Specialty3 min read
General surgery
A general surgeon has principal expertise in diagnosing and caring for diseases of the abdomen, digestive tract, endocrine system, breast, skin and blood vessels, and performs common operations on many parts of the body.
According to AMA FREIDA: the general surgeon treats conditions including hernias, gallstones, appendicitis, breast tumours, thyroid disorders, pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, colitis and colon cancer, is skilled in minimally invasive surgery and endoscopy, and deals with injuries and with children. MedlinePlus describes it as "common surgeries involving any part of the body".
FREIDA stresses that a fully trained general surgeon is able to intervene in varied surgical problems across the life span, from children with congenital defects to injury victims to the elderly with new cancers. On this site, the pages on pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, the digestive system and trauma surgery are linked to it. The professional reference (Grade 4) is descriptive and does not set criteria for the decision to operate.
In one minute123
- What is it?
- The specialty of common surgeries of the abdomen, digestive system, glands and breast.
- Who is usually affected?
- People with a condition that needs surgical assessment.
- Acute or chronic?
- Assessment, then surgery (if needed), then follow-up.
- Main symptoms
- Severe abdominal pain, a lump, a hernia (depending on the condition).
- Red flags?
- Yes: sudden severe abdominal pain or bloating with vomiting is an emergency.
- Preventable?
- Depends on the condition.
What is it?
"Key expertise in the diagnosis and care of patients with diseases and disorders of the abdomen, digestive tract, endocrine system, breast, skin and blood vessels" (AMA FREIDA). MedlinePlus describes it as "common surgeries involving any part of the body".
Conditions it covers
According to FREIDA: hernias, gallstones, appendicitis, breast tumours, thyroid disorders, pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, colitis and colon cancer. They also deal with injuries and with children.
Related pages on this site: pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and the digestive system, and trauma surgery and gastroenterology and the liver are connected to them.
Common tests and procedures
FREIDA mentions their skill in minimally invasive surgery and endoscopy. According to NCI, surgery, when it can remove the whole tumour, is the best chance of long-term survival in pancreatic cancer (see its page).
When to see one
Referral to the specialist is usually decided by the primary care provider according to the condition (MedlinePlus). This page does not cover surgical referral criteria.
When do you need urgent help?
Get urgent care today
- Sudden severe abdominal pain, or severe bloating with vomiting or inability to pass gas or stool, or a painful hernia that will not go back: seek emergency care. (A general warning that is no substitute for assessment.)1
Educational content only — no diagnosis, and no substitute for a clinician.
Common questions
Does every hernia or stone need surgery?
It depends on the condition and the surgeon's decision; this page is introductory and does not cover criteria for surgery. Consult your doctor.1
Questions for your doctor
- Does my condition need surgery or drug treatment?
- What type of surgery (keyhole or open), and what are the risks and recovery?
- What are the non-surgical alternatives?
- How do I prepare for surgery?
References
- 1AMA FREIDA. General surgery — specialty description. freida.ama-assn.org/specialty/surgery-generalEducational & historical references · Accessed 2026-10-06
- 2MedlinePlus. Types of health care providers. medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001933.htmHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-06
- 3NCI / NIH. Pancreatic Cancer Treatment (PDQ). www.cancer.gov/types/pancreatic/patient/pancreatic-treatment-pdqHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-06
Review status: Edited content · Last updated:
Change log
- — Page created.
Educational content only — no diagnosis, and no substitute for a clinician.