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.
This type of surgeon mainly performs surgery on the abdomen although he/she will operate on the thyroid gland, the breasts and hernias.
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:
General surgeons are members of The Royal College of Surgeons.