Surgery
Introduction
Surgeons are physicians involved in anatomic correction. General surgeons perform a wide variety of procedures, focusing on the chest and abdomen. Other surgical specialties include orthopedics, ENT, urology, neurosurgery, plastics, cardiovascular, and others.
Role of Surgery
Surgeons receive referrals for many clinical presentations and diseases. Some situations will require the OR for treatment, for others it is an option to be carefully weighed by surgeon and patient, and for others, non-surgical treatment, if any, is indicated. Perhaps the greatest skill a surgeon can have is to know when to cut and when not to cut.
Surgeons see patients for evaluation and follow-up in the clinic, as well as manage post-operative recovery and complications on the ward.
Surgery is a great profession for those who want instant gratification, as the results and their impact on health and comfort are often immediate. "Find a job you like to do and you'll never have to go to work" - G. Brisseau
General Surgical Care
- surgeries
& procedures - pre-operative
care - post-operative
care - imaging
Surgeries and Procedures
surgical techniques
wound closure
splinting and casting
|
tubes and lines
anesthesia
|
Pre-Operative Care
assessment
|
preoperative documentation
|
preoperative medications
|
Post-Operative Care
body systems
wound dressings transplants and immunosuppression |
complications
|
Imaging
- chest X-ray
- abdominal X-ray
- CT abdomen
- CT chest
- CT head
- MRI head
- mammography
- IVP
- renal ultrasound
- renal scan
- retrograde urethrogram and pyelogram
- bone scans
- barium swallow
- colonoscopy
- upper endoscopy
- rigid sigmoidoscopy
- ERCP
Surgical Specialties
Each surgical specialty plays unique but overlapping roles, and some competencies students must learn during their surgical rotation apply to various services. These are broken down here not to suggest ownership but for clarity.
- general
surgery - ear, nose,
and throat - orthopedic
surgery - cardiac
surgery - neuro-
surgery
- pediatric
surgery - plastic
surgery - thoracic
surgery - urology
- vascular
surgery
General Surgery
biology
history and physical exam
|
clinical presentations
conditions and diseases
|
Ear, Nose, and Throat (Otolaryngology)
biology |
clinical presentations
conditions and diseases
|
Orthopedic Surgery
biology
history and physical exam
|
clinical presentations
conditions and diseases
|
Cardiovascular Surgery
biology |
clinical presentationsconditions and diseases
|
Neurosurgery
biology |
clinical presentations
conditions and diseases
|
Pediatric Surgery
biology |
clinical presentationsconditions and diseases
|
Plastic Surgery
biology
history and physical exam |
clinical presentationsconditions and diseases |
Thoracic Surgery
biology |
clinical presentations
conditions and diseases
|
Urology
biology
history and physical exam
|
clinical presentations
conditions and diseases
|
Vascular Surgery
biology
|
clinical presentations
conditions and diseases
|
Resources and References
Darouiche et al. 2010. Chlorhexidine-Alcohol versus Povidone-Iodine for Surgical-Site Antisepsis. N Engl J Med. Jan 7;362(1):18-26.
- www.primary-surgery.org
- www.ptolemy.ca - University of Toronto Office of International Surgery electronic resources
- www.medstudentlc.com - Dalhousie University Division of Plastic Surgery information
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