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Are you considering a career in surgery? If so, you have many options to choose from. In this blog post, we will explore the different surgical residency paths and subspecializations available. We will also provide information on the requirements for each specialty and the job outlook for surgeons.
Categorical Surgical Residency Options
There are six categorical surgical residency options available in the United States. These residencies are:
- General Surgery
- Plastic Surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
- Urology
Each of these residencies has its own unique requirements and training program. For more information on each specialty, please see the links below.
General Surgery
General surgery is the most common surgical residency. It provides a broad foundation in all aspects of surgery. General surgeons are trained to perform a wide variety of operations, including:
- Appendectomy
- Cholecystectomy
- Colectomy
- Gastrectomy
- Hernia repair
- Thyroidectomy
General surgeons also provide care for patients with trauma and burns.
Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on the reconstruction and repair of body tissues. Plastic surgeons are trained to perform a variety of procedures, including:
- Breast reconstruction
- Burn repair
- Cleft lip and palate repair
- Facial reconstruction
- Hand surgery
- Skin cancer surgery
Plastic surgeons also perform cosmetic procedures, such as liposuction and rhinoplasty.
Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the brain, spine, and peripheral nerves. Neurosurgeons are trained to perform a variety of procedures, including:
- Brain tumor removal
- Spinal cord injury repair
- Aneurysm repair
- Hydrocephalus treatment
- Pituitary gland surgery
- Stereotactic radiosurgery
Neurosurgeons also provide care for patients with head and neck injuries.
Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons are trained to perform a variety of procedures, including:
- Joint replacement
- Fracture repair
- Ligament reconstruction
- Tendon repair
- Sports medicine surgery
- Pediatric orthopedic surgery
Orthopedic surgeons also provide care for patients with back pain and neck pain.
Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) is a surgical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ear, nose, and throat. Otolaryngologists are trained to perform a variety of procedures, including:
- Tonsillectomy
- Adenoidectomy
- Ear tube placement
- Sinus surgery
- Head and neck cancer surgery
- Thyroid surgery
Otolaryngologists also provide care for patients with hearing loss and balance disorders.
Urology
Urology is a surgical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the urinary tract and male reproductive system. Urologists are trained to perform a variety of procedures, including:
- Prostatectomy
- Vasectomy
- Cystoscopy
- Ureteroscopy
- Nephrectomy
- Testicular cancer surgery
Urologists also provide care for patients with erectile dysfunction and incontinence.
Vascular Surgery
Vascular surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the blood vessels. Vascular surgeons are trained to perform a variety of procedures, including:
- Aortic aneurysm repair
- Carotid endarterectomy
- Bypass surgery
- Angioplasty
- Stent placement
- Varicose vein surgery
Vascular surgeons also provide care for patients with deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Colorectal Surgery
Colorectal surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the colon and rectum. Colorectal surgeons are trained to perform a variety of procedures, including:
- Colectomy
- Rectectomy
- Ostomy creation
- Hemorrhoidectomy
- Fistula repair
- Diverticulitis surgery
Colorectal surgeons also provide care for patients with colon cancer and rectal cancer.
Cardiothoracic/Thoracic Surgery
Cardiothoracic surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the heart, lungs, and esophagus. Cardiothoracic surgeons are trained to perform a variety of procedures, including:
- Coronary artery bypass grafting
- Valve repair or replacement
- Lung cancer surgery
- Esophagectomy
- Mediastinal tumor surgery
- Tracheostomy
Cardiothoracic surgeons also provide care for patients with heart failure and lung disease.
HPB (Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary)
HPB (Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary) surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the liver, pancreas, and bile ducts. HPB surgeons are trained to perform a variety of procedures, including:
- Liver transplant
- Pancreatectomy
- Biliary tract surgery
- Gallbladder surgery
- Hernia repair
- Splenectomy
HPB surgeons also provide care for patients with liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and biliary tract cancer.
Endocrine Surgery
Endocrine surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the endocrine system. Endocrine surgeons are trained to perform a variety of procedures, including:
- Thyroidectomy
- Parathyroidectomy
- Adrenalectomy
- Pituitary gland surgery
- Pancreatectomy
- Islet cell transplantation
Endocrine surgeons also provide care for patients with endocrine cancer.
Trauma Surgery
Trauma surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of injuries caused by trauma. Trauma surgeons are trained to perform a variety of procedures, including:
- Emergency surgery
- Wound repair
- Fracture repair
- Burn repair
- Amputation
- Rehabilitation
Trauma surgeons also provide care for patients with multiple injuries.
Transplant Surgery
Transplant surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on the transplantation of organs and tissues. Transplant surgeons are trained to perform a variety of procedures, including:
- Kidney transplant
- Liver transplant
- Heart transplant
- Lung transplant
- Pancreas transplant
- Bone marrow transplant
Transplant surgeons also provide care for patients with organ failure.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Minimally invasive surgery is a surgical technique that uses small incisions and specialized instruments to perform surgery. Minimally invasive surgery is less invasive than traditional open surgery, and it can offer a number of benefits, including:
- Less pain
- Shorter recovery time
- Reduced risk of infection
- Smaller scars
Minimally invasive surgery is used to treat a variety of conditions, including:
- Gallbladder disease
- Appendicitis
- Hernias
- Uterine fibroids
- Prostate cancer
- Colon cancer
Surgical Oncology
Surgical oncology is a surgical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Surgical oncologists are trained to perform a variety of procedures, including:
- Tumor removal
- Lymph node dissection
- Reconstruction surgery
- Palliative surgery
Surgical oncologists also provide care for patients with cancer before, during, and after surgery.
Breast Oncology
Breast oncology is a surgical subspecialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Breast oncologists are trained to perform a variety of procedures, including:
- Lumpectomy
- Mastectomy
- Breast reconstruction
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy
- Axillary lymph node dissection
Breast oncologists also provide care for patients with breast cancer before, during, and after surgery.
Pediatric Surgery
Pediatric surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of surgical conditions in children. Pediatric surgeons are trained to perform a variety of procedures, including:
- Appendectomy
- Cholecystectomy
- Hernia repair
- Pyloric stenosis repair
- Intussusception repair
- Cleft lip and palate repair
Pediatric surgeons also provide care for children with burns, trauma, and cancer.
Other Specialties with Surgical Procedures
In addition to the surgical specialties listed above, there are a number of other specialties that involve surgical procedures. These specialties include:
- Dermatology
- Gastroenterology
- Gynecology
- Ophthalmology
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Podiatry
These specialties are not considered to be surgical residencies, but they do involve the performance of surgical procedures.
Conclusion
If you are interested in a career in surgery, there are many different options available to you. You can choose from a variety of surgical residencies and subspecializations. With the right training and experience, you can become a successful surgeon and make a difference in the lives of your patients.