General Surgeon

General Surgeon
Taxonomy Code 208600000X

Classification: Surgery

Quick Links : Map of General Surgeons per State | Number of General Surgeons per State

Description

A general surgeon has expertise related to the diagnosis - preoperative, operative and postoperative management - and management of complications of surgical conditions in the following areas: alimentary tract; abdomen; breast, skin and soft tissue; endocrine system; head and neck surgery; pediatric surgery; surgical critical care; surgical oncology; trauma and burns; and vascular surgery. General surgeons increasingly provide care through the use of minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques. Many general surgeons also possess expertise in transplantation surgery, plastic surgery and cardiothoracic surgery.

Notes

Source: American Board of Medical Specialties, 2007.
www.abms.org [7/1/2007: definition added, source added; 7/1/2011: modified source]

Additional Resources: American Board of Surgery, 2007.
http://www.absurgery.org/.
American Osteopathic Board of Surgery, 2007.
http://www.osteopathic.org/certification

Board certification for Medical Doctors (MDs) is provided by the American Board of Surgery.
Board certification for Doctors of Osteopathy (DOs) is provided by the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery.

Additional Taxonomy Codes from General Surgeon

• 2086H0002X Surgeon (Hospice and Palliative)
  A surgeon with special knowledge and skills to prevent and relieve the suffering experienced by patients with life-limiting illnesses. This specialist works with an interdisciplinary hospice or palliative care team to maximize quality of life while addressing physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of both patient and family throughout the course of the disease, through the dying process, and beyond for the family. This specialist has expertise in the assessment of patients with advanced disease; the relief of distressing symptoms; the coordination of interdisciplinary patient and family-centered care in diverse venues; the use of specialized care systems including hospice; the management of the imminently dying patient; and legal and ethical decision making in end-of-life care.
• 2086S0102X Surgeon (Critical Care)
  A surgeon with expertise in the management of the critically ill and postoperative patient, particularly the trauma victim, who specializes in critical care medicine diagnoses, treats and supports patients with multiple organ dysfunction. This specialist may have administrative responsibilities for intensive care units and may also facilitate and coordinate patient care among the primary physician, the critical care staff and other specialists.
• 2086S0105X Surgeon (Hand)
  A surgeon with expertise in the investigation, preservation and restoration by medical, surgical and rehabilitative means, of all structures of the upper extremity directly affecting the form and function of the hand and wrist.
• 2086S0120X Surgeon (Pediatric)
  A surgeon with expertise in the management of surgical conditions in premature and newborn infants, children and adolescents.
• 2086S0122X Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
  A surgeon who specializes in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
• 2086S0127X Trauma Surgeon
  Trauma surgery is a recognized subspecialty of general surgery. Trauma surgeons are physicians who have completed a five-year general surgery residency and usually continue with a one to two year fellowship in trauma and/or surgical critical care, typically leading to additional board certification in surgical critical care. There is no trauma surgery board certification at this point. To obtain board certification in surgical critical care, a fellowship in surgical critical care or anesthesiology critical care must be completed during or after general surgery residency.
• 2086S0129X Vascular Surgeon
  A surgeon with expertise in the management of surgical disorders of the blood vessels, excluding the intracranial vessels or the heart.
• 2086X0206X Surgeon (Oncology)
  A surgical oncologist is a well-qualified surgeon who has obtained additional training and experience in the multidisciplinary approach to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of cancer patients, and devotes a major portion of his or her professional practice to these activities and cancer research.

Volume numbers are based on primary as well as secondary taxonomy codes of Providers.