Always cauterize with the lighter before stapling; the burn stops bleeding and you save a precious second on cleanup.

Remember to drag the vacuum in slow circles. A quick tap misses shards and costs bonus points at the end.

When the heart rate flatlines, mash the defibrillator rhythmically instead of spamming it - three taps usually revives instantly.

If you overheat the lighter, swap to the gel for a moment. The cooldown is faster than waiting for a full reset.

Look for hidden tools in each scene. The car battery upgrade in level 4 turns the next boss surgery into an easy clear.

Staples count as combo hits - chain them after vacuuming to push your star rating into gold territory.

Practice on the tutorial patient to perfect the timeline. A flawless run gives you enough bonus blood for the tougher surgeries.