A preoperative medical consultation can help surgeons evaluate a patient's health and identify potential complications. It can also help reduce the risk of postoperative complications and shorten hospital stays. However, the process of referral for these services varies widely. A need for more straightforward recommendations from evidence-based practice guidelines likely drives this variability.
General surgery is a specialty in which surgeons treat patients of all ages. These specialists perform surgeries such as appendicitis, hernias, and gallbladder removal. They also specialize in the stomach, small bowel, and esophagus surgeries, including laparoscopic procedures that use smaller tools. They also operate on the glands of the endocrine system and remove tumors.
In most countries, the surgical training program for a general surgeon takes five years. Following this, surgeons can pursue subspecialties such as colorectal surgery, minimally invasive surgery, surgical oncology (including hepatobiliary and endocrine), breast surgery, trauma surgery, vascular surgery, or thoracic surgery.
In addition to their clinical training, they have extensive anatomy, physiology, chemistry, pathology, and neoplasia knowledge. They are also experts in managing and resolving complications and problems during surgery.
Vascular surgery is a surgical specialty focused on the blood vessels and lymphatic system that transport blood through the body. This includes the arteries that supply oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs and the veins that move infection-fighting white blood cells throughout the body.
Although surgeons in vascular surgery may not perform heart or brain procedures, they have extensive training in the specialized techniques needed for treating a wide range of conditions affecting the blood and lymphatic systems. Their special skills include minimally invasive endovascular procedures that involve inserting catheters into blood vessels to deliver medications or tiny instruments.
Despite the widespread availability of lifestyle changes and medications to treat many vascular diseases, some conditions require surgery. These surgeries can prevent or improve serious health outcomes such as life-threatening internal bleeding or stroke. A vascular surgeon's approach to treatment will depend on the stage of the condition and what will work best for the patient's needs.
Colorectal Surgery is a specialty in the surgical treatment of diseases, defects, and injuries of the large intestine (colon) and the small intestine (rectum). These procedures are often used to treat cancers, inflammatory bowel disease, and diverticulitis.
Colon and rectum surgeries are usually done under general anesthesia and may be either open or minimally invasive. They are performed to address a range of conditions, from benign problems like hemorrhoids to complex medical disorders such as hernias or prolapses.
Before undergoing colorectal surgery, you'll need a thorough exam and undergo tests and scans. Your healthcare provider may also recommend bowel prep, which involves taking laxatives to help clear your intestines and prevent infection during the procedure.
Breast Surgery is a surgical specialty that is involved diagnoses and treatments of neoplastic and non-neoplastic conditions of the breast. This includes a variety of surgical procedures, including lumpectomy, mastectomy, and reconstruction. Lumpectomy - A surgical procedure to remove a lump or abnormal area in the breast and a small amount of healthy tissue around it. This helps confirm or rule out cancer and is the first treatment option for women with early-stage breast cancer.
Sentinel node biopsy - This exam uses a dye to identify the sentinel lymph nodes near the tumor (which might contain cancer cells). If cancer is found in the sentinel nodes, you have stage I breast cancer, and surgery to remove all the lymph nodes is needed. The evaluating practitioner and surgeon should discuss the patient's preoperative medical status, risks for surgery, and any additional testing or consultations required before surgery. This information should be shared verbally and in writing.
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