General surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on abdominal organs, e.g. intestines including esophagus, stomach, small bowel, colon, liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts, and often the thyroid gland. They also deal with diseases involving the skin and hernias. These surgeons deal mainly in the torso.

Surgeons certified by the American Board of Surgery have completed a minimum of five years of surgical residency training following medical school and successfully completed a written and oral examination process administered by the ABS.