What to do when selecting surgical
electives in medical school

The American College of Surgeons recognizes around 14 surgical specialties, which are:

• Cardiothoracic surgery.
• Colon and rectal surgery.
• General surgery.
• Gynecology and obstetrics.
• Gynecologic oncology.
• Neurological surgery.
• Ophthalmic surgery.
• Oral and maxillofacial surgery.
• Orthopedic surgery.
• Otorhinolaryngology.
• Pediatric surgery.
• Plastic and maxillofacial surgery.
• Urology and vascular surgery.

Medical students can choose any one of the aforementioned specialties when studying in medical school. Let us now define some of them in brief detail.

1. Cardiothoracic & Thoracic Surgery

Cardiothoracic surgery is a sub-branch of Thoracic surgery. Thoracic surgery involves operative management, perioperative care and critical care of patients suffering from pathological issues in the chest.

It specifically includes surgical care for coronary artery disease, lung cancer, esophagus cancer, chest wall cancer, great vessels and heart walls’ abnormalities, congenital anomalies, tumors of the mediastinum and diaphragm diseases.

Management of windpipe and chest injuries are also part of thoracic surgery.

A thoracic surgeon has the knowledge, experience and technical skill to accurately diagnose, perform surgery safely, and to effectively manage patients having intrathoracic abnormalities that require surgical treatment.

The ability to provide such treatment requires substantial knowledge of cardiorespiratory physiology and oncology. It also requires the surgeon’s capability in using extracorporeal circulation, cardiac assist gadgets, managing cardiac dysrhythmias, pleural drainage, respiratory support systems, endoscopy and other invasive and non-invasive diagnostic techniques.

1. Colon & rectal surgery

Colon and rectal surgeons develop the knowledge and skills needed to diagnose and treat various ailments of the intestinal tract, colon, rectum, anal canal, and the perianal area by medical or surgical means, or both.

Such skills and knowledge are acquired by these surgeons after years of extensive training.

Colon and rectal surgeons also have expertise in diagnosing and managing anorectal conditions such as hemorrhoids, fissures (painful tears in the anal lining), abscesses and fistulae (infections present around the rectum and anus).

The field also treats issues of colon and intestines. Surgeons in this field also perform endoscopic procedures to detect and treat conditions of the bowel lining (cancer, precancerous growths & inflammatory conditions).

Colon and rectal surgeons also perform abdominal surgical procedures involving the small bowel, colon, and rectum, including treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (chronic ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, and cancer).

Training in colon & rectal surgery provides the aspiring surgeon an in-depth knowledge of anorectal & intestinal physiology. Such is needed for the evaluation and treatment of issues like constipation and incontinence.

These surgeons are committed to the highest standards of care for patients with diseases that affect the lower gastrointestinal tract.

1. General Surgery

General surgeons are specialists who are trained to manage a broad spectrum of surgical conditions which can affect any area of the human body. Here, the surgeon creates the diagnosis and provides the preoperative, operative, and post-operative care to patients.

The general surgeon is also responsible for managing the trauma victim and the patient who is critically ill.

The general surgeon acquires knowledge and technical skills during a five-Year educational period after completion of Doctor of Medicine degree. This general surgeon manages medical conditions relevant to the head, neck, breast, skin, soft tissues, abdominal wall, extremities, the

gastrointestinal, vascular and endocrine systems.

1. Obstetrics and Gynecology

Obstetrics and gynecology specialists are a physicians trained to provide both medical and surgical care to female patients. They also provide care to pregnant patients in order to deliver babies safely under sanitary conditions, as well providing medical (and surgical) treatment to conditions affecting the female reproductive system.

Some obstetricians & gynecologists have strong professional interests in specific areas such as adolescent/pediatric gynecology, pelviscopic treatment, urogynecology, gynecology or infectious diseases. Their practice is focused on or more of these areas of specialty.

All of these physicians are also trained in maintaining health and giving preventative care to women. Such is due to the fact they have a particular knowledge and skills enabling them to serve as consultants to physicians practicing in other areas of medicine.

In this discipline, there are further subspecialties requiring additional training. The are maternal-fetal medicine specialists and reproductive endocrinologists.

Maternal-fetal medicine specialists are obstetricians/gynecologists who care for, and consult on; patients with high-risk pregnancies. Reproductive endocrinologists are capable of managing complex problems related to reproductive endocrinology & infertility, including aspects of assisted reproduction, like vitro fertilization (IVF).

1. Gynecologic Oncology

A gynecologic oncologist is a specialist trained in the comprehensive management of patients with gynecologic cancer (cancer that affects the female reproductive system). Surgeons practicing this specialty study these conditions; which differ significantly in the rates of cause, detection, prevention, treatment & survival.

1. Neurological Surgery

Neurological surgery is that surgical specialty (and field of medicine) that deals with diagnosis, evaluation & treatment of disorders of the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems (including their supportive systems and vascular supply).

Neurological surgery involves the evaluation and treatment of pathological processes that modify the function or activity of the nervous system (including the pituitary gland).

1. Ophthalmic Surgery

AN ophthalmologist is concerned with giving eyes and vision comprehensive care. Hence, they are practically the only medical practitioners who are medically trained and licensed to diagnosed and treat issues of the eye (& vision).

Ophthalmologists provide vision services (glasses, contact lenses and the like), treat the eye’s medical disorders and perform surgical methods for treating them as well.