Because surgery is such a broad medical specialty, surgeons usually specialize in a specific area. Surgical specialties are frequently divided into categories based on the type of patient, disease, or body part that a surgeon specializes in. A cardiac surgeon, also known as a heart surgeon, is a doctor who performs open-heart surgery or heart transplant surgery. A pediatric surgeon is usually the first person to see a child who requires surgery. When a patient needs surgery to repair a fracture, he or she may be referred to an orthopedic surgeon, who specializes in musculoskeletal injuries.
When a patient needs a tonsillectomy to remove diseased tonsils, an otorhinolaryngologist usually performs the procedure (ENT). Ear, nose, and throat surgeons deal with diseases and injuries of the ears, nose, and throat. Polyp removal is another procedure that an ENT may perform. Polyps are small growths inside the nasal cavity that can be removed an ENT. Cosmetic surgery of the nose and ear may also be performed these surgeons.
Plastic surgeons and reconstructive surgeons are two terms used to describe cosmetic surgeons. A cosmetic surgeon is a doctor who specializes in reconstructing various body parts in order to improve a person’s physical appearance. Procedures on the nose, jaw, eyelids, or breasts may be performed a reconstructive surgeon. Breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgery procedure in which cosmetic surgeons use breast implants to create fuller, uplifted breasts.
A neonatal surgeon is often called upon to treat premature infants who require delicate surgery. During the first few months of life, this type of surgeon will perform procedures on infants. However, once a bareaches the age of three or four months, he is usually treated a pediatrician.
Neurosurgeons typically treat patients who have suffered a head injury or who require brain surgery. These surgeons repair skull and brain injuries as well as treat brain hemorrhaging. Patients with brain tumors are also treated neurosurgeons. The majority of neurosurgeons also operate on the spinal cord.
A gynecological surgeon will treat women who need their uterus removed, also known as a hysterectomy. When a vaginal birth is not possible, a caesarian section is performed this type of surgeon. Other procedures involving a woman’s reproductive system are performed a gynecological surgeon.
Cataracts, retinal detachment, and glaucoma are all conditions that necessitate surgery an ophthalmologist. This type of surgeon specializes in procedures that repair or correct vision problems. Another procedure that the ophthalmologist performs is laser eye correction.