What is General Surgery?

General surgery is the medical specialty that diagnoses and treats conditions affecting the digestive system, including the stomach, rectum, small and large intestines, liver, gallbladder, and esophagus. It also covers surgical treatment for hernias, appendicitis, hemorrhoids, and other related conditions.

General surgeons are trained in core surgical areas, including anatomy, physiology, metabolism, immunology, nutrition, pathology, wound healing, intensive care, and oncology. Using advanced technology, they diagnose gastrointestinal and other related disorders, develop treatment plans, and perform surgeries when necessary.

In short, general surgery is a broad field that provides comprehensive, patient-centered care for a wide range of medical and surgical conditions.

What Conditions Does General Surgery Treat?

General surgery deals with the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the gastrointestinal system, including the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, rectum, liver, and gallbladder, as well as diseases such as cancer. It also covers surgical treatment for appendicitis, thyroid disorders, hernias, and pilonidal disease.

The organs and conditions managed by general surgery include:

Gastrointestinal and Digestive System Disorders

• Esophagus
• Small and large intestines
• Stomach and rectum
• Liver, gallbladder, and associated diseases
• Appendicitis

Endocrine System

• Thyroid disorders, including benign and malignant conditions

Surgical Oncology

• Breast surgery, including benign tumors and breast cancer
• Hepato-pancreato-biliary surgeries (liver, bile ducts, gallbladder, pancreas)
• Surgeries for cancers of the esophagus, stomach, intestines, and rectum
• Gallstones, hernias, and anorectal disorders
• Bariatric surgery for long-term weight management

In summary, general surgery encompasses a wide range of procedures and treatments, from routine operations to complex cancer surgeries, providing comprehensive care for multiple organ systems.

Surgical Procedures Performed in the General Surgery Department

In the General Surgery Department, various surgical procedures are performed based on the diseases within its scope. These can be listed as breast surgery, endocrine surgery, liver-pancreas-biliary surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, and bariatric surgery. These surgical procedures can be explained as follows:

Breast Surgery

At Memorial Breast Health Centers, the treatment of benign breast tumors and breast cancers is carried out using surgical techniques, personalized surgical approaches, patient comfort-oriented methods, and a multidisciplinary approach. In cases of breast cancer, the principle is to remove only the tumor area while preserving the integrity of the breast. However, in cases where multiple tumors develop in the breast, a mastectomy, removal of the entire breast, is performed. At the same session, plastic and reconstructive surgeries are applied to restore breast aesthetics, eliminating the risk of organ loss for the patient.

Endocrine Surgery

Endocrine surgery refers to the surgical treatment of diseases affecting the body’s hormone-producing glands that require an operation. This includes the surgical treatment of benign and malignant thyroid diseases, nodular goiter, toxic goiter, thyroid cancer, parathyroid disorders, adrenal gland diseases and tumors, as well as benign diseases and tumors of the pancreas.

At Memorial General Surgery Centers, special procedures are applied in thyroid and parathyroid surgery to prevent complications that could negatively affect patient comfort, such as bleeding and voice loss. During surgery, auxiliary devices called “energy devices” are used to close blood vessels precisely where needed, reducing the risk of bleeding. Nerve monitoring is also employed to protect the nerves that control the vocal cords, allowing the surgeon to check nerve function throughout the procedure.

Liver, Pancreas, and Biliary Tract Surgery (Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery)

In General Surgery, benign diseases and tumors of the liver, pancreas, and biliary tract are treated under the name Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) surgery. Before cancer surgery, patients are evaluated in an oncology council, where input is gathered from specialists across all relevant medical fields, and the most suitable surgical methods are selected for the patient.

Gastroenterology Surgery

Surgical treatment of benign diseases and cancers affecting the stomach, small and large intestines, esophagus, and rectum is carried out under the name gastroenterology surgery. At Memorial General Surgery Centers, patients are evaluated by a council, the most suitable surgical techniques are selected for them, and advanced surgical technologies used in the world’s leading cancer centers are offered to patients.

In oncological surgery, a significant portion of procedures is performed using minimally invasive techniques, such as laparoscopy, allowing patients to recover comfortably and have sufficient time for any additional treatments. Gastroenterology surgery also successfully addresses cases such as intestinal tumors that have caused liver metastases.

Bariatric Surgery

Surgical procedures performed for treatment in individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 40, or a BMI over 35 with chronic health conditions causing significant health risks, are called “Bariatric Surgery” or Obesity Surgery. At Memorial Bariatric Surgery Centers, obesity surgeries are performed using minimally invasive techniques, reducing the patient’s recovery time.

With procedures like gastric banding becoming less common, the most frequently applied and effective methods today are sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass.

Proctology Surgery

Anorectal diseases, which are common in the community (disorders of the large intestine, rectum, and anal region), require a team with specialized expertise, advanced technology, and proper equipment for accurate diagnosis and treatment. At Memorial General Surgery Centers, these issues are addressed with high-level diagnostic and treatment facilities provided to patients.

In proctology surgery, surgical treatments are performed for internal and external hemorrhoids, constipation, anal fissures, perianal abscesses and fistulas, fecal incontinence, intestinal hernias, pilonidal disease, anal itching, colorectal cancers, and anal and perianal warts.

Organ Transplantation

Memorial Health Group Organ Transplant Centers provide services to patients waiting for organ transplants, primarily from the Balkans and Turkic Republics, as well as from the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. Memorial Health Group also offers training to doctors worldwide. In particular, physicians from Europe and the U.S. receive training in living-donor transplantation at Memorial.

The Concept of “Specialized Surgeon” in General Surgery

General surgery, one of the most important and broad fields of medicine, is gradually giving way to specialized surgery as the range of diseases, treatment options, rapidly advancing technologies, and diverse surgical techniques expands. This allows a “general surgeon,” who is focused on all aspects of the field, to also gain expertise in specific areas of general surgery, earning the status of a “specialized surgeon.”

Memorial Health Group General Surgery Centers operate based on this principle, with a team specialized in different areas. Patients have access to high-quality services across all sub-branches of general surgery without having to seek a specific specialist. In addition, surgical decisions are made not individually but through council evaluations, ensuring a team-based approach. After a general diagnosis, patients are directed to the relevant specialist, and a treatment plan tailored to the specific condition is created.