Comparison

Case Files Surgery vs Surgical Recall

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Case Files Surgery

Prepare for surgery exams with high-yield clinical cases designed for rapid learning. This app guides you through diagnosis and management, helping you think like a clinician under pressure. Master essential concepts for USMLE and shelf exams with step-by-step reasoning and key takeaways.

Highlights
  • 58 high-yield clinical cases
  • Step-by-step clinical reasoning
  • Key takeaways and rapid review
  • Designed for fast retention
  • Seamless progress tracking
  • Case-based review
Features
Read full description

Pass Surgery—Fast - Prepare for your surgery exams with high-yield clinical cases designed for rapid, focused learning. Case Files: Surgery helps you think like a clinician and perform under pressure. Learn Through Real Clinical Cases - Each case mirrors real exam scenarios, guiding you step-by-step through diagnosis, management, and decision-making. Built for Intense Exam Prep - When time is limited, focus on what matters most: -58 high-yield clinical cases -Step-by-step clinical reasoning -Key takeaways and rapid review -Designed for fast retention Master Surgery for Your Exams - Ideal for USMLE Step 1 and shelf exams, this app helps you prepare efficiently and confidently. Study Anywhere, Anytime -Quick case-based review -Seamless progress tracking -Study in minutes or deep sessions Trusted by Medical Students -Proven Case Files® series -Real-world clinical scenarios -High-yield, exam-focused content -Built for results Written by experienced academic surgeons and educators. Privacy Policy: https://expandedapps.com/privacy-policy/ Terms of Use: https://expandedapps.com/terms-of-use/ Sixth Edition

About

Surgical Recall

This app offers a rapid-fire Q&A format for surgical rotations and shelf exam preparation. It provides accurate, high-yield questions and answers, updated with the latest advances, and includes features like mnemonics and 3D vignette chess for enhanced learning.

Highlights
  • Rapid-fire Q&A format
  • 3D Surgical Vignette Chess
  • Mnemonics and procedure tips
  • Chapter-end reviews
  • Pre/post tests
  • Two-column formatting
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

"Try before you buy" - Download the FREE App, which includes sample content. In-App purchase required to unlock all content. Surgical Recall, 10th Edition is the ultimate on-the-go resource for surgical rotations and shelf exam prep. This rapid-fire Q&A guide delivers fast, accurate answers to high-yield questions across general surgery and subspecialties. Updated with the latest advances, it features 3D Surgical Vignette Chess, mnemonics, procedure tips, and strategic two-column formatting. With chapter-end reviews and pre/post tests, it helps learners assess mastery and build confidence in clinical and OR settings. An ideal resource for learning on the go, Surgical Recall, 10th Edition, provides accurate, on-the-spot answers to the questions you’re most likely to encounter during rotations and on the shelf exam. Dr. Lorne H. Blackbourne and a team of student reviewers have updated this bestselling guide to include the latest advances in both general surgery and surgical subspecialities—all in a rapid-fire question-and-answer format that prepares you for success on exams and beyond. - Provides Rapid-Fire Reviews at the end of most chapters, while a pre- and post-book test evaluate your knowledge, determine your level of mastery, and identify areas for further focus - Contains Three-Dimensional Surgical Vignette Chess in a unique, three-column format for practice in handling patient scenarios and to assess knowledge for USMLE and shelf exams - Includes Surgical Overview and Background sections that offer practice advice and tricks of the trade - Features hundreds of mnemonics, acronyms, tips, prompts, and hints help you master and retain essential knowledge - Uses a strategic two-column format and concise procedure descriptions to prepare you for active participation in the operating suite Content licensed from printed edition ISBN 10: 1975212487 Content licensed from printed edition ISBN 13: 9781975212483 SUBSCRIPTION : Please purchase a yearly auto-renewing subscription to receive content access and continuous updates. Your subscription automatically renews every year, so you always have the latest content. Yearly auto-renewing payments- $47.99 Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Subscription may be managed by the user and auto-renewal can be disabled at any time by going to your device “Settings” and tapping “iTunes & App Store”. Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription, where applicable. If you have any questions or comments, email us any time: support@skyscape.com or call 508-299-3000 Privacy Policy - https://www.skyscape.com/terms-of-service/privacypolicy.aspx Terms and Conditions - https://www.skyscape.com/terms-of-service/licenseagreement.aspx Author(s): Lorne H. Blackbourne Publisher: Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Screenshots

Case Files Surgery4 screens
Surgical Recall4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Case Files Surgery at 50% against Surgical Recall's 0%. Case Files Surgery also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.3) and ads (none vs shown). Surgical Recall's advantage is ratings volume (12 vs 1) and chart position (#191 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Case Files Surgery sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days and Surgical Recall sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $35.49 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Case Files Surgery holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Surgical Recall has 12 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Case Files Surgery's written reviews are positive against 0% of Surgical Recall's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Case Files Surgery ships an update every 17 months, Surgical Recall every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and August 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Case Files Surgery versus Surgical Recall: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCase Files SurgerySurgical Recall
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.3 (12 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings112 — better
Update frequencyEvery 17 monthsEvery 9 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#191 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB147 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperExpanded AppsSkyscape Medpresso Inc

Customer experience

Case Files Surgery

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

Surgical Recall

All ratings12 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Case Files Surgery

Subscriptions5
  • 1 Week$7.997 Days
  • Weekly$11.997 Days
  • 1 Month$14.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Monthly$19.991 Month
  • 1 Year$89.991 Year
One-time3
  • Lifetime Access$24.99
  • Case Files Surgery 6e$39.99
  • Lifetime Access$39.99
5 purchases

Surgical Recall

Subscriptions4
  • 25% off for Limited Period$35.491 Year
  • 20% Off for Limited Period$37.491 Year
  • 15% Off for Limited Period$39.951 Year
Show 1 more
  • Surgical Recall 1 Year Sub$47.991 Year
One-time1
  • Surgical Recall$46.99

Questions

Is Case Files Surgery free?
Case Files Surgery is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Surgical Recall free?
Surgical Recall is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Case Files Surgery or Surgical Recall?
Case Files Surgery is rated higher. Case Files Surgery averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Surgical Recall averages 4.3 from 12 ratings.
Do Case Files Surgery or Surgical Recall have ads?
Surgical Recall shows ads; Case Files Surgery does not.
Which is updated more often, Case Files Surgery or Surgical Recall?
Case Files Surgery ships an update every 17 months, and Surgical Recall every 9 months. Most recently, Case Files Surgery was updated on September 20, 2026 and Surgical Recall on August 10, 2026.

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