Get to Know More about The Role of General Surgeons

Get to Know More about the Role of General Surgeons

Surgeons are medical specialists who treat disease, injury or emergency conditions in the body through surgical methods (operative) and drugs. To become a surgeon, a person must complete his education and profession as a general practitioner, then complete a specialist education in surgery.

Quoted from https://drpleatman.com/ in practice, surgeons often receive referrals from general practitioners or other specialists regarding the condition of patients who require surgery. Then, the surgeon will carry out a diagnosis according to his expertise and knowledge to determine whether or not a surgical procedure is necessary.

In treating patients, general surgeons are in charge of treating patients before, during, and after surgical procedures. The surgeon will work closely with the anesthetist and nurses during the surgical procedure.

General Surgeon Subspecialty

After completing a specialist program, a general surgeon can deepen his expertise in surgery by pursuing subspecialty education. The following are subspecialties of general surgeons:

  1. Digestive or gastrointestinal surgery
  2. Pediatric surgery
  3. Neurosurgery
  4. Oncology surgery
  5. Oral and maxillofacial surgery
  6. Orthopedic surgery
  7. Breast surgery
  8. Gynecological surgery
  9. endocrine surgery
  10. Vascular surgery (vascular and endovascular)
  11. Accidents and injuries (traumatology)
  12. Transplant care and surgery (organ grafts)

Actions that can be performed by general surgeons

There are several actions that can be performed by a general surgeon, namely:

Consultation, information, and education to patients and their families regarding their illness

Physical examination of certain conditions, for example a physical examination of hemorrhoids

Diagnosis of disease based on physical examination and supporting examinations, such as laparoscopy, endoscopy, ultrasound, X-rays, CT scans, MRI, and PET scans

Biopsy or tissue sampling, for example on lumps or tumors in certain body parts such as bones, skin, intestines, or lymph nodes

Therapy in the form of invasive surgery (open surgery) or minimally invasive (small incisions or even no incisions) along with the management of complications

Surgery on the appendix, mastectomy (removal of the breast), colectomy (removal of the colon), removal of the gallbladder, and amputation

Emergency surgery, such as in cases of perforated appendix, peritonitis, liver abscess, ruptured esophageal varices, complications of gastric ulcer (bleeding or gastric leak), incarcerated hernia, and pneumothorax

Making access for dialysis procedures through a vein or abdominal cavity

Wound management and care, including burns, infected wounds, and postoperative wounds

Patient care before, during and after surgical procedures, including planning surgical rehabilitation therapy

Diseases that General Surgeons Can Treat

Apart from the conditions mentioned above, surgeons can also treat various other diseases that require surgery as a treatment. Some of these diseases include:

Appendix

Peritonitis

Liver abscess

Benign tumors, such as lipomas, fibromas, and adenomas

Tumors or cancer in certain organs, such as breast cancer, colon cancer, and stomach cancer

hernia

Injuries or wounds, such as stab wounds and burns

Congenital abnormalities or birth defects

Cataract

Bile disorders, such as gallstones and infection and inflammation of the bile
Fractures and dislocations of bones