Surgeons perform surgery to diagnose and treat patients.

Surgery is used to remove or repair damage to the body from injury or disease. Surgeons repair organs and blood vessels, determine the location and extent of disorders such as cancer, and repair bones and tissue after injuries.

Most surgeons specialize in one area of the body or one type of disorder.

• Orthopedic surgeons repair bone and joint injuries and disorders.
• Neurosurgeons treat disorders of the spinal cord and brain.
• Thoracic surgeons treat the heart, lungs, and vessels in the chest.

Before surgery, surgeons meet with patients. They ask questions to learn about a patient's medical history. They also examine patients and, if necessary, order lab tests. They also consult with the patients' other health care providers. Surgeons explain procedures they will use during surgery and answer patients' questions.

In the operating room, surgeons work with teams of people that include nurses, anesthesiologists, and surgical technicians. Surgeons assign tasks to team members. They make sure everything is sterile and all safety precautions are followed.

After the operation, surgeons make sure patients receive proper care. They check in with patients to see how they are responding to surgery.

Surgeons share similar tasks with other types of physicians, they:

• Assign tasks to nurses and other health care workers
• Consult with other health care professionals
• Oversee the business aspects of running an office
• Keep detailed records about each patient
• Write reports for insurance companies and government agencies

Some surgeons teach at medical schools. They may also do research on procedures and treatments for disease. Surgeons must stay current on advances in medicine. Lasers and computer technology have changed the way many operations are performed. Surgeons learn new skills by working with other surgeons and taking classes.