What is general surgery?
General surgery is a medical speciality where procedures are available to remove disease and to repair injuries and function on almost any part of the body. The focus is mainly on treating abdominal organs, including the following:
- oesophagus
- stomach
- small bowel
- colon
- liver
- pancreas
- gallbladder
- bile ducts
- thyroid gland
What is a general surgeon?
General surgeons deal with diseases and abnormalities related to these organs, including abnormalities of the skin, breast and soft tissue; trauma; peripheral vascular surgery; and hernias.
Common general surgery procedures include:
Endoscopy (gastroscopy and colonoscopy)
A thin, long tube is inserted into the body to view tissue or an internal organ. This is done to check for any abnormalities and to ensure an accurate diagnosis. It can also be used during minor surgery and to do imaging.
Upper-GIT surgery (oesophago-gastric)
A trained general surgeon or gastroenterologist (specialist who deals with GI tract-related conditions) performs this procedure. A tube with a camera is used to view the lining of the upper GI tract for any abnormalities.
Lower-GIT surgery (colorectal)
This is surgery used to treat conditions and diseases affecting the lower gastrointestinal tract, including the bowel and small intestine.
Hepatobiliary surgery (cholecystectomy and cholangiograms)
This type of surgery treats conditions related to the bile ducts, gallbladder, liver and pancreas. These conditions range from infections to more serious conditions, such as cancer of these organs.
Trauma surgery
This is a term for procedures that treat severe, life-threatening organ-related injuries, including hernias (when an organ pushes through a muscle or tissue) and ulcers.
Endocrine surgery
Your endocrine system is made up of glands, including the thyroid, adrenal, parathyroid and endocrine glands. When these glands malfunction, they can be treated with endocrine surgery, which is administered by an endocrinologist.
Life Healthcare general surgeon excellence
Our general surgeons have advanced fellowship training, including training in colon and rectal surgery, minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery, surgical critical care, trauma and acute care, emergency general surgery and bariatric surgery. We are aiming to expand our services to cater for women with breast cancer.
If you suspect you have a general surgery-related condition, talk to your doctor, who can refer you to one of our general surgery units. Rest assured, patient care is our main priority. Using our leading technology, we will provide accurate diagnosis and treatment.
General surgeon near me
For further information, find a general surgery unit near you.