General Surgery
Providing a Range of Surgical Procedures
General Surgery is a specialty that treats a broad range of conditions. A General surgeon has specialized knowledge and experience in the 9 primary components of surgery:
- Alimentary tract
- Abdomen and digestive system
- Breast, skin, and soft tissue
- Endocrine system
- Surgical critical care
- Surgical oncology
- Trauma (including musculoskeletal, hand, and head injuries)
- Emergency surgeries (such as appendectomy or splenectomy)
- Cancer surgeries
A general surgeon has a broad body of knowledge and expertise in a variety of medical conditions. He or she understands how a person’s condition and general health determine their needs before, during, and after surgery. Patients who are elderly, terminally ill, morbidly obese, or in poor health all have specific needs and risk factors for surgery that must be considered.
Training
General surgeons are medical doctors who have specialized in the surgical treatment of illness and injury. After obtaining an MD degree, all surgeons must a complete a surgical residency of at least five years in an accredited program before applying for board certification. After that, a general surgeon can begin practicing, whereas a surgeon who wishes to specialize will acquire additional training through a fellowship in their chosen sub-specialty.
