Last Updated on March 18, 2023
General surgery is one of the departments of medicine with an important and extensive content. General surgery has also been known as external surgery from the past to the present. This section covers many diseases and their treatment.
It mainly serves diseases that require surgical treatment. The department of general surgery deals with diseases and treatment of liver, pancreas, small and large intestine, stomach, rectum, spleen and bile ducts. In addition, it can be applied for hernias, thoracic region, soft tissue injuries and thyroids.
People with diseases that require surgery prefer the general surgery department for examination. For this reason, people are hospitalised in general surgery services before and after surgery.
The general surgeon in our institution, after studying medicine for 6 years, did his specialisation on general surgery. For this reason, it is possible to say that they have detailed information about all diseases and organs.
Since it covers many departments, consultation with the branch to which the disease is related may be requested when necessary. It will determine the diagnostic methods by creating a preliminary diagnosis in line with the complaints of the people. In line with the results of the necessary diagnostic methods, a definitive diagnosis can be made and the treatment process of the patients can be started.
Which Diseases Does General Surgery Examine?
The general surgery department has a much wider disease content compared to other departments. It is possible to perform a physical examination by our doctors for almost any disease. Among the diseases specifically treated are the following:
Digestive System Diseases
Digestive system diseases are one of the most frequently applied reasons for general surgery. Among the many diseases these include esophageal diseases, gallstones and inflammation, fissures, fistulas, hemorrhoids, prolapse, cholecystitis, pancreatic cancer, liver diseases, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, reflux, hernia known as hernia, gastric cancer, portal hypertension.
Endocrine System Diseases
It will cover the entire general surgery department that requires surgical treatment among endocrine system diseases. You can apply to our general surgery department for many diseases and tumors such as Diabetes Mellitus, hypoglycemia, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, osteoporosis, rickets, parathyroid gland disorders, pituitary tumors, pituitary insufficiency.
Breast Diseases
It is applied in conditions such as mastectomy, armpit lymph nodes, benign tumors in the breast, malignant tumors in the breast, which require surgical procedures among breast diseases.
Soft Tissue Diseases
All sarcomas or tumors occurring in soft tissues are of interest to general surgery.
Trauma Diseases
It includes all musculoskeletal injuries, hand and head injuries and burns caused by accidents or other reasons.
Vascular System Diseases
Our department can provide physical examination and treatment services for all patients with ischemic heart diseases, coronary occlusions, hypertension, heart valve diseases, infections in the pericardium and heart tumors.
Cancer Diseases
The general surgery department can perform procedures such as screening, surveillance and surgical treatment in cancers that develop due to malignant tumors in any part of the body.
What are the Symptoms that Occur in Diseases of the General Surgery Department?
Different symptoms may occur for each system in the diseases of the general surgery department. Since this section covers many systems, there will be no common symptoms in diseases. After the complaints observed in the patients are evaluated by our specialist general surgeons, a preliminary diagnosis can be made about the system in which the disease occurs. Symptoms that occur in general surgery diseases can be listed as follows:
Digestive System Diseases Symptoms
Common symptoms may occur in diseases of the digestive system, as well as symptoms specific to the disease. However, in these system diseases, nausea, vomiting, bloating, pain and tenderness in the area where the disease develops, constipation or diarrhea, swelling in the abdomen, burning in the stomach, mouthing the stomach contents, pain and swelling during defecation are general symptoms.
Endocrine System Diseases Symptoms
Among the general symptoms of endocrine system diseases are diabetes, weight gain, weight loss, obesity, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, excessive hair growth, low or high HDL and LDL.
Vascular System Diseases Symptoms
Symptoms such as heart palpitations, excessive pulse rate, chest pain, extreme fatigue with exertion, difficulty in breathing, increased or decreased blood pressure, shortness of breath during sleep, numbness in the left arm, and fainting.
Breast Diseases Symptoms
Pain or sensitivity in the breast, extremely pronounced differences between the two breasts, orange appearance of the breasts, nipple discharge, the presence of a palpable mass in the breast examination performed after menstruation, and menstrual irregularities are the most common symptoms. Apart from the typical symptoms mentioned above, it will also be possible to mention the presence of specific symptoms.
Cancer Diseases
The general surgery department can perform procedures such as screening, surveillance and surgical treatment in cancers that develop due to malignant tumors in any part of the body.
What are the Diagnostic Methods Used in the Department of General Surgery?
Many diagnostic methods are used in the general surgery department. High-performance devices are used in the diagnostic tests of the general surgery department of Özkaya Medical Center. Within this scope, the identification of diseases and the diagnosis process takes a very short time. The most commonly used diagnostic methods in this section are:
ERCP
The ERCP diagnostic method is a method used to diagnose diseases or complaints that occur in areas such as the bile duct, pancreas, liver and gall bladder. In this method an endoscope is inserted into your body through your mouth to see images of organs.
X-ray
X-ray is one of the imaging techniques used in the diagnosis of almost every disease. X-rays are used to visualise parts of the body through X-radiation.
In this method, which is a painless technique, it is possible to image the tissues, bones and organs. Radiation exposure is very low in this diagnostic method, in which multi-directional x-rays of the required regions are taken by radiologists.
Ultrasonography
Ultrasonography is the use of imaging techniques using sound waves in the areas where patients have complaints. Since no X-rays are used in ultrasonography, there will be no exposure to radiation.
A special device is used in the ultrasound process. Before using this device, gel is applied to the area to make it slippery. Then, the device will be pushed back and forth to provide imaging.
Ultrasonography is mainly used in the process of diagnosing diseases of the digestive system in general surgery.
Computerised Tomography
In the computerized tomography (CT) diagnostic method, imaging is performed using special x-rays. This method is used to diagnose soft tissue, vessels or bones.
In the procedure, the person is placed in a closed area and exposed to x-rays. However, this diagnostic method does not involve exposure to high radiation.
In addition, 2 different methods are used in the diagnostic process of computerized tomography, with or without medication.
In the medicated method, radiocontrast substances containing iodine or barium can be administered orally and a more detailed imaging process can be executed.
Magnetic Resonance
Magnetic resonance imaging technique uses magnetic fields and radio waves. Since high resolution images are obtained with MRI, the definitive diagnosis process becomes easier.
Pathology
All of the tissues taken after surgical treatment in general surgery diseases are examined in the pathology unit. In pathology the obtained tissue is examined to determine the presence of any disease.
Biopsy
In some cases, biopsy may be used if other diagnostic methods do not yield results. A biopsy is a method of examining the signs of disease under a microscope by taking a living tissue from the area where it is located. With this method, the diagnosis of the disease can be made to a great extent.
Biochemistry and Hormone Tests
Blood tests are one of the most commonly used diagnostic methods in general surgery departments. Biochemistry and hormone tests are especially performed done for diseases of the vascular system and diseases of the endocrine system. In this diagnostic method, the definitive diagnosis is determined according to the results, usually by taking blood on an empty stomach.
How is the Examination Performed in the Department of General Surgery?
A general surgical examination should definitely be performed without neglect in the presence of complaints that occur in the systems we have previously specified. Since the general surgery department mainly provides surgical treatment services, the course of the disease may worsen in cases where the examination is not carried out.
First of all, the history of the patient should be obtained. In the medical history, information will be obtained about the age of the patient, the presence of chronic disease, the medications used by the patient, the complaints observed in the patient, and the genetic family history of these complaints.
In the light of this information, successful doctors of our general surgery team will perform a physical examination in the systems where the complaints are located. Since it is not possible to examine the systems in detail during the physical examination, the doctor will determine a preliminary diagnosis about the patient after a general examination.
After a preliminary diagnosis of the patient is done, referral will be made to our diagnostic units so that a definitive diagnosis can be made.
Gastroenterology, imaging techniques, radiology, pathology and medical surgery are used to diagnose general surgery diseases.
Those deemed necessary for these diagnostic tests will be decided by doctors and patients will be informed about this. After applying the necessary diagnostic methods, the doctor will be able to make a definitive diagnosis about the disease by evaluating the results.
After the definitive diagnosis is made, a treatment plan will be created in order to reduce the complaints and stop the course of the disease. Thanks to the treatment plan created by our general surgeons, the quality of life of the patients will be increased and the continuity of their health will be ensured.
Which Diseases Does The General Surgery Department Examine?
The general surgery department has a much wider disease content compared to other departments. It is possible to perform a physical examination by our doctors for almost any disease. The most common diseases are the following:
Digestive System Diseases
One of the most common reasons for general surgery is digestive system diseases. These diseases include esophageal diseases, gallstones and inflammation, fissure, fistula, hemorrhoids, prolapse, cholecystitis, pancreatic cancer, liver diseases, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, reflux, hernia known as hernia, gastric cancer, portal hypertension.
Endocrine System Diseases
It will cover the entire general surgery department that requires surgical treatment among endocrine system diseases. You can apply to our general surgery department for many diseases and tumors such as Diabetes Mellitus, hypoglycemia, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, osteoporosis, rickets, parathyroid gland disorders, pituitary tumors, pituitary insufficiency.
Breast Diseases
Among the breast diseases, those that require surgical procedure are mastectomy, axillary lymph nodes, presence of benign tumors in the breast, presence of malignant tumors in the breast.
Soft Tissue Diseases
All sarcomas or tumors occurring in soft tissues are of interest to general surgery.
Trauma Diseases
It includes all musculoskeletal injuries, hand and head injuries and burns caused by accidents or other reasons.
Vascular System Diseases
Our department can provide physical examination and treatment services for all patients with ischemic heart diseases, coronary occlusions, hypertension, heart valve diseases, infections in the pericardium and heart tumors.
Cancer Diseases
The general surgery department can perform procedures such as screening, surveillance and surgical treatment in cancers that develop due to malignant tumors in any part of the body.
What are the Treatment Methods Used in the General Surgery Department?
In general surgery, a definitive diagnosis of diseases can be made with diagnostic methods performed in accordance with complaints. After definitive diagnosis is made, treatment is carried out according to the course and severity of the disease.
Surgical methods are mainly applied in general surgery. However, if there is no need for surgical treatment in the disease, it may be a question of turning to drug therapy.
In some cases, drug therapy may be tried before deciding on surgical procedure. Surgical treatment will be inevitable in cases where drug therapy does not give results. Surgical procedures can be performed in 2 different ways in accordance with the treatment decided by our specialist general surgeons.
Open Surgery Method
The open surgery method is the treatment of patients by incision. Although open surgery has been the most widely used treatment method from the past to the present, it has started to be used less frequently with the spread of closed surgeries.
Currently, in some types of surgery, the closed surgical method may be more necessary. In this treatment method, an incision is applied in the area where the disease is located and the necessary treatment is applied. Afterwards, the incision is closed and the operation is terminated.
Depending on the disease, this procedure can be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia. Since it is a somewhat painful and troublesome type of surgery, the patient will be kept under observation in the hospital for a while for post-operative patient follow-up.
Laparoscopic Surgery Method
It is one of the most commonly used surgical methods in our general surgery clinic. It will be a more comfortable method for both the patient and the physician, as it is painless and practical. Small 3-4 incisions are made in the area to be treated with laparoscopic surgery, and the telescope is placed inside these areas. After this procedure, the necessary organs will be viewed with a camera and the necessary treatment will be applied.
This method, which is preferred in many general surgical diseases, can be performed under general or local anesthesia. Because of the smaller incisions, fewer stitches are applied compared to the open surgery method. In addition, since it is more painless, it will be possible for the patient to be discharged soon and be able to return to his daily life