General surgeons are doctors who specialize in surgical procedures. Surgery is any procedure that alters body tissues to diagnose or treat a medical condition. A general surgeon is part of a surgical team that also includes an anesthesiologist, nurses, and surgical technicians.

What Does a General Surgeon Do?

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

What Are the Different Methods of Surgery?

Depending on the type of surgery, there are several surgery methods that may be performed:

Open surgery

An Open surgery means the cutting of skin and tissues so that the surgeon has a full view of the structures or organs involved. Examples of open surgery are the removal of the organs, such as the gallbladder or kidneys.

Minimally invasive surgery

Minimally invasive surgery is any technique involved in surgery that does not require a large incision. This relatively new approach allows the patient to recuperate faster with less pain. Not all conditions are suitable for minimally invasive surgery.

Many surgery techniques now fall under minimally invasive surgery:

• Laparoscopy
• Endoscopy
• Arthroscopy
• Bronchoscopy
• Cystoscopy
• Gastroscopy
• Hysteroscopy
• Laryngoscopy
• Sigmoidoscopy