The specialty of general surgery requires knowledge and expertise in the perioperative management of patients with a broad spectrum of diseases, including those which may require nonoperative, elective, or emergency surgical treatment.
General surgeons mainly focus on abdominal contents including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum), large intestine (colon, rectum, and anus), liver, pancreas, gallbladder, appendix and bile ducts, and often the thyroid gland. They also deal with diseases involving the skin, breast, soft tissue, trauma, Peripheral artery disease, and hernias and perform endoscopic procedures such as gastroscopy and colonoscopy.
General surgery is a surgical specialty which encompasses operations and procedures for a wide range of common ailments that occur frequently. The general surgeons at the Bayou Region Surgery Center (BRSC) in Thibodaux are highly skilled and experienced at performing procedures involving:
- The alimentary/digestive tract, including the stomach, esophagus, mouth, pharynx, and large and small intestines
- The abdomen and abdominal contents, including the kidneys, liver, pancreas, appendix, colon, spleen, and gall bladder
- Anorectal procedures
- Hernia repair
- The endocrine system, including adrenal glands, thyroid, parathyroid, pituitary gland, pineal gland, hypothalamus, thymus, testes, and ovaries
- Surgical oncology
Our general surgeons utilize the most advanced techniques available to manage all aspects of your surgical procedure, including diagnosis, preoperative and postoperative care. At BRSC, we are pleased to offer our patients the benefits of out-patient surgery options in a state-of-the-art facility close to home and family.
General Surgery at Bayou Region Surgery Center
Abdominal Surgery
Abdominal surgery includes treatment for conditions, diseases, or injuries involving organs within the abdominal cavity. Our general surgeons utilize traditional open surgery (opening the abdominal cavity, typically single incision) when necessary and minimally invasive procedures (laparoscopic) when possible to achieve the optimal outcome for our patients.
Some of the most common abdominal surgeries performed by general surgeons in the outpatient and inpatient failities include:
- Appendectomy – Removal of the appendix
- Cholecystectomy – Removal of the gallbladder
- Hernia repair – Repair to place a part of the body (often the small intestine) back into its original position after protruding through a weak abdominal muscle
Hernia Surgery
A hernia occurs when an organ or fatty tissue protrudes through weakened muscles of the abdominal wall. Most hernias do not go away on their own, and, while they can be harmless and asymptomatic, hernias can worsen and become dangerous over time. Treatment to repair a hernia involves surgery and is typically a low-risk procedure that can often be achieved utilizing a minimally invasive technique.
Types of hernia surgeries include:
- Laparoscopic hernia repair: A thin telescopic instrument (laparoscope) equipped with a camera is inserted through a small incision near the hernia. The surgeon uses tiny instruments to repair the area and places a special mesh over the weakened area to strengthen the abdominal wall and hold the protruding tissue in place.
- Open hernia repair: In some cases, minimally invasive techniques are not suitable for the patient, so open surgery is performed. A incision is made near the hernia site, and repair is made by pushing the protrusion back into place and is then contained with surgical mesh, stitches, or both.
Cancer Surgery
The goal of cancer surgery is to remove the entire cancer from the patient’s body. During cancer surgery, your surgeon will typically remove some surrounding tissue to be sure that no cancer remains in the affected area. Lymph nodes may also be taken out to determine if the cancer has spread to any other areas of the body.
General surgeons work closely with your oncologists and other doctors to plan and implement the best treatment for your individual needs. In many cases, cancer surgery can be performed laparoscopically, allowing a faster, more comfortable recovery.
Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery
The thyroid and parathyroid glands are part of the endocrine system in the body. The thyroid regulates hormones and metabolism, and the parathyroid helps control calcium levels in the blood. Thyroid and parathyroid surgery may be recommended due to:
- Growths (cysts, nodules, tumors)
- Enlargement (goiters)
- Overactivity
The type of thyroid or parathyroid surgery you have will depend on the severity of the condition being treated. In most cases, minimally invasive surgical methods can be used to remove or partially remove the affected glands.
Anorectal Surgery
Anorectal surgery can be performed to treat a wide range of conditions involving the anus and/or rectum. Some common conditions that we surgically treat include:
- Condyloma (warts)
- Hemorrhoids
- Fissures
- Fistulas
- Anal skin lesions
- Anal prolapse
- Anal or rectal polyps
- Cancer
Most anorectal surgeries can be performed endoscopically.
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Endoscopy is a non-surgical medical procedure during which a long, flexible tube equipped with a light and camera (endoscope) is passed into the digestive tract through the mouth and throat. The pictures are shown on a TV monitor so your surgeon can easily examine the esophagus, stomach, and part of the small intestine.
An endoscopy can be extremely useful in diagnosing problems or conditions in the digestive tract. In some cases, treatment can be performed simultaneously using specialized tools that can be passed through the endoscope.
Endoscopes are also used to perform colonoscopies to examine the large intestine (colon).
Disclaimer: These pages are not intended to provide medical or surgical advice or physician instruction on medical care or treatment. If you are a patient, consult with your doctor about treatment options that may be appropriate for your medical condition.