Overview of the Specialty
General surgeons are trained to manage a broad spectrum of diseases and injuries to almost any area of the body which requires surgery. These physicians are involved in diagnosis and treatment as well as pre-, intra- and post-operative care. They are usually responsible for the comprehensive management of trauma and critical care patients as well. Although its scope is broad, general surgery usually involves the abdomen, breasts, peripheral vasculature, skin and neck. General surgeons today in the United States only rarely perform complex neurologic, orthopaedic, thoracic or urologic procedures.
At a Glance
Training
- 4-5 years of residency
- Categorical and advanced positions available
These are minimum requirements. Some programs may have longer residencies.
Fellowships
| Subspecialty | Length |
|---|---|
| Breast Surgery | 1 year |
| Cardiothoracic Surgery | 2-3 years |
| Colorectal Surgery | 1 year |
| Critical Care Medicine | 1-2 years |
| Hand Surgery | 1 year |
| Minimally Invasive Surgery | 1 year |
| Pediatric Surgery | 1-2 years |
| Surgical Critical Care | 1 year |
| Surgical Oncology | 1-2 years |
| Transplant Surgery | 1-2 years |
| Vascular Surgery | 1-2 years |
Lifestyle
| Median, Academic Salary | $358,000 |
| Median, Clinical Salary | $383,000 |
Source: Association of American Medical Colleges
Training Requirements
Training consists of a minimum of five years of postgraduate education in general surgery training in an ACGME-accredited general surgery residency training program (this training may be reduced to four years in select training programs for those pursuing certain fellowships). There are 258 general surgery residency training programs accredited by the ACGME for 2015-16. In 2015, the NRMP offered 1,224 categorical positions in General Surgery (see table). Here is an online guide through the American College of Surgeons to choosing a surgical residency.
Matching Program Information and Match Statistics
General surgery residency training programs participate in the NRMP. Match results through the NRMP and competitiveness information for general surgery residency training positions are summarized in the U.S. Match Statistics table below.
US Match Statistics |
2015 |
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
| Competitiveness* | Interm | Interm | High | Interm |
| # Categorical/ Advanced positions available for U.S. Seniors | 1224 | 1205 | 1185 | 1146 |
| % U.S. Seniors matched* | 92% | 91% | 89% | 91% |
| # Unfilled Categorical/ Advanced Positions | 2 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| # Unmatched U.S. seniors | 66 | 68 | 86 | 71 |
Source: NRMP Match results for U.S. seniors applying in a single specialty. *Competitiveness is based upon the percentage of U.S. Seniors who ranked each specialty as their only choice.
WUSM Match Statistics
For a list of WUSM match statistics for the past several years, please visit Search for WUSM Statistics. (password protected)
Subspecialty/Fellowship Training
Subspecialty/fellowship training following completion of general surgery residency training program is available in colorectal surgery, minimally invasive surgery, surgical oncology (also including hepatobiliary surgery, endocrine surgery, and/or breast oncology), transplant, vascular surgery, pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, burn surgery, acute care surgery, surgical critical care, trauma, and cardiac or thoracic surgery. Detailed information about the scope of these subspecialty training programs, number of positions offered, and length of training is available at the FREIDA website.
Visit AMA website »
Visit FREIDA website »
Career Information
FREIDA physician workforce information for each specialty includes statistical information on the number of positions/programs for residency training, resident work hours, resident work environment and compensation, employment status upon completion of program and work environment for those entering practice in each specialty.
Washington University Resources
- Washington University Office of Graduate Medical Education (GME): Information about graduate medical education at Washington University
- Department of Surgery
- General Surgery Residency website
- General Surgery Elective Recommendations
- Database of WUSM alumni searchable by Specialty, Year, and/or State (password protected)
Faculty Contacts
General Surgery/Acute and Critical Care Surgery | |
| Kareem Husain, MD | 362-9342 |
| John Kirby, MD | 747-1272 |
General Surgery/Colorectal | |
| Elisa Birnbaum, MD | 454-7182 |
| Steven Hunt, MD | 454-8331 |
| Sean Glasgow, MD | 454-7177 |
| Matthew Mutch, MD | 454-7177 |
| Paul Wise, MD | 362-8028 |
General Surgery/Hepatobiliary Pancreatic | |
| Ryan Fields, MD | 362-8028 |
General Surgery / Minimally Invasive (MIS) | |
| L. Michael Brunt, MD | 454-7234 |
| Michael Awad, MD, PhD | 362-7122 |
General Surgery/Surgical Oncology and Endocrinology | |
| Rebecca Aft, MD | 747-0063 |
General Surgery/Transplant Surgery | |
| William Chapman, MD | 362-7792 |
| Majella Doyle, MD | 362-2880 |
| Jason Wellen, MD, MBA | 747-1393 |
| Surendra Shenoy, MD | 362-4338 |
General Surgery/Vascular | |
| Jeffrey Jim, MD, MPHS, FACS | 362-7145 |
| Luis Sanchez, MD | 362-7408 |
Cardiothoracic Surgery | |
| Traves Crabtree, MD | 362-8089 |
| Ralph Damiano, MD | 362-7327 |
| Pirooz Eghtesady, MD | 454-6165 |
| Bryan Meyers, MD | 362-8598 |
| Daniel Kreisel, MD | 362-6021 |
| Alexander (Sasha) Krupnick, MD | 362-9181 |
| Jennifer Lawton, MD | 362-2821 |
| Alec Patterson, MD | 362-6025 |
Pediatric Surgery | |
| Kathryn Bernabe, MD | 454-6066 |
| Brad Warner, MD | 454-6022 |