General Surgery

A surgeon is a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) who specializes in the surgical treatment of patients. Dr. Vazquez has received 9 years of medical training and passed the two part comprehensive examination for certification by the American Board of Surgery on his first attempt. Those who are board certified general surgeons must have completed a five or six year residency in general surgery and must have passed a two part certification examination, the first part written and the second part, the oral exam, administered at a later date.

Dr. Vazquez is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, (F.A.C.S.). Following his board certification Dr. Vazquez applied for fellowship in the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Dr. Vazquez met their requirement that general surgeons be actively involved in the practice of general surgery for two years prior to application. He was required to submit a list of operations performed as well as an analysis of the outcome of 200 major operations.

Though the area is named General Surgery, it is actually a surgical specialty. The treatment modalaties practiced by a general surgeon vary somewhat depending on the needs of patients in the community and the background and skills of the surgeon.

General surgeons in most communities perform gastrointestinal operations including operations on the liver and spleen, breast operations for benign and malignant disease processes, anorectal operations (e.g. hemorrhoidectomy), laparoscopic and open operations for hernia, gallbladder, and other abdominal conditions, and operation and treatment of varicose veins. General surgeons are usually called upon to provide either direct care or coordination of sub-specialty care for multiply injured patients (e.g. blunt trauma or penetrating trauma). Dr. Vazquez's practice includes but is not limited to the following surgical diseases:

• Benign and Malignant Breast Diseases
• Benign and Malignant disaeses for which vascular access operations are required (Ports and Catheters)
• Abnormal Mammograms
• Hernias requiring open or laparoscopic repair
• Gallbladder diseases requiring open or laparoscopic treatment and laparoscopic removal of common bile duct stones

Dr. Vazquez is one of the few general surgeons in our community who performs laparoscopic removal of gallstones which have passed from the gallbladder into the bile ducts. His performance of this procedure as an addition to laparoscopic cholecystectomy, diminishes his patients' needs for pre or post-operative ERCP by 90%. ERCP carries a price tag of about $2000 plus exposure to 5% serious complication and 1% mortality. Avoidance of such a costly, uncomfortable, and possibly injurious procedure is a priority.

• Anorectal Disorders, e.g., rectal bleeding and hemorrhoids

Some referring physicians appreciate the diversity and completeness of surgical procedures offered. For example, for the diagnosis and treatment of rectal bleeding, essentially one-stop shopping is available. Endoscopy plus operative treatment of the disorder avoids unnecessary duplication of services and of forming additional unnecessary doctor-patient relationships and financial obligations. Similar procedures include:

• Gastrointestinal disorders which require operative and/or endoscopic evalutation or treatment
• Varicose Vein Disorders including Spider Veins e.g., Vein Closusre®, sclerotherapy, pin stripping and micro-incision phlebectomy (vein removal)

Some subspeciality trained vascular surgeons perform varicose vein operations while others prefer to not be active in the performance of such operations. On occasion, dermatologists or even general practitioners may perform some types of varicose veins procedures and sclerotherapy for varicose disorders.