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General Surgery

A general surgeon is a doctor who specialises in diseases that require surgery as part of their treatment.

Medical Conditions

General surgeons operate on many different areas and many develop their own areas of expertise.

Lumps and bumps
Gallstones
Hernias
Trauma surgery
Cancer surgery - particularly bowel cancer surgery
Bowel operations
Breast operations
Gland operations - like thyroid, parathyroid or adrenal operations
Liver surgery
Haemorrhoids

Specialty Areas of Interest

Laparoscopic surgery
Cancer surgery
Trauma surgery
Endocrine surgery
Breast surgery
Colorectal surgery
Hepatobiliary and upper gastrointestinal tract surgery
Transplant surgery

Associated Tests

A wide range of tests may be ordered depending on your condition.
Blood tests are commonly ordered.
Imaging tests such as X-Rays, ultrasound, CT scans or MRI scans are frequently utilised.
Endoscopy, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy and proctoscopy.

Procedures

Numerous different operations.

Laparoscopic surgery
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Open cholecystectomy
Appendicectomy
Laparotomy
Hartmann’s procedure
Stoma formation and reversal
Hernia repair
Haemorrhoidectomy
Rectal prolapse repair
Biopsy
Liver resection
Sigmoidectomy
Colectomy
Polypectomy
Mastectomy

What to expect

History

A general surgeon will usually take a brief and focussed history on your current complaint. They will ask about your symptoms, their frequency, duration and relieving and exacerbating factors. They will also ask about prior tests and treatments. Previous medical problems, medications, allergies, social and family history may also be relevant.

Examination

Your general surgeon will focus the examination on the current problem. If the problem is a lump or bump they will begin by looking at you generally and then will focus on the lump examining that in detail.