General Surgery

General surgery occupies a large and important place in the world of medicine. The general surgery department, which performs surgical procedures on all areas of the human body except the brain and the skeletal system, has a highly trained and well-equipped team. General surgery covers not only operations but also services such as intensive care and the treatment of surgical infections.

What Is General Surgery?

General surgery is a branch of medicine that performs surgical interventions to treat various diseases, injuries and conditions. General surgeons are trained professionals with expertise in operating on many different areas of the body.

General surgery covers an extremely broad field and includes procedures related to the digestive system, the endocrine system, the vascular system and more. Surgeons are usually specialised in treating conditions such as appendicitis, gallbladder problems, hernias, gastrointestinal problems and various types of cancer. They also play an important role in emergencies, trauma cases and life-saving operations. Children under the age of 16, however, are cared for by the paediatric general surgery department rather than general surgery.

One of the fundamental aspects of general surgery is the ability to identify and recommend the right surgical intervention. General surgeons work closely with other medical professionals, including radiologists, anaesthesiologists and internal medicine specialists, to provide comprehensive patient care. To deliver effective treatment, they combine technical knowledge, surgical skills and technological advances. Becoming a general surgeon is a demanding process that involves six years of medical school followed by a five-year general surgery residency programme. During this time, surgeons build their skills in both conventional and minimally invasive surgical techniques.

What Are General Surgery Diseases?

General surgery deals with diseases of many organs in the body that require surgical intervention. General surgery diseases include:

• Appendicitis: This condition means inflammation of the appendix and usually requires surgical removal.

• Gallstones: In serious cases, surgery may be needed to remove the gallbladder.

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Surgery may be required to relieve persistent and severe reflux symptoms.

• Inguinal Hernia: A condition in which tissue protrudes through a weak spot as a result of weakened muscles in the groin area.

• Ventral Hernia: A condition in which abdominal organs protrude due to weakening of the abdominal wall. It usually requires surgical repair.

• Colon and Rectal Cancer: Tumours developing in these areas may need to be removed surgically.

• Breast Cancer: General surgeons can perform mastectomy or lumpectomy procedures.

• Thyroid Nodules: Surgery may be needed to remove nodules that cause various problems.

• Hyperparathyroidism: When the parathyroid glands secrete excess hormone, surgery is needed to remove these glands.

• Varicose Veins: When varicose veins develop, general surgery may use methods such as vein stripping or laser treatment.

• Aneurysms: Surgery may be needed to repair weakened vessel walls.

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Surgery may be considered to treat complications such as narrowing or blockages in the intestines.

• Diverticulitis: Surgery may be needed when pouches that form in the large intestine become severe or cause various complications.

• Skin Cancer: General surgeons can perform excisions to remove malignant skin tumours.

• Abscess: Surgical drainage may be needed for painful or recurrent abscesses.

What Are the Symptoms of General Surgery Diseases?

Because general surgery is a broad field affecting many organs and systems of the body, the symptoms of surgical diseases can vary depending on the specific condition. One of the most common symptoms associated with general surgery diseases is abdominal pain. This pain may be sharp, cramping or dull, and it may be localised to a particular area or spread throughout the abdomen. The severity of the pain can also vary. Other symptoms include digestive problems. In particular, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation or changes in bowel habits may occur. These symptoms may indicate conditions such as appendicitis, gallbladder disease or gastrointestinal obstruction.

Some general surgery diseases cause abnormal masses or swellings to develop in different parts of the body. This appears in the form of hernias, tumours or enlarged organs. Depending on their location, these masses may be felt by hand or seen with the eye. Another symptom is infection. Infections are common in surgical conditions and may appear as fever, chills and fatigue. Redness, warmth and tenderness may also occur in the affected area. Unexplained weight loss or weight gain is also an important symptom and may be a sign of various general surgery diseases. For example, conditions such as cancer, thyroid disorders or gastrointestinal diseases can affect metabolism and cause changes in weight.

Such symptoms are not always a sign of a surgical disease. However, if you experience persistent or severe symptoms, it is important to seek medical help immediately. Using various methods such as physical examinations and diagnostic tests, a doctor can determine the underlying cause of the symptoms and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

How Are General Surgery Diseases Diagnosed?

For the diagnosis of diseases, the general surgery department takes a detailed, collaborative approach between healthcare teams and patients. Each disease has its own diagnostic methods, but the general procedure is as follows:

• Patient History: The first step in diagnosing general surgery diseases is taking a detailed medical history. Healthcare teams ask about the patient's symptoms, how long they have been present and any factors that make them worse or better. Previous operations, medical conditions and family history of related problems are also important for understanding your overall health.

• Physical Examination: A physical examination is performed to assess specific symptoms. The healthcare professional may palpate the abdomen to check for masses or swelling and may also evaluate other relevant areas. This examination helps identify potential sources of the problem and guides further diagnostic investigations.

• Laboratory Tests: Blood tests may be requested to assess organ function, detect infection or evaluate the levels of certain substances in the body.

• Imaging Studies: Diagnostic imaging plays an important role in detecting structural abnormalities. X-rays, ultrasound, CT scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are frequently used to visualise organs and tissues.

• Endoscopy: Endoscopy may be performed with a flexible tube with a light and camera at its tip to examine the inside of internal organs. Endoscopy or colonoscopy can be used to visualise the inside of the digestive system, detect abnormalities and take tissue samples for biopsy.

• Biopsy: In some cases, a biopsy may be needed to understand the nature of a suspicious lesion or mass. It is performed by taking a small tissue sample to be examined under a microscope. Biopsies help determine whether a growth is benign or malignant and guide further treatment decisions.

How Are General Surgery Diseases Treated?

The treatment of diseases that fall within general surgery involves a personalised approach, as each condition requires a unique strategy. These include:

• Conservative Treatment: Many general surgery diseases can initially be managed with conservative approaches. Lifestyle changes, dietary changes, medication and physiotherapy may be recommended to relieve symptoms or slow the progression of the condition.

• Medication: Medication is of critical importance in the treatment of various general surgery diseases. Drugs are often used together with other treatment methods, helping to achieve more effective results.

• Surgical Interventions: When conservative measures are insufficient, surgery may be required. Operations may include procedures such as removing diseased organs, repairing hernias or removing tumours. The choice of procedure depends on the disease and its severity.

• Endoscopic Procedures: For some conditions, endoscopy is a healthier option. Gastrointestinal problems, bile duct problems or early-stage tumours can often be treated with endoscopic procedures.

• Radiation and Chemotherapy: For certain cancers or tumours that cannot be fully managed with surgery alone, radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be recommended.

• Rehabilitation and Follow-up Care: Postoperative rehabilitation is important for a successful recovery. Physiotherapy, dietary adjustments and lifestyle changes may be recommended to regain strength and prevent complications.

• Multidisciplinary Approach: Many general surgery diseases benefit from a multidisciplinary approach. Surgeons collaborate with other specialists such as gastroenterologists, oncologists or radiologists to provide comprehensive, coordinated care. This approach is important in complex cases or conditions involving more than one organ system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Types of Surgery?

Surgery is divided into various specialties that address specific aspects of health:

• General surgery

• Orthopaedic surgery

• Cardiovascular surgery

• Neurosurgery

• Plastic and reconstructive surgery

• Urology

• Gynaecological surgery

• Paediatric surgery

• Thoracic surgery

• Ear, nose and throat surgery

• Surgical oncology

• Paediatric General Surgery

How Does a General Surgeon Examine Patients?

General surgeons examine patients carefully, take a detailed medical history, ask about symptoms and perform a physical examination. Using their expertise to evaluate various systems, they check for abnormalities or signs of disease. They may request diagnostic tests such as imaging or laboratory tests to confirm diagnoses and guide treatment plans.

What Is the Difference Between General Surgery and Internal Medicine?

Although general surgery and internal medicine are connected, they are fundamentally different fields. General surgery focuses on surgical interventions, while internal medicine focuses on medical treatment. For example, internal medicine aims to manage complex diseases such as diabetes or heart conditions through medication and lifestyle interventions.

Do General Surgeons Perform Endoscopy?

Yes, general surgeons can perform endoscopy when necessary. This procedure allows the surgeon to examine various problems and helps with diagnosis and treatment planning.

What Tests Do General Surgeons Perform?

General surgeons perform diagnostic tests such as X-rays or CT scans. Blood tests, biopsies and endoscopy are also commonly used.

Do General Surgeons Perform Colonoscopy?

Yes, like endoscopy, colonoscopy is one of the procedures performed by general surgeons. This procedure involves inserting a flexible tube with a camera at its tip into the colon. This makes it possible to examine abnormalities inside the colon and detect conditions such as polyps. Female patients undergoing colonoscopy may sometimes prefer to be examined by female surgeons. Successful surgeons experienced in colonoscopy can provide colonoscopy services.

General surgery is a field to which many patients frequently turn. If you are experiencing one or more of the symptoms mentioned in this text, you can apply to the nearest healthcare facility for early diagnosis and treatment. There you can also get information about the general surgery appointment process.

With rapidly advancing minimally invasive methods, our general surgery clinic has adopted as a fundamental principle treating patients, under emergency or elective conditions, through very small incisions (SILS; single-incision laparoscopic surgery) in order to return them to daily life as quickly as possible.

Disease Groups Diagnosed and Treated in Our General Surgery Department

• Bariatric Surgery (Obesity surgery; gastric band, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass)

• Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery (Goitre, thyroid cancer, thyroid nodules and parathyroid adenomas)

• Breast Surgery (Breast cancer, breast-conserving surgery, oncoplastic surgery)

• Hernia Surgery (Hiatal and abdominal hernias, laparoscopic Nissen surgery, open and closed hernia surgery, TEP)

• Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery (Oesophageal and gastric tumours, achalasia)

• Colorectal Surgery (Colon and rectal tumours, laparoscopic colon and rectal surgery, haemorrhoid, fissure and prolapse surgery)

• Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery (Liver, gallbladder and pancreas surgery)