General surgery is a discipline of surgery having a central core of knowledge embracing anatomy, physiology, metabolism, immunology, nutrition, pathology, wound healing, shock and resuscitation, intensive care, and neoplasia, which are common to all surgical specialties. In most areas, the surgeon will be expected to be
competent in diagnosing and treating the full spectrum of disease.
A general surgeon has specialized knowledge and experience related to the diagnosis, preoperative, operative, and postoperative management, including the management of complications, in nine primary components of surgery, all of which are essential to the education of a broadly based surgeon:
- Alimentary tract
- Abdomen and its contents
- Breast, skin, and soft tissue
- Head and neck, including trauma, vascular, endocrine, congenital and oncologic disorders - particularly tumors of the skin, salivary glands, thyroid, parathyroid, and the oral cavity
- Vascular system, excluding the intracranial vessels and heart
- Endocrine system, including thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and endocrine pancreas
- Surgical oncology, including coordinated multimodality management of the cancer patient by screening, surveillance, surgical adjunctive therapy, rehabilitation, and follow-up
- Comprehensive management of trauma, including musculoskeletal, hand, and head injuries. The responsibility for all phases of care of the injured patient is an essential component of general surgery.
- Complete care of critically ill patients with underlying surgical conditions, in the emergency room, intensive care unit, and trauma/burn units
LAPAROSCOPIC AND OPEN ABDOMINAL SURGERIES
For the treatment of both benign and malignant diseases. Links to patient education handouts provided by the American College of Surgeons
- Appendectomy (English) (Spanish)
- Cholecystectomy (English)(Spanish)(Chinese)
- Gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) surgery
- Colorectal Surgery including hemorrhoidectomy, fistula, and fissure treatment
- Fundoplication for hiatal hernia and reflux disease
- Anterior exposure for spine surgery
- Thoracoabdominal trauma including rib fractures, spleen, liver, and intestinal injuries
LAPAROSCOPIC AND OPEN BARIATRIC SURGERY FOR WEIGHT LOSS
Including comprehensive preoperative and postoperative care utilizing a multidisciplinary team approach
- Sleeve gastrectomy
- Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
- Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band
- Revisional bariatric surgery
HERNIA SURGERY AND ABDOMINAL WALL RECONSTRUCTION
BREAST SURGERY
Utilizing both surgical and office based procedures for both benign breast diseases and breast cancer
- Lumpectomy
- Mastectomy
- Sentinel node mapping and biopsy
- Ultrasound based therapies
- Stereotactic breast biopsies
- Treatment of breast cysts, lumps, infections, fistulas, and abscesses
ENDOCRINE SURGERY
- Thyroidectomy
- Adrenalectomy
- Parathyroidectomy
SKIN AND SOFT TISSUE DISEASES
- skin cancer including melanoma
- cellulitis, phlegmon, abscesses
- lipoma, cysts
- pilonidal disease
- hidradenitis
VENOUS SURGERY & VASCULAR ACCESS
- Treatment for varicose veins and spider veins
- Stab phlebectomy
- Sclerotherapy
- Endovenous Ablation Therapy (Venefit)
- Implanted infusion ports and tunneled catheters including dialysis access catheters
SKIN AND SOFT TISSUE DISEASES
- skin cancer including melanoma
- cellulitis, phlegmon, abscesses
- lipoma, cysts
- pilonidal disease
- hidradenitis
COMPREHENSIVE WOUND CARE
- Providing a multimodal approach to a wide variety of wounds ranging from traumatic wounds to diabetic and venous stasis ulcers
- topical wound care
- debridements
- biologic skin substitutes
- skin grafts
- Unna wraps
- negative pressure wound therapy