The craft of surgical care
What is surgery?
Surgery is a branch of medicine in which a trained physician — a surgeon — uses manual or instrument-based techniques to investigate or treat a disease, injury, or deformity. It involves cutting into the body to repair, remove, or replace affected tissue or organs. Surgery may be performed under local, regional, or general anesthesia depending on the nature and complexity of the procedure.
What is general surgery?
General surgery is the broadest surgical specialty, encompassing a wide range of procedures involving the abdomen, digestive tract, skin, soft tissue, breast, thyroid, and endocrine glands. A general surgeon is trained to diagnose and treat conditions that require surgical intervention across multiple organ systems, making this specialty foundational to any full-service hospital.
Who needs surgical intervention?
Surgery may be recommended when a condition cannot be effectively managed with medication, lifestyle changes, or other non-invasive treatments. A patient may need surgery if they have:
- •An acute abdominal emergency (e.g., appendicitis, perforated bowel)
- •Gallstones causing recurring pain or complications
- •A hernia that is painful or at risk of strangulation
- •Lumps, masses, or tumors requiring removal and biopsy
- •Chronic digestive conditions unresponsive to medical management
- •Thyroid disorders causing obstruction or malignancy concerns
- •Breast conditions including lumps or cysts requiring excision
- •Recurring throat infections (tonsillitis) significantly affecting quality of life
- •Nasal obstruction, sinusitis, or hearing issues requiring surgical correction
- •Traumatic injuries requiring emergency operative care
Types of surgery under general surgery
Our general surgery department performs a broad range of procedures across multiple organ systems.
Abdominal & gastrointestinal surgery
Appendectomy (removal of the appendix), bowel and colorectal surgery, treatment of intestinal obstruction, and management of GI cancers.
Hepatobiliary surgery
Cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder), management of bile duct conditions, and liver procedures.
Hernia repair
Inguinal, umbilical, incisional, and femoral hernias repaired via open or laparoscopic technique.
Breast surgery
Excision of breast lumps, mastectomy, and management of benign and malignant breast conditions.
Thyroid & parathyroid surgery
Thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy for nodules, goiter, hyperthyroidism, and cancer.
Skin and soft tissue procedures
Excision of cysts, lipomas, and suspicious skin lesions.
Laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgery
A keyhole approach used for many of the above procedures, offering smaller incisions, less pain, and faster recovery.
Ear, nose & throat
Complementing our general surgery services, our ENT (Otorhinolaryngology) unit provides surgical treatment for conditions affecting the head and neck region. Procedures offered include:
- Tonsillectomy & adenoidectomy: removal of chronically infected or obstructive tonsils and adenoids
- Myringotomy: surgical drainage of the middle ear for persistent fluid or infection
- Septoplasty: correction of a deviated nasal septum to restore normal breathing
- Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS): minimally invasive surgery for chronic sinusitis
- Laryngoscopy: examination and treatment of the larynx and vocal cords
- Thyroid surgery (ENT approach): for lesions originating in or adjacent to the ENT field
- Head and neck mass excision: removal of lumps, cysts, or lymph node abnormalities in the neck
General surgeons and surgical unit staff
Delivering safe, high-quality surgical care requires a coordinated, multidisciplinary team. Our surgical unit consists of:
Consultant surgeon
The lead physician responsible for diagnosing the condition, planning the procedure, and performing the operation. Subspecialized in general surgery, laparoscopic surgery, or ENT as appropriate.
Surgical registrar / house officer
A qualified physician training in surgery who assists the consultant in theatre and manages patients on the ward.
Anesthesiologist
A specialist physician responsible for administering and monitoring anesthesia throughout the procedure, ensuring the patient remains safe, comfortable, and pain-free.
Scrub nurse
A highly trained theatre nurse who is sterile-gowned, passes instruments to the surgeon, and maintains the integrity of the sterile field during surgery.
Circulating nurse
An unscrubbed theatre nurse who manages the wider operating environment; retrieving supplies, documenting, and coordinating care outside the sterile zone.
Theatre technician / ODP
Operating Department Practitioner — supports the anesthesiologist and ensures theatre equipment is prepared, calibrated, and functioning correctly.
Recovery nurse
Monitors the patient in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) immediately after surgery until they are stable and conscious enough to be transferred to the ward.
ENT surgeon
A specialist surgeon managing ear, nose, throat, head, and neck procedures within the surgical unit.
The operating theatre
Our operating theatres are designed and maintained to the highest standards of infection control and patient safety. Each theatre features:
- •A positive-pressure, HEPA-filtered ventilation system to minimize airborne contamination
- •A sterile scrub area for surgical hand preparation and gowning
- •Dedicated anesthesia bay for patient induction prior to entering the main theatre
- •Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU/recovery room) for close post-operative monitoring
- •Strict aseptic protocols and instrument sterilization via CSSD (Central Sterile Services Department)
Theatres are scheduled for elective (planned) procedures daily, with emergency surgical capacity available around the clock.
Equipment and technology
Our surgical unit is equipped with modern technology to support both open and minimally invasive procedures.
Procedure-specific sterile instrument sets are maintained and sterilized to international standards.
