What Does a General Surgeon Do?
A general surgeon has specialized knowledge of the entire surgical process, from the initial evaluation through preparation, procedure, and post-operative management. A general surgeon understands all nine basic areas of surgery, which are:
- The digestive tract
- The abdomen and its contents
- The skin and soft tissue, including the breasts
- The head and neck,
- The blood vessels and heart
- The endocrine system (hormones and glands)
- Surgical treatment of cancer
- Surgical management of traumatic injuries
- Care of critically ill patients with surgical needs
General surgeons know:
- The body’s healthy structure and function
- How wounds heal
- How blood flows and clots
- How the immune system functions
- Infections and antibiotics
