General Surgery
Surgical treatment of abdominal organs, breast, thyroid and hernias, together with emergency surgery. Closed (laparoscopic) technique is preferred where suitable.
What is General Surgery?
General Surgery deals with the surgical treatment of the abdominal organs, the breast and thyroid gland, hernias and lesions beneath the skin. Not every condition is treated with an operation; the department’s first task is to reach the correct diagnosis and decide whether surgery is needed at all.
Where suitable, the closed (laparoscopic) technique is preferred: the abdomen is entered through small incisions, the hospital stay is shorter and the return to daily life is quicker. Which technique is used is decided by considering both the condition and the patient.
Which conditions does it cover?
- Gallbladder and bile duct disease
- Inguinal and abdominal wall hernias
- Appendicitis
- Haemorrhoids, anal fissure and fistula
- Pilonidal sinus
- Thyroid conditions (goitre, cysts and tumours)
- Breast tumours and cysts
- Stomach and bowel conditions
- Liver and pancreatic disease
- Varicose veins
- Injuries requiring emergency surgery
Procedures performed
- Closed (laparoscopic) gallbladder surgery
- Hernia repair
- Appendicectomy
- Haemorrhoid surgery and laser treatment
- Pilonidal sinus surgery
- Thyroid (goitre) surgery
- Breast tumour and cyst surgery
- Stomach and bowel surgery
- Endoscopy and colonoscopy
- Removal of moles and lipomas
When should you seek care?
- Recurrent pain in the upper right abdomen after meals
- A swelling in the groin or around the navel
- Bleeding or pain when opening your bowels
- A swelling in the neck or difficulty swallowing
- A lump you can feel in the breast
- Severe and worsening abdominal pain
The information on this page is for general guidance only; diagnosis and treatment decisions are made by your doctor after examination.
