The Department of General Surgery performs a wide variety of functions. The most prominent function is minimal access surgery, otherwise known as laparoscopic surgery. The consultants in the department have been doing this for more than ten years. The procedures include Cholecytectomy of which a very large numbers are done every year. Other procedures include repair of inguinal and ventral hernia, removal of appendix, and diagnostic laparoscopics. Laparoscopic assisted hysterectomies are being regularly done.

Besides Minimal Access Surgery, a variety of general surgical procedures are done. In the neck, surgery of thyroid gland is regularly done. Abdominal surgery for acute emergencies, intestinal obstructions and surgical jaundice are other commonly performed procedures.

The department has been recognized by the National Board of Examinations for post-graduate training in General Surgery. This is a recognition of talent of the consultants in the Department.

The operation theaters are new and modern. They have state of art instruments, and the surgical and anaesthetic equipment ensures patient safety.

The care of the patient is enhanced by a very active Infection Control Committee, and this has brought down the infection rate in elective surgery to almost a zero level.

A well equipped and a well staffed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is attached to the operating rooms. All seriously ill patients, and patients after major surgery, like renal transplant and resections for cancer are taken care of in the surgical ICU.

The department attends to all surgical emergencies received in the casualty department.

Renal Transplant.

Renal transplant activity is a co-coordinated activity of the departments of Surgery, Urology and Nephrology. In line with the policies of the Government, live related donors from the bulk of transplants. There is a special facility to nurse the transplant recipients in the surgical ICU, and in addition there is a special facility on the 4th floor where transplant patients are nursed for the first two weeks. These two facilities ensure that critical care and recovery and provided to the patient in an infection free environment.

The success rate of the transplant is high, and over 90% of our patients are alive with functioning kidneys at the end of one year.