The ABS considers general surgery to be a discipline encompassing
the following content areas:
Alimentary Tract
Abdomen and its Contents
Breast, Skin and Soft Tissue
Endocrine System
Head and Neck Surgery
Organ Transplantation
Pediatric Surgery
Surgical Critical Care
Surgical Oncology
Trauma/Burns and Acute Care Surgery
Vascular Surgery
1. The expected knowledge and performance of the certified
general surgeon is as follows:
Comprehensive clinical knowledge within each area listed, to include
epidemiology, anatomy, physiology, clinical presentation, and
pathology (including neoplasia).*
Knowledge of the scientific foundations in all areas, including
wound healing; infection; fluid management; shock and resuscitation;
immunology; antibiotic usage; metabolism; and use of enteral and
parenteral nutrition.
Experience and skill in the clinical evaluation, appropriate use of
radiologic imaging, and management of diseases within these areas,
including diagnosis; indications for surgery and non-surgical
treatment; preoperative, operative and postoperative care; and the
management of comorbidities and complications.
Extensive experience in minimally invasive surgery for the diagnosis
and treatment of diseases in these areas, including basic and
advanced laparoscopic procedures.
Substantial experience in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy,
including colonoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy and bronchoscopy.
2. The following specialty areas are independent of general
surgery; however the certified general surgeon is expected to be
familiar with their common diseases and operative techniques:
Thoracic surgery
Plastic and reconstructive surgery
Urgent and emergent problems in gynecologic, neurologic, orthopaedic,
and urologic surgery
* It should be recognized that the experience, knowledge and
skills required in each of the content areas will not necessarily
encompass the full range and complexity of procedures, particularly
advanced operations and treatments of a specialized nature. This
holds especially true of disciplines which have residencies approved
by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
and have separate processes for certification by the ABS. Specific
information on the expected proficiencies is outlined in the
Patient Care Curriculum Outline of the Surgical Council on
Resident Education (SCORE).
3. The certified general surgeon is also expected to have
knowledge of and experience in the following specific areas:
Resuscitation of critically ill patients, including trauma victims
Conscious sedation
Diagnostic ultrasonography, particularly of the following areas:
- Thyroid and parathyroid
- Breast
- Abdomen, including intraoperative and
laparoscopic
ultrasonography
- Endorectal
- Trauma, including Focused Assessment with
Sonography in Trauma (FAST) examination
Non-invasive diagnostic evaluation of the vascular system
Sentinel lymph node mapping for breast cancer and melanoma
4. The certified general surgeon is also expected to have
knowledge and skills in the management and team-based
interdisciplinary care of the following specific patient groups:
Terminally ill patients, to include palliative care and the
management of pain, weight loss, and cachexia in patients with
malignant and chronic conditions.
Geriatric surgical patients, to include operative and nonoperative
care, management of co-morbid chronic diseases, and the counseling
of patients and families.
