Our Approach to the Treatment of General Surgery

We at Maryland Surgeons believe that the relationship between patient and surgeon is crucially important to providing top-notch and personalized care.

We work closely with our patients to ensure that the best possible treatment is provided in a caring and compassionate setting.  We aim to ensure our patients clearly understand their disease and how each treatment option will affect them.

Maryland Surgeons is a highly skilled group of board-certified general surgeons and use state-of-the-art equipment and advanced techniques when they perform surgery.  Depending upon the patient and the disease, we can perform operations using laparoscopic or robotic surgery in many cases.  These surgical techniques offer precision and improved cosmetic and functional outcomes.

We specialize in the following procedures:

• Appendectomy
  • Appendicitis is the most common reason to have an appendectomy.  The appendix can become blocked and result in infection and painful inflammation.  In these cases the appendix needs to be removed to prevent further disease.  The procedure is often done laparoscopically but in severe cases an open procedure may be needed.
    
• Gastrectomy
  • Removal of part or all of the stomach is referred to as a gastrectomy.  Common reasons for patients to undergo this procedure include gastric cancer, gastric ulcers, and gastric perforations.
    
• Cholecystectomy (Gallbladder Removal)
  • The gallbladder stores bile which is produced by the liver.  It is common for the gallbladder to become painfully blocked by stones and require surgical removal, which is typically done laparoscopically or robotically.
    
• Splenectomy
  • The spleen is an organ that helps with filtering of the blood but it sometimes needs to be removed.  Some reasons for this include injury to the spleen and certain blood disorders.  The spleen can often be removed laparoscopically.
• Foregut Procedures
  • The foregut refers to the first part of the digestive tract that runs from your mouth to the first part of the small intestine which is just past the stomach.  Surgery can be done to treat swallowing problems, esophageal cancers or hiatal hernias.  Many of the procedures can be done with minimally invasive surgery.
• Removal or drainage of lumps and bumps
  • Common lumps are lipomas, which may be removed if desired for cosmetic reasons or if they are causing pain or other problems.  Abscesses or boils are common general surgical problems that may be treated in the office or in the operating room,

Please contact us at (443) 574-8500 to set up an appointment or to get more information about how our surgeons can help you.

Frequently Asked Questions – General Surgery

Q. Where will my surgery be performed?
A. While some small procedures are office-based, such as some breast biopsies, incision and drainage of abscess, and some hemorrhoids, most procedures require not just local anesthetics, but actual anesthesia by an anesthesiologist and are performed in the hospital’s operating room.  Most of our surgeons practice at both Saint Agnes Hospital, and also at Howard County General Hospital.

Q. How long will it be before my surgery is scheduled?
A. If your surgery is deemed an emergency, then it will be done immediately. Elective surgery is usually scheduled in as little as a few days and as long as a month, depending on the level of urgency and on how much preparation is required (eg, preop visits with your primary care provider and/or cardiologist, insurance approval, etc) to get you ready for your procedure.

Q. What do I do if I have problems at night or on weekends?
A. Just call our main office number of 443-574-8500 and follow the prompts. One of our physicians is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Refill for prescription pain medicine should be requested during normal office hours.

Q. Can I drive myself home after my surgery?
A. No. Patients receiving anesthesia or those taking prescription pain medicine should not operate a motor vehicle.