If you’ve ever had an appendectomy, you’ve probably been treated by a general surgeon. These specialists perform an array of surgeries, from removing tumors to repairing a severely broken bone.
Some more common types of general surgery include:
- Removal of the appendix
- Hernia repair
- Bariatric surgery
- Endocrine surgery
- Advanced minimally invasive surgery (including robotics)
- Surgery for trauma, such as repairing severe injuries to tissues, organs and bones
The general surgeons at Stormont Vail Health take a team-based approach by closely working with other surgeons and medical specialists in the clinic and in the operating room. For example, if you’re having a malignant tumor removed, general surgeons will work closely with your oncologist or other specialists.
If you need surgery, you might have a lot of concerns. Our surgeons provide pre-operative and post-operative education to patients, helping you understand what to expect after surgery and how to accelerate your healing process.
Before surgery, your general surgeon also can connect you to materials that can help you understand your condition and symptoms, as well as any resources you might need for recovery, such as financial counseling or other patient services.
And because Stormont Vail is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, we have access to Mayo Clinic patient education resources as well.
We will keep your primary care provider apprised of your procedures, treatments, and health status. We also encourage you to keep in touch with your primary care provider before and after treatment for care such as physicals and flu shots.
What Surgeries Do We Offer?
Many surgeries can be done using minimally invasive technology. Because this involves a smaller incision (cut), patients who have minimally invasive surgery tend to have a lower risk of blood loss during surgery, lower chance of infection afterward, and a quicker recovery.
At Stormont Vail, minimally invasive technology is used for:
- Gallbladder surgery
- Hernia repair
- Colon resectioning
- Spleen resectioning (splenectomy)
- Pancreatic surgery for benign and malignant conditions
- Esophageal cancer surgery for benign and malignant conditions
We also perform traditional surgical procedures for:
- Breast cancer surgery
- Vascular access (i.e., creating an easy access to the bloodstream by inserting a tube, placing a catheter or through the patient’s own blood vessel)
- Colorectal surgery
- Colon cancer surgery
- Vascular surgery — including carotid surgery and aneurysm repair
- Cancer surgery
- Skin cancer removal
- Liver surgery
- Endocrine surgery — including adrenal, parathyroid, and thyroid
- Emergency and trauma surgery
Robotic Surgery
Many surgeries can be performed with a robotic surgical system. Robotic surgery is minimally invasive, meaning your surgeon will make a small cut, rather than a large incision.
During the procedure, a robotic arm will go into the cut. The surgeon will use tiny surgical instruments attached to the robot’s arm to perform the procedure.
Robotic surgery is both safe and effective. The robot technology allows us to make even smaller, more precise movements. And since robots have small cameras attached to them, we can also get a clearer picture of the area where the surgery is being performed, and move around the area more comfortably.
Another benefit of robotic surgery is a shorter, less painful recovery process.
At Stormont Vail Health, robotic surgery is used for urology, cardiothoracic, and gynecological surgeries.
Meet Our Team
Our general surgeons have extensive experience in surgeries for both minor and complex conditions. Also, they are all trauma surgeons who work at our Level II Trauma Center.
