General surgery is a branch of surgery that involves the diagnosis, treatment and surgical interventions for diseases in various body parts. General surgery specialists perform a wide range of surgical procedures and address diseases affecting various systems of the body.
General surgeons treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder), endocrine system (thyroid, pancreas), soft tissue (cysts, tumors), skin (moles, skin cancer), breast, anorectal area, blood vessels (varicose veins, arterial diseases) and many other areas. However, general surgery also manages emergency situations such as trauma, injury and burns that require rapid intervention.
General surgeons diagnose diseases using imaging tests (ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, etc.) during the diagnostic process. They then evaluate appropriate treatment options depending on the severity and characteristics of the disease.
General surgery treatment usually requires surgery. General surgeons may use open surgery (where a large incision is made) or minimally invasive surgery (using less invasive techniques such as laparoscopic or robotic surgery). Surgical interventions are usually performed under general anesthesia.
Doctors in general surgery units perform both elective (planned) surgical operations and surgical interventions that require rapid intervention in emergency situations. They also follow up patients' post-operative care, monitor wound healing and manage complications.
Diseases that the general surgery department deals with
1-Appendicitis: Appendicitis is an inflammation of the blind intestine called the appendix. Treatment is usually by appendectomy (surgical removal of the appendix).
2-Gallbladder Diseases: Gallstones, inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis) or cancer of the gallbladder are conditions that a general surgeon deals with. Removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is a common treatment for patients with gallstones.
3-Small and Large Intestine Diseases: Conditions such as constipation, diarrhea, inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), diverticulitis (inflammation in the intestine) and bowel cancer are diseases that the general surgeon deals with. Surgical interventions (bowel resection, colostomy, ileostomy) can be performed if necessary.
4-Unumbilical Hernia (Inguinal Hernia): Inguinal hernia is a condition in which the organs in the abdomen sag from the groin area as a result of weakness or rupture of muscles and tissues. Hernia repair is performed by general surgery.
5-Thyroid Diseases: Conditions such as thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism are diseases that the general surgeon deals with. Surgical removal of parts or all of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy) may be required.
6-Cancer: General surgery performs surgical treatment of cancers that develop in different organs. Surgical interventions are performed in different types such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer.
7-Trauma: For trauma caused by serious injuries and accidents, general surgeons perform emergency surgical interventions. This can include internal organ injuries, bone fractures, wound sutures and other emergency surgical procedures.
