What Is General Surgery?
General surgery, despite the name, is actually a surgical specialty. General surgeons not only perform surgeries for a wide range of common ailments, but are also responsible for patient care before, during, and after surgery. All surgeons must start their training in general surgery; many then go on to focus on another specialty.
What Does a General Surgeon Do?
Some surgeries require surgeons who specialize in certain things, like cardiac (heart) surgeons or neurosurgeons (brain surgeons), but not all. That’s why there are general surgeons. A general surgeon has specialized knowledge of the entire surgical process, from the initial evaluation through preparation, procedure, and post-operative management. A general surgeon understands all nine basic areas of surgery, which are:
- The digestive tract
- The abdomen and its contents
- The skin and soft tissue, including the breasts
- The head and neck,
- The blood vessels and heart
- The endocrine system (hormones and glands)
- Surgical treatment of cancer
- Surgical management of traumatic injuries
- Care of critically ill patients with surgical needs
General surgeons have a broad knowledge of many different diseases and conditions. They will recommend whether you need surgery and what kind of surgery would be appropriate.
General surgeons know:
- The body’s healthy structure and function
- How wounds heal
- How blood flows and clots
- How the immune system functions
- Infections and antibiotics
Because a general surgeon treats a wide variety of people and conditions, they have to meet unique needs.
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