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General Surgeons: The Backbone of Hospital Emergency Departments

Some people see the word “general” and get the wrong idea. Are these doctors who don’t specialize? On the contrary.

General surgeons are the backbone of an emergency department in any hospital – performing some of the most common procedures. These are highly-skilled and detail-oriented physicians – frequently operating on the esophagus, stomach, large and small intestines, pancreas, gallbladder, appendix, liver, and bile ducts.

Group of surgeons in the operating room

Leading-Edge General Surgery Services

At Catholic Health, our general surgeons are all board-certified, with knowledge and experience you can trust.

General surgery is a field that continues to be revolutionized by technology. Robotic surgery and minimally invasive techniques have been proven to improve patient outcomes and reduce recovery times.

Close up of a surgeon in the operating room

Common General Surgery Procedures 

Best practices may differ depending on the patient’s condition, so the care team can recommend a nonoperative solution, elective procedure, or emergency surgery as treatment.

Hernia Repair

A hernia is a hole in the abdominal wall that may allow organs or tissues to come through. Catholic Health general surgeons provide compassionate care to patients of all ages who may be suffering from hernias. The important thing to understand is that a hernia doesn’t heal on its own – it requires medical attention.

Gallbladder Removal

Gallbladder disease, including gallstones, may present with chest or abdominal pain, as well as symptoms triggered after eating. Though it may sound like major surgery, gallbladder removal is a very common procedure for our general surgeons. Advanced techniques have greatly enhanced the patient experience.

Emergency Surgery

A broad knowledge of the anatomy within the abdominal region allows general surgeons to be a great resource for emergency surgeries such as appendectomies and bowel resections.

Close up of surgeons' hands in the operating room

General Surgery Specializations

Given the vast knowledge that our general surgeons possess, it is not uncommon for our doctors to cross-specialize in:

  • Bariatric surgery
  • Breast surgery
  • Colorectal surgery
  • Gastrointestinal surgery
  • Endocrine surgery (thyroid, adrenal gland, etc.)
  • Wound care
A surgeon checking a monitor

"My soulmate had emergency appendix surgery because of a perforated appendix. She was one of the most severe cases if not the severest case. I want to personally thank all of her nurses, aides, and staff for making her week long stay as comfortable as she could be! The laughs, the tears, you all helped her through a very dark time! Thank you Dr. Ken and your Surgical team you absolutely saved my soulmate through the guiding light of Gods hand! I’m truly indebted to you all! Thank you Mercy Hospital of South Buffalo 10 stars across the board!"

Scot M.

"I recently was in Kenmore Mercy for surgery. From the time I checked in to pre-op to post-op, finally in my room the staff was awesome. They all took really great care of me. Best hospital ever for me."

Tamela G.

"I had surgery to remove my gallbladder. I had no prior experience with Mercy Hospital, but had a couple friends who said they had a good experience. All the staff in this area were kind and efficient. My surgery went well and I was released shortly afterward that same day, as expected. Thankfully my recuperation is going smoothly. I had a very good experience at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo. Thanks to the staff and Dr. Scarbinsky who is excellent."

Anonymous

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