Because there are so many specialties and subspecialties in medicine, there are many different types of surgeon jobs. Those interested in practicing surgery must first complete medical school and then enroll in a surgical residency program. They will be able to work as general surgeons once they have completed this. General surgeons perform a wide range of operations on the body’s major organs. Many surgeon jobs, however, go beyond general surgery and focus on the surgical treatment of a specific body system, such as the skeletal system, the central nervous system, or the cardiothoracic system. Alternatively, a surgeon may specialize not only in specific areas of the body, but also in specific types of patients, such as pediatric versus adult patients.
Orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, otolaryngology surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, neurosurgery, vascular surgery, surgical oncology, anesthesiology, transplant surgery, and trauma surgery are some of the most common surgeon jobs and specialties. Each of these may have slightly different training times, and each could benefit from a little explanation:
For those who want to focus on the musculoskeletal system, orthopedic surgery may be one of the best surgeon jobs. Such surgeons may perform spine surgery, repair severely damaged bones, and assist in the repair of injuries to muscles, bones, or ligaments sustained as a result of trauma or injury during sports.
Cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery are the two main areas of focus for plastic surgeons. While some people believe that plastic surgery is only concerned with appearance, this is not the case. Some plastic surgeons put in a lot of effort to repair damage to the face or other parts of the body caused congenital issues or accidents. Many surgeon positions in the field are split evenly between reconstructive and cosmetic procedures.
Otolaryngology surgery focuses on procedures involving the ear, nose, throat, sinuses, and occasionally the neck or head. Tonsils are removed, cleft palates are repaired, and tumors in the sinuses are removed such surgeons.
Damage to the heart and the valves that surround it is addressed in cardiothoracic surgery. Surgeons may use surgical techniques to add shunts, replace valves, remove overgrown parts of the heart, or repair parts that aren’t working properly.
Neurosurgery is a branch of surgery that focuses on disorders of the central nervous system. These surgeons are capable of performing brain surgery, as well as spinal surgery and procedures on damaged peripheral nerves.
Vascular surgery and neurosurgery and cardiothoracic surgery may overlap. This field focuses on the treatment of disorders that affect the veins and arteries.
Surgical oncology is a type of cancer treatment that involves surgically removing cancerous cells.
Anesthesiology is one of the surgeon’s jobs, though it usually involves the management of anesthesia during procedures performed others.
Transplant surgery focuses on replacing damaged organs with those from living or recently deceased people.
In an emergency, trauma surgeons are capable of performing a wide range of procedures.
Another specialty worth mentioning is pediatric surgery, which focuses on the treatment of children. Many pediatric surgeons are also experts in a specific surgical field. Pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons, pediatric orthopedic surgeons, pediatric neurosurgeons, and pediatric surgical oncologists are just a few examples. Those who want to work as pediatric surgeons will have to go through even more training.