General surgery
General surgery covers common abdominal and soft tissue conditions, hernias, gallstones, appendicitis, and conditions of the anus and rectum. Many are treated with keyhole surgery and some need no operation at all.
Hernias
A hernia occurs when tissue pushes through a weak point in the abdominal wall, producing a lump that may appear on standing or straining and disappear on lying down.
Hernias do not heal on their own. Repair is recommended when a hernia is symptomatic or where there is a meaningful risk of complications. Small, symptom-free hernias are sometimes monitored instead.
Sudden severe pain in a hernia that will no longer reduce is an emergency and needs immediate assessment.
Gallstones
Gallstones are common and many cause no symptoms at all. When they do, it is typically pain in the upper right abdomen after eating, often worse with fatty meals.
Gallstones causing symptoms are usually treated by removing the gallbladder, most often laparoscopically. Gallstones found incidentally and causing no symptoms frequently need no treatment.
Appendicitis
Appendicitis causes abdominal pain that characteristically begins centrally and moves to the lower right, often with nausea and fever. It is usually treated by removing the appendix, frequently through keyhole surgery.
Appendicitis is a surgical emergency. Suspected appendicitis needs urgent assessment, not an outpatient appointment.
Proctology
Conditions of the anus and rectum, haemorrhoids, anal fissures, fistulas and pilonidal sinus disease, are common and frequently go unreported because people find them embarrassing.
They are also very treatable. Importantly, rectal bleeding should never be assumed to be haemorrhoids without assessment, because other conditions including bowel cancer can present the same way.
Common questions
Do all gallstones need surgery?
No. Gallstones found incidentally that cause no symptoms often need no treatment. Surgery is generally recommended when gallstones are causing pain or have caused complications.
Can a hernia heal without surgery?
No. A hernia is a physical defect in the abdominal wall and will not close on its own. Small hernias causing no symptoms are sometimes monitored, but they do not resolve.
I have rectal bleeding. Is it just haemorrhoids?
It may well be, but this should not be assumed without assessment. Other conditions, including bowel cancer, can cause identical symptoms. Rectal bleeding is worth having properly assessed rather than self-diagnosed.
Still not sure whether it needs looking at?
Most breast changes turn out to be benign. Working out which ones are is what an assessment is for, and the guides here explain what that involves before you go.