As general surgeons increasingly specialize in specific medical areas, the field of general surgery is continually evolving with the help of modern technology. Traditional procedures, such as general abdominal surgery, are being replaced by minimally invasive techniques. These advanced methods lead to less pain for patients, shorter hospital stays, quicker recovery times and smaller scars.

What Is General Surgery?

General surgery is a medical field that requires a broad understanding of various topics, including anatomy, physiology, metabolism, immunology, nutrition, pathology, wound healing, shock and resuscitation, intensive care and neoplasia. These areas are relevant across all surgical specialties.

What Is Considered General Surgery?

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, some of the most common general surgery procedures performed in the United States include:

• Appendix removal (appendectomy)
• Breast surgery
• Colectomy (surgical removal of the large intestine or colon)
• Gallstones/Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy)
• Hernia repair surgery
• Intestinal obstruction repair
• Pancreatectomy (surgical removal of the pancreas)
• Proctocolectomy (surgical removal of part or all of the colon and rectum)
• Thyroidectomy (surgical removal of thyroid tissue)

What Is a General Surgeon?

A general surgeon has specialized expertise and practical experience in treating patients with diseases and disorders affecting the abdomen, digestive tract, endocrine system, breast, skin and blood vessels. They are skilled in diagnosing, managing and treating patients throughout the surgical process, including preoperative assessment, surgical procedures and postoperative care. The nine key components essential to a general surgeon’s education are:

• Alimentary Tract: Involves the digestive system
• Abdomen and Its Contents: Covers abdominal organs and structures
• Breast, Skin and Soft Tissue: Addresses conditions related to these areas
• Head and Neck: Includes trauma, vascular issues, endocrine disorders, congenital anomalies and oncologic conditions (particularly tumors of the skin, salivary glands, thyroid, parathyroid and oral cavity)
• Endocrine System: Includes thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and endocrine pancreas.

What Does a General Surgeon Do?

Despite the term "general," these surgeons are highly trained medical professionals who perform a wide range of surgeries, from routine procedures to complex cases, delivering life-saving care with skill and compassion. General surgeons are expected to also have additional knowledge and experience in:

• Surgical oncology, including coordinated multimodality management of cancer patients through screening, surveillance, surgical adjunctive therapy, rehabilitation and follow-up
• Comprehensive management of trauma, including musculoskeletal, hand and head injuries—the responsibility for all phases of care of the injured patient is an essential component of general surgery
• Complete care of critically ill patients with underlying surgical conditions in the emergency room, intensive care unit and trauma/burn units, which includes palliative care and pain management; nutritional deficiency; cachexia in patients with malignant and chronic conditions; and counseling and support for end-of-life decisions and care
• Morbidly obese patients, including metabolic derangements; surgical and nonsurgical interventions for weight loss (bariatrics); and counseling of patients and families
• Geriatric surgical patients, including the management of comorbid chronic diseases
• Culturally diverse and vulnerable patient populations

One specific area of expertise within general surgery is colorectal surgery, which involves treating damage to the colon, rectum and anus caused by lower digestive tract diseases. By surgically removing damaged areas, colorectal surgery helps restore normal bowel function, significantly improving patients' quality of life.

The Conditions and Symptoms We Treat

At DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital, we specialize in diagnosing and providing various general and colorectal surgery treatment options for numerous conditions and symptoms, including:

• Breast, skin or soft tissue concerns
• Diverticulosis
• Fissures (tears in the lining of the anus)
• Fistulas (abnormal connections between two parts of the body)
• Gallbladder issues
• Hemorrhoids
• Hernias
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease, such as ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease
• Intestinal problems
• Rectal bleeding

We are equipped with some of the latest surgical technology to help provide our patients with the best possible outcomes. Most of our procedures are minimally invasive, including laparoscopic and robotic techniques, which offer benefits like reduced pain, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times. Our general surgeons work in collaboration with other specialties to perform robotic-assisted surgery for:

• General surgery
• Gynecologic (women's reproductive) surgery
• Urological surgery
• Thoracic surgery
• Bariatric surgery
• Colorectal surgery

Our Minimally Invasive Surgery Program features the da Vinci® Surgical System, which precisely translates the surgeon's hand movements in real-time into laparoscopic instruments through one or a few small incisions.

Find a General Surgeon in Commerce Twp.

At DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital, we offer some of the latest surgical techniques to treat various health conditions. Our general surgery services include minimally invasive abdominal surgery as well as laparoscopic abdominal surgery.

Healthcare is better together. DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital is committed to helping you navigate your health journey from diagnosis to recovery. Learn more about our surgical services or get to know our general surgeons network.