From the Guidelines
General surgery is a surgical specialty that encompasses a broad range of procedures, including those related to abdominal organs, thyroid gland, skin, breast, soft tissues, and hernias, with a focus on both emergency and elective care. According to 1, general surgery training programs should not solely focus on producing Emergency General Surgeons, but rather provide trainees with the option to subspecialize in this area if desired. The study suggests that only a small percentage of Higher General Surgical trainees are interested in pursuing a career in pure Emergency General Surgery.
Key Aspects of General Surgery
- General surgeons perform a wide range of procedures, including those related to the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts
- They also manage conditions related to the thyroid gland, skin, breast, soft tissues, and hernias
- General surgeons are trained to provide both emergency and elective care, and often serve as the primary surgical care providers in smaller communities
- The field requires extensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathology, as well as technical skill in performing operations
Training and Specialization
- General surgeons typically complete a five-year residency program after medical school, during which they learn to diagnose surgical conditions, provide perioperative care, and perform various surgical techniques
- Many general surgeons further specialize in areas such as trauma surgery, colorectal surgery, or minimally invasive surgery, as noted in 1
- The study also highlights the importance of exposure to elective Vascular Surgery during the early years of Higher Surgical Training, to improve tissue handling and haemostatic techniques, and to augment the management of emergency vascular admissions.
From the Research
Definition of General Surgery
General surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of conditions affecting the abdomen, skin, and soft tissues.
Types of General Surgery Procedures
Some common types of general surgery procedures include:
- Appendectomy (removal of the appendix) 2, 3, 4
- Cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder) 2, 3, 4
- Bowel resection and reanastomosis (removal of a portion of the intestine and reconnection of the remaining portions) 5
- Hernia repair 3
- Skin and soft tissue procedures (e.g. removal of benign or malignant tumors)
Subspecialties of General Surgery
General surgery has several subspecialties, including:
- Acute care surgery (emergency general surgery) 2
- Laparoscopic surgery (minimally invasive surgery using a camera and instruments inserted through small incisions) 5, 4
- Surgical oncology (surgery for cancer)
Note: The study 6 is not relevant to the topic of general surgery.