Heuristics are rules of thumb. Rarely described in surgical or other publications, they are an essential part of safe and expert performance. This study translates such implicit or procedural knowledge into explicit or declarative knowledge, with a view to improving both training and retraining of surgeons in the steps of dissection. Tools used include ordinary observation accompanied by introspection, and study of operative videos. Validation of the value of such heuristics is yet to be achieved.