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What is general surgery? Types of general surgeries

General surgery is a surgical specialty, and many surgeons opt for it. There are several types of general surgery, and treatment processes are professionally done.

General surgery happens to be a surgical specialty that focuses on the alimentary canal as well as the abdominal contents.

General surgeons perform surgeries for a wide range of common ailments and are also responsible for patient care before, during, and after surgery. All surgeons need to start their training in general surgery, and then many go on to focus on another specialty.

General surgeons also have the flexibility to work in a variety of settings, with several different types of medical teams and also patients.

Few Types of General Surgery

Appendectomy

Appendix When blocked and ruptured, it places the body at risk for severe infections and also causes much pain. The best way to prevent a harmful and deadly infection from appendicitis is via appendix removal surgery, or appendectomy.
Open appendix removal surgery requires a slightly longer hospital stay after the procedure. An incision is made in the abdomen, and the appendix is then removed.

A laparoscopic procedure does allow the patient to recover more quickly on account of smaller incisions and precise appendix removal.

Breast Surgery

Breast cancer is a common type of cancer in the United States, and mastectomy is still the most reliable method for treatment. Renowned plastic and reconstructive surgeons do the needful.

Colon Surgery

Medically referred to as colectomy or colon re-sectioning, it focuses on removing either part or all of one’s colon in order to prevent or address harmful medical conditions. The general surgeons perform colon re-sectioning for patients who are at risk for or experience one of the following medical concerns:

  • Bowel Obstructions
  • Colon Cancer
  • Diverticulitis
  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Ulcerative Colitis

Colon re-sectioning can be used to remove entire sections of the colon if several pre-cancerous colon polyps have developed.

Re-sectioning can be performed in either open surgery or even laparoscopic surgery.

Digestive Tract

The most common procedures a general surgeon performs involve the upper digestive tract, like gallbladder removal and GERD/acid reflux surgery.

Gallbladder Surgery

The gallbladder, most often, does become blocked or inflamed on account of the formation of gallstones that are too large for the gallbladder to pass naturally. As the number of gallstones increases, the patient will begin to experience greater pain and increased aggravated symptoms until the stones are broken up or the gallbladder is removed.

Gallbladder Surgery

Gallbladder Surgery

The general surgeon performs both open gallbladder removal surgery and minimally invasive laparoscopic gallbladder surgery.

Gerd Surgery

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) happens to be a condition that causes chronic acid reflux or heartburn. This is caused by a malfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). When the LES functions properly, it prevents stomach contents from overflowing into the lower esophagus. Yet, when it does not function properly, stomach acid will then backwash up into the esophagus and also cause heartburn.

Endocrine Surgery

Conditions such as hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Graves’ disease, and other endocrine conditions are treated with endocrine surgery. Both traditional as well as innovative endocrine surgeries are performed.

Esophageal Surgery 

Surgery on the esophagus is used to treat triage acid reflux, GERD, high-grade dysplasia, and esophageal cancer. Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgical tools are used to minimize the patient’s recovery time.
Most esophageal surgeries focus on removing the damaged or even diseased portions of the esophagus and then reconnecting the upper section of the stomach (fundus) to the remaining esophagus.

Hernia Surgery

A hernia occurs when the lining that protects internal organs and keeps them in place develops a tiny hole. The organ next to the fascial hole will then be squeezed via the tissue, causing a slight bulging that is visible via the skin. In due course, hernias become more and more painful and cause more problems the longer they go without being dealt with.

Hernias can be taken care of via several surgical techniques. Another type of groin hernia repair is, of course, totally extraperitoneal (TEP) surgery.

Conclusion

There are numerous types of general surgery.

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