General surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis, preoperative, operative, and postoperative management of a wide range of conditions affecting various parts of the body, primarily involving the abdomen, digestive tract, breast, skin, soft tissues, endocrine system, and sometimes trauma and critical care.
General surgeons are trained to perform surgeries on organs such as the stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, thyroid, and skin. They also manage emergency surgical cases like appendicitis, hernias, and bowel obstruction.
This specialty combines both elective and emergency surgical care and often works in multidisciplinary teams for comprehensive patient management. Advances in minimally invasive techniques, such as laparoscopic and robotic surgery, have revolutionized general surgery by reducing recovery times and surgical complications. Besides performing surgeries, general surgeons also play a crucial role in diagnosing surgical conditions, managing perioperative care, and collaborating with other specialists. They must have a broad understanding of anatomy, pathology, and surgical techniques to treat a wide spectrum of diseases effectively.
- Abdominal surgeries (appendectomy, cholecystectomy, bowel resections)
- Breast surgery (lumpectomy, mastectomy)
- Endocrine surgery (thyroid, parathyroid)
- Hernia repair
- Skin and soft tissue surgeries
- Trauma surgery and emergency care
