General Surgery

The Ultimate Guide To General Surgery

When many people think about surgeons, they mostly imagine general surgeons. General surgery is a surgical discipline that offers knowledge in anatomy, metabolism, physiology, nutrition, pathology, immunology, shock and resuscitation, wound healing, neoplasia, and intensive care, common to all surgical specialties.

What do general surgeons do?

General surgeons have specialized knowledge and expertise related to the whole surgery process. That includes initial evaluation, preparation, and operative and post-operative management. They guide the patient on what to expect during the surgery, how to prepare, and how to manage complications afterward. They usually specialize in the nine key components of surgery, which are essential to the education and training of broad-based surgeons.

• Abdomen and its contents
• Alimentary tract
• Breast, soft tissue, and skin
• Head and neck, including endocrine, vascular, trauma, congenital, and oncologic disorders
• Vascular system, excluding the heart and intracranial vessels
• The endocrine system; glands and hormones
• Surgical treatment for traumatic injuries, including head, hand, and musculoskeletal injuries
• Surgical cancer treatments
• Complete care for critically sick patients with underlying surgical issues in the intensive care unit, emergency room, and trauma or burn units.

In addition to knowing how to diagnose and perform a procedure, general surgeons also know the following to provide the utmost care.

• How wounds heal
• The body’s healthy functions and structure
• How blood flows and clots
• Infections and antibiotics
• How the immune system works

Common General Surgery Procedures

General surgeons can conduct numerous types of surgeries thanks to their broad-based education. Some usually specialize in specific procedures, but others love the flexibility of performing different surgeries.

Appendectomy
The appendix could become blocked, causing it to rupture. That causes a lot of pain and poses a high risk for severe infections from appendicitis. An appendectomy is a surgery to remove the appendix, and general surgeons can do it as an open or laparoscopic appendectomy, depending on its severity. Open surgery takes longer, requires a more extended hospital stay, and heals slower than laparoscopic surgery.

Breast surgery
Breast cancer is among the most common types of cancer in the US. General surgeons perform breast surgery procedures like mastectomy and lumpectomy to help prevent and treat it. They can also perform cosmetic procedures like breast reduction, alignment, tram flap reconstruction, diep flap reconstruction, and breast implants.

Colon surgery
Also known as a colon resection surgery or colectomy, this procedure involves removing a section or all of the colon. It is necessary if part or all of the colon stops working or has colon cancer, significant bowel obstruction, precancerous conditions, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis.

GERD surgery
Gastroesophageal reflux disease causes severe acid reflux or heartburn because of an issue in the lower esophageal sphincter. A malfunctioning LES prevents stomach contents from going into the lower esophagus.

There are different GERD surgery procedures that the surgeon can perform as open or laparoscopic procedures. These procedures focus on closing or narrowing the esophagus’ lower end, preventing acid reflux. Fundoplication is the most common procedure, where the surgeon reinforces and tightens the lower esophagus and strengthens the sphincter using the upper stomach section. Linx surgery is another standard procedure, where the surgeon wraps a small ring of magnetic titanium beads around the lower esophagus. They can also create skin folds at the esophagus base using a transoral incision-less fundoplication. They do that by inserting an EsophyX device into the esophagus through the mouth. The final procedure, the Stretta procedure, uses an endoscope and radiofrequency energy.

Gallbladder surgery
The gallbladder can become inflamed or blocked because of the formation of gallstones that might be too big for the gallbladder to pass naturally. A gallbladder surgery helps remove the gallbladder instead of enduring the pain as the patient waits for the gallstones to break down.

Hernia surgery
Hernias happen when the lining protecting internal organs develop a tiny hole. The organs neighboring the gap then squeeze through the hole and might cause a slight bulge visible through the skin. The surgeon can use traditional hernia repair, transabdominal preperitoneal surgery, or extraperitoneal surgery.

Liver surgery
Also known as a hepatectomy or liver resection surgery, this surgery involves removing part of the liver. If the rest of the liver is healthy, patients can have up to two-thirds of their liver removed. However, if they undergo total hepatectomy, they need a transplant.

Liver surgery is necessary when the patient suffers from hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, metastatic colorectal cancer, adenoma, liver cysts, or gallstones in the intrahepatic ducts.

Pancreas surgery
Surgeons use this surgery to treat pancreas cancer, pancreatitis, and benign pancreas tumors. There are several procedures, including laparoscopic, Whipple, distal pancreatectomy, total pancreatectomy, or segmental pancreatectomy.

Transplant surgery
General surgeons see patients through pre-operative, operative, and post-operative stages of organ transplants like kidney, liver, pancreas, and sometimes small bowels.

Lipoma surgery
Lipomas are small lumps of fatty cells under the skin that sometimes cause a visible bulge on the skin’s exterior. While not cancerous, they can be painful, especially if they appear above a nerve.

When You Should See a General Surgeon

Surgery is usually a last-option treatment for many patients and can be overwhelming because of the procedure duration, pain, complications, and recovery period. However, it comes at a time when patients must see a general surgeon.

When requiring immediate medical attention
Sometimes, patients experience injuries or illnesses that require surgical intervention immediately. That includes internal bleeding or intestinal obstruction, or perforation.

When other treatments don’t work
Sometimes, patients suffer from certain illnesses that doctors try to manage or treat using medication or other per-operative means like medication or therapy. If the disease does not get better or worsens, the doctor will recommend visiting a general surgeon. Patients must also see general surgeons for postoperative pain management, wound healing, and infection prevention.

When looking for a weight-loss surgery
Weight loss surgeries, especially around the abdomen, have become some of the most popular procedures among men and women. While some people might visit plastic surgeons, general surgeons are the ones who primarily conduct those procedures.

General surgeons are well-versed in different surgical procedures. You can visit them following symptoms of specific illnesses or after a referral from your primary caregiver. Before choosing a general surgeon, look at their credentials, experience, expertise, employees, references, and ethical standing. If you are a Miami, Florida, resident, consider visiting Dr. Fisizer at Elite Surgical Miami. The board-certified surgeon has over a decade of experience and uses state-of-the-art technology for robotic-assisted surgery.

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