019/2022 rejection classification precisely, the evidence base for normothermic and hypothermic machine perfusion, and MELD-based organ allocation. Practise timed transplant questions and rehearse allocation and prioritisation scenarios for the oral viva.

How many FEBS-TS practice questions are available?

SurgBoardsQ&A provides more than 1,500 transplant surgery practice questions mapped to the FEBS-TS syllabus, each with a detailed, guideline-referenced explanation.

What topics does the FEBS Transplant Surgery exam cover?

The exam covers kidney, liver and pancreas transplantation, donor procurement and machine perfusion, and immunosuppression and rejection.

Is there a free FEBS-TS question bank?

Yes — start with 50 free transplant surgery practice questions, no credit card required.

How SurgBoardsQ&A Helps You Prepare

SurgBoardsQ&A provides 1,500+ practice questions mapped to the exam syllabus, each with a detailed explanation and guideline citation.

Start practising

50 questions free, no credit card required. Filter by board, topic, or difficulty. Explanations cite ESMO and NCCN.

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