General surgery may be considered to be as much a surgical subspecialty as any other branch of surgery. An ENT surgeon would not attempt a bowel resection as much as a general surgeon would not perform a cochlear implant. Although there remains overlap with some procedures, there are restrictions to the types of operations which a particular surgical specialist may perform in Australia. As such general surgeons are specialists in a range of conditions involving abdominal, endocrine and breast pathologies amongst others. General surgeons are very capable of dealing with these conditions independently, but also recognize when a team based consultative approach is required. This is a dynamic specialty with rapid improvements in technology, anaesthesia and surgical techniques making surgery safer and more successful than ever. Although training may be tough, the lure of a procedural specialty where the results of procedures are immediately apparent and satisfying is considered by many to be more than adequate compensation. Those considering a career in general surgery need to appreciate that attention to detail, dedication to their job , the ability to work well in a team and think on one’s feet are essential traits.

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