\u201cYou need surgery\u201d<\/p>\n
Those can be tough words to hear.<\/p>\n
But here’s the good news: today’s surgical techniques often allow you to go home the same day, heal up way quicker than ever before, and are much safer than ever before.<\/p>\n
In this article, we’ll cover the\u00a014 surgical specialties recognized by the American College of Surgeons. When you need a surgeon, the first thing to determine is which surgeon to see.<\/p>\n
General surgery doesn’t mean “every surgery.” Different procedures require different training.<\/p>\n
Cardiothoracic surgeons are medical professionals adept in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions in relation to the chest. They manage, diagnose, and operate on patients with intrathoracic conditions which need surgical treatment. Necessary for this is a wide knowledge of cardiorespiratory physiology and oncology.<\/p>\n
Common Diseases Treated:<\/a><\/p>\n Colon and rectal surgeons perform medical and surgical procedures having to do with the lower gastrointestinal tract — that is, the intestines, colon, anal canal, and the perianal area. They specialize in managing and treating conditions such as tears in the lining of the anal canal, abscesses, infections of the anus and rectum, as well as hemorrhoids. A deep knowledge of intestinal and anorectal physiology is required.<\/p>\n Common Diseases Treated:<\/a><\/p>\n A general surgeon is one who specializes in the treatment and surgical procedures of a wide array of diseases and conditions affecting almost any part of the body. Dr. Higgins, for instance, is a general surgeon. The types of surgeries he most often does are breast surgery, appendectomies, hernia repairs, colon surgery, and gallbladder surgery.<\/p>\n Knowledge of conditions relating to the head and neck, breast, skin and soft tissues, abdomen, extremities, gastrointestinal, vascular, and endocrine systems are necessary for this line of work. General surgeons may also further specialize in pediatric surgery, vascular surgery, surgery of the hand, and critical care surgery. Dr Higgin’s primary practice is breast cancer surgery and breast health.<\/p>\n A pediatric surgeon is one who is equipped to diagnose, treat, and manage the care of children. The range of their practice starts from the newborn to those in their teenage years. Two years of additional training are required before one is certified in this subspecialization.<\/p>\n Pediatric surgeons are experts in the following:<\/p>\n Common Conditions Treated: <\/a><\/p>\n Vascular surgery is a subspecialty that deals with conditions and diseases that relate to the arteries, veins, and lymphatic systems excluding the heart and intracranial circulations. Common diseases treated are atherosclerosis, stroke prevention by management of arterial blockages, management of aneurysms, vascular trauma, and varicose veins. Angioplasty is also included in this subspecialty, where less invasive techniques are used to repair abdominal aneurysms.<\/p>\n Common Diseases Treated<\/a>:<\/p>\n This subspecialty focuses on the treatment of conditions affecting the upper extremities. This necessitates knowledge of microvascular surgery needed for reattachment of amputated fingers or limbs.<\/p>\n Common Conditions Treated<\/a>:<\/p>\n This subspecialty deals with the treatment and care of critically ill and injured patients, particularly trauma victims. Surgeons under this specialty have to be able to provide timely, safe, effective, and efficient patient-centered care. They often deal with patients with multiple organ problems.<\/p>\n Common Conditions Treated:<\/a><\/p>\n Gynecology and obstetrics are two separate but very related studies. Gynecology pertains to the field of study dealing with the overall function of the female reproductive system. Obstetrics, on the other hand, is concerned particularly with the processes of pregnancy and childbirth.<\/p>\n They are more commonly known as OB-GYN, and deal with nearly all surgery having to do with the female reproductive system – childbirth most famously of all.<\/p>\n Common Conditions Treated<\/a>:<\/p>\n A more specialized form of gynecology which deals with cancers of the female reproductive system. Gynecologic oncologists are trained to detect, diagnose, treat, and surgically remove those cancers.<\/p>\n Common Diseases Treated<\/p>\n This specialty is what most would call \u201cbrain surgery\u201d, though they deal with far more than the brain. Neurosurgeons specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of any part of the nervous system. This includes the brain, the spinal cord, and even the peripheral nerves which run all throughout the body.<\/p>\n Common Conditions Treated<\/a>:<\/p>\n Also known as eye surgery or ocular surgery, ophthalmic is the procedure performed on the eye by an ophthalmologist. Extreme care is needed in eye surgery as this is a very fragile organ. Ophthalmologists are trained to diagnose and treat all ocular and visual disorders.<\/p>\n Common Conditions Treated:<\/a><\/p>\n Oral and maxillofacial Surgeons specialize in dentistry, meaning that they diagnose and treat patients with conditions relating to the function and appearance of the oral and maxillofacial area. It involves care of the oral cavity and face, removal of deceased and impacted teeth, and most commonly, tooth removal for the application of braces.<\/p>\n Common Conditions Treated:<\/a><\/p>\n Orthopedic surgeons, also known as orthopedics, are those who are specialized in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. These doctors may use both surgical and non surgical means to treat a variety of conditions. They also are involved in the treatment of secondary muscular problems such as cerebral palsy, paraplegia, or stroke.<\/p>\n Common Conditions Treated:<\/a><\/p>\n Surgeons who specialize in urology treat patients with benign and cancerous disorders of the adrenal gland and the genitourinary system. They also advocate the prevention, early detection, and treatment of prostate cancer.<\/p>\n Common Conditions Treated:<\/a><\/p>\n Vascular surgeons specialize in treating damage and disorders of the vascular system — the blood and lymphatic vessels. All blood vessels are included except for those of the heart (the domain of cardiothoracic surgeons) and the brain (the domain of neurosurgeons). Of course, aside from direct surgery, they are also the people to go to for the detection and prevention of many vascular diseases.<\/p>\n\n
Colon and Rectal Surgery<\/h2>\n
\n
General Surgery<\/h2>\n
Pediatric Surgery<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
Vascular Surgery<\/h3>\n
\n
Surgery of the Hand<\/h3>\n
\n
Critical Care Surgery<\/h3>\n
\n
Gynecology and Obstetrics<\/h2>\n
\n
Gynecologic Oncology<\/h2>\n
\n
Neurological Surgery<\/h2>\n
\n
Ophthalmic Surgery<\/h2>\n
\n
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery<\/h2>\n
\n
Orthopedic Surgery<\/h2>\n
\n
Urology<\/h2>\n
\n
Vascular Surgery<\/h2>\n