General surgery : Specialists

What is general surgery?

This is surgery performed to treat a wide range of conditions, such as appendicitis. However, general surgery often concentrates on the abdominal area more than any other part of the body.

What is a general surgeon?

This type of surgeon mainly performs surgery on the abdomen although he/she will operate on the thyroid gland, the breasts and hernias.

What does a general surgeon do?

He or she will carry out a range of operations on abdominal organs such as the stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, colon and oesophagus. He/she may perform surgery on the thyroid gland if a head & neck surgeon is not available and repair hernias as well. Vascular surgery is another option.

In this country, the US, Canada and Australia, a general surgeon will also operate on the breasts. This includes surgery for breast cancer, e.g. a mastectomy.

Common procedures include:

• Hernia repair
• Tumour removal
• Cyst removal
• Removal of sarcomas
• Removal of skin melanomas
• Repair or removal of abdominal organs

General surgeons are members of The Royal College of Surgeons.