General Surgery

Some diseases cannot be eliminated with medications alone, so surgical intervention may be required. General surgery encompasses the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic diseases of the abdominal organs, hernias, purulent-inflammatory processes, and neoplasms.

At Oxford Medical, you can receive a surgeon's consultation, undergo the necessary examinations, and receive treatment in a modern surgical inpatient department. Operations are performed by experienced surgeons in high-tech operating rooms equipped with expert-class equipment. Whenever possible, they use minimally invasive techniques that reduce tissue trauma and facilitate recovery.

If you are concerned about symptoms that may require examination by a surgeon, do not postpone seeing a doctor. Schedule a consultation to undergo an examination and receive an individualized treatment plan.

Doctors at Oxford Medical recommend seeking medical help immediately if the pain occurred suddenly and is rapidly intensifying, the abdomen has become tense, repeated vomiting, a high temperature, or a painful protrusion that can no longer be reduced has appeared. Such manifestations may indicate an acute surgical condition.

Even moderate symptoms should not be left without attention if they recur or gradually intensify. A timely consultation helps establish the cause of the changes and begin treatment before complications develop.

A general surgeon diagnoses and treats acute and chronic diseases of the abdominal organs, abdominal wall, skin, and soft tissues.

The doctor provides treatment for:

• acute appendicitis, inflammation of the gallbladder, intestinal obstruction, and peritonitis;

• gallstone disease, gallbladder polyps, and other pathologies that may require an operation;

• inguinal, umbilical, postoperative, and other types of hernia;

• abscesses, furuncles, carbuncles, infected wounds, and other purulent-inflammatory processes;

• lipomas, atheromas, fibromas, and other benign formations of the skin and subcutaneous tissue;

• postoperative complications, including inflammation, suppuration, or changes in the area of the scar.

The treatment method depends on the diagnosis, the nature of the disease, and the patient’s condition. In some cases, an outpatient procedure is sufficient; in others, a planned or emergency operation in a hospital is required.

When a patient consults a surgeon, the consultation begins with clarification of the symptoms: the doctor asks when they appeared, where they are localized, and what intensifies or reduces their manifestations. Separately, the surgeon clarifies whether treatment was previously carried out, what operations the patient has undergone, whether the patient has chronic diseases, and what medications the patient takes.

During the appointment, the doctor also:

• conducts an examination and palpation, assesses tenderness and other changes in the area that concerns the patient;

• studies the results of previous tests and examinations, if available;

• determines whether additional laboratory or instrumental diagnostics are needed;

• establishes a preliminary diagnosis and determines further treatment tactics.

If an operation is not needed, the surgeon provides recommendations regarding conservative treatment or observation. If there are indications for intervention, the doctor explains which method may be used, how to prepare for the operation, and how recovery will proceed. The final treatment plan is drawn up after the results of the necessary examinations are obtained.

At the Oxford Medical center, you can undergo comprehensive diagnostics using expert-class equipment. Depending on the indications, the surgeon may prescribe:

• laboratory tests of blood and urine;

• ultrasound of the abdominal organs, soft tissues, and other anatomical areas;

• computed tomography (CT);

• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);

• radiography;

• endoscopic examinations.

Doctors at Oxford Medical recommend not undergoing examinations independently without a consultation. The optimal list of examinations is determined by the surgeon after the examination, which helps avoid unnecessary procedures, establish a diagnosis more quickly, and begin treatment.

Planned and emergency surgical interventions are performed in the general surgery department of Oxford Medical. The surgeon selects the method of operation individually, taking into account the diagnosis, stage of the disease, and general condition of the patient.

According to the method of performance, the following are distinguished:

• Laparoscopic operations are minimally invasive interventions performed through several small punctures in the abdominal wall. A laparoscope with a video camera and surgical instruments are inserted through them. The image of the surgical area is transmitted to a monitor, which allows the surgeon to perform the necessary manipulations accurately without a large incision.

• Open operations are interventions during which the surgeon makes an incision and gains direct access to the organ or affected area. This method is used when it ensures the safest and most effective performance of the operation.

• Minor surgical interventions are procedures that are usually performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. These include the removal of small formations of the skin and soft tissues, wound treatment, opening an abscess, and other procedures.

According to the recommendations of the World Society of Emergency Surgery, in emergency diseases of the abdominal organs, the laparoscopic approach is considered a priority in patients with a stable condition if its use is possible and safe. The final method of operation is determined by the surgeon, taking into account the clinical situation.

After the examination, the surgeon determines not only the method of the operation but also the required scope of the intervention. It depends on the characteristics of the disease, the extent of the pathological process, and the patient’s condition. That is why operations are divided into complexity categories.

When determining the category, the following are taken into account:

• the type and scope of the planned intervention;

• the laparoscopic or open method of performing the operation;

• the presence of complications;

• the patient’s concomitant diseases;

• the need for additional surgical techniques or special equipment.

Category I usually includes interventions of a smaller scope, Category II includes more complex operations, and Category III includes the most extensive and technically complex operations. The final category is determined by the surgeon after the consultation and examination, when the exact diagnosis and planned scope of treatment are known.

At the Oxford Medical center, appointments are conducted by experienced surgeons who consult patients with various diseases. To make an appointment with a surgeon in Kyiv, submit a request on the website through the online appointment form or call the contact center. You can review the current cost of the appointment here in advance.

The information is for informational purposes and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.

Sources:

• World Society of Emergency Surgery

• Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons

• US National Library of Medicine