General surgery involves the diagnosis and surgical management of a wide range of conditions affecting any part of your body. A doctor specializing in general surgery is called a general surgeon and is usually an integral part of your entire preoperative and postoperative care.
Training in general surgery can take up to 5 years. A general surgeon has extensive knowledge in physiology, anatomy, pathology, nutrition, immunology, wound healing, intensive care, etc., and experience in nine primary components of surgery which include:
- Head and neck
- Endocrine system
- Alimentary tract
- Vascular system
- Skin, breasts, and soft tissue
- Abdomen and its organs
- Surgical oncology
- Trauma
- Critical illnesses
Some of the common conditions treated by a general surgeon include hernia, inflammation of the colon, gallstones, pancreatic diseases, acid reflux, bowel obstructions, appendicitis, vascular injuries, birth defects, cancers, and damage to other organs.
