Dr. Sumantra Ray

A: A general surgeon is a doctor who performs various surgeries on medical conditions involving abdominal organs like stomach, liver, colon and rectum, as well as breast surgeries.

A: General surgeons can perform open or laparoscopic surgeries related to the digestive tract, breast, hernia, appendicitis, abdomen and its contents, soft tissues, the endocrine system, and gallbladder. They can take care of critically ill patients too.

A: No, a general surgeon cannot perform surgery for cancer treatment. Only a surgical oncologist performs surgery on cancer patients because they are specially trained to treat cancers.

A: A general surgeon has knowledge and skill to perform surgery which focuses mainly on abdominal disorders. It may include bleeding, hernia repair, trauma, etc. whereas a specialist surgeon has in-depth knowledge and skill related to a specific area or tissue of body were the surgery is to be done. It may include various cancer surgeries, neurosurgeries, cosmetic surgery, orthopaedic surgery, etc.

A: Appendicitis is an inflammatory disorder of appendix, which is an organ located near the large intestine. This can be treated by the general surgeon by using laparoscopic surgery, which removes the inflamed appendix.