What is a hospital surgeon?
A surgeon is a doctor who specialises in evaluating and treating conditions that may require surgery, or physically changing the human body. They carry out operations.
There are two main types of surgery. Open surgery requires a cut into the skin so the surgeon can see into the body. ‘Keyhole’ ( or minimally invasive surgery) requires smaller entry points to carry out the operation. It generally has shorter recovery time than open surgery
So tell me more about what is an NHS hospital surgeon. There are several different types of surgeon.
Breast Surgeon
A breast surgeon is a key member of the multidisciplinary team engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant breast disease.
Colorectal Surgeon
You would see these doctors for problems with your small intestine, colon, and bottom. They can treat many conditions including colon cancer, haemorrhoids, anal fissures and inflammatory bowel disease.
Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon (or Otolaryngologist)
They treat diseases of the ears, nose, throat, sinuses, head, neck, and respiratory system. They also can do reconstructive and plastic surgery on your head and neck.
General Surgeon
These doctors can operate on all parts of your body. They can take out a tumour, appendix, or gallbladder, and repair hernias.
Maxillo-facial (‘Max-fax’) Surgeon (or Oral Surgeon)
They carry out surgery on the face, head and neck, mouth, and jaws. This includes facial plastic/cosmetic surgery, e.g. for a cleft lip or palate.
Neurosurgeon
Neurosurgeons assess, diagnose, and carry out surgery on the central nervous system, including the brain and spine.
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (O&G)
These doctors focus on womens’ health, including pregnancy and childbirth. Some of them focus on womens’ reproductive system (gynaecologists), e.g. for heavy periods, endometriosis, cancer of the cervix, ovaries, or uterus (womb), or infertility. Others specialise in caring for pregnant women (obstetricians).
Ophthalmologist
These are doctors who can treat all types of eye condition, as well as operate on the eyes.
Orthopaedic Surgeon
These are doctors who specialise in surgery of the musculoskeletal system – including bones, joints, ligaments and muscles. Some carry out surgery on people that have had trauma as well.
Plastic Surgeon
Plastic surgeons are focused on reconstructive procedures. They look after patients with birth disorders, injuries, illnesses, or burns – operating on the skin, face, hands, breasts, or body. That can happen after an injury or for cosmetic and other reasons.
Transplant Surgeon
A transplant surgeon is a surgeon who performs organ transplants. Among the many organs that can be transplanted are: kidneys, livers, hearts, lungs, the pancreas, and the intestine (especially the small intestine).
They tend to sub-specialise in transplanting one organ, e.g. kidney, liver or heart. Kidney transplant surgeons also perform operations on dialysis patients – e.g. fistulae for haemodialysis; and peritoneal dialysis catheters for that type of dialysis. This is called ‘access surgery’.
Urologist
These are surgeons who care for men and women for problems in the urinary tract, including the kidneys and bladder, and prostate gland (in men). Problems include stones, cancer and infection. They also treat erectile dysfunction (ED) and infertility.
Vascular Surgeon
Vascular surgeons diagnose and manage conditions affecting the circulation, including disease of the arteries and veins. They carry out operations on all parts of the vascular system apart from the heart and the brain.
Summary
We have described what is a hospital surgeon. We hope you understand it better now.
