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14 Types of Surgeons Recognized by The American College of Surgeons

Explore the different surgical specialties recognized by the ACS in the U.S.

Updated 20 February 2025Published 20 May 2024

Late Updated: January 23, 2025.

Surgeons are medical professionals who specialize in treating conditions that require surgical procedures and interventions. While medical surgery is an extremely rewarding and lucrative career, it also requires a significant amount of time and dedication to enter the field as a licensed practitioner.

To become a licensed surgeon, you will need to train for a number of years, both in medical school and in residency. However, different surgical specialties require more or less time in residency, meaning the kind of surgeon you want to become will significantly impact your educational timeline. As such, it is a good idea to make sure you understand the different kinds of surgeons and what they do before deciding on your specialization.

This blog will highlight the 14 different kinds of surgical specialties that exist in the United States specifically, as outlined by the American College of Surgeons.

What Are the 14 Different Kinds of Surgeons?

1. General Surgeon

General surgeons are trained to cover a broad range of surgical procedures, treating almost every area of the body, including the lungs, abdomen, skin, digestive tracts and endocrine systems. This is an extremely versatile route for aspiring surgeons, as general surgeons train for the entire surgical process, from diagnosis and preoperative care to operative and postoperative management.

Responsibilities: General surgeons deliver the full range of surgical care and are responsible for treating many different conditions. Notably, they care for patients who cannot access specialized surgical intervention, due to either time or location constraints, such as patients suffering from critical illnesses or recently suffered injuries.

2. Colon and Rectal Surgeon

These surgeons specialize in any issue related to the colon, rectum, anal canal and perianal area. They are responsible for various procedures, ranging from removing cancerous tissues from the colon to providing treatment for inflammatory bowel diseases to performing colonoscopies.

Responsibilities: Colon and rectal surgeons consult and treat patients suffering from issues affecting the aforementioned areas of the body, as well as the abdomen. Colon cancer is a major condition that may require the attention of such a surgeon, as well as more standard preventative procedures such as colonoscopies. Robotic surgery and procedures are common due to the requirements of the care being provided.

3. Neurosurgeon

Commonly referred to as “brain surgeons,” neurosurgeons are trained to treat any condition related to the body’s nervous system and focus specifically on conditions affecting the brain or spinal cored. The role is highly technical, so choosing to specialize in this career path requires a longer residency placement (7+ years) than other specialties.

Responsibilities: A neurosurgeon is required to be incredibly skilled and specialized due to the complexity of the brain and spinal cord regions. Such surgeons may provide interventions to address issues such as tumours, head injuries, bleeding in the brain, seizures, spinal cord compression and many more. There are also several neurosurgery subspecialties that require additional training, knowledge and skill.

4. Critical Care Surgeon

Critical care surgeons specialize in providing emergency medical care. They are similar to general surgeons in that they care for an array of patients and conditions, but work in a more fast-paced environment and have to manage high-pressure situations in order to stabilize their patients.

Responsibilities: Critical care surgeons provide a wide array of procedures to address emergency conditions, such as falls, burns, accidents, heart attacks and more. They also coordinate with other care providers to ensure that appropriate healthcare services are provided once the emergency scenario has been managed.

5. Obstetrician and Gynecologist

Gynecologists and obstetricians are doctors who specialize in female reproductive health. While obstetrics refers to physicians who work with pregnant patients and help to deliver babies, gynecologists focus on issues that are related to the entire female reproductive system, including the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes and breasts. These two specialties often overlap, with some gynecologists also performing obstetrics for instance.

Responsibilities: OBGYNS are often called on to deliver surgical care related to pregnancy, however there are also many other conditions that require their attention as well, such as fertility issues, infections, diseases, menopause-related problems and more. Due to the wide array of conditions they must understand and be able to address, they work closely with primary care physicians and other surgical specialists.

6. Ophthalmologist

Specialists within this branch of surgical medicine treat disorders related to the eye. Following residency training, lasting from four to five years, surgeons in this area are trained to perform operations that treat a range of visual issues, such as cataracts, glaucoma and other vision impairments. 

Responsibilities: These specialists diagnose a variety of vision care related issues, as well as provide vision services and surgical treatments. Besides cataracts and glaucoma, other conditions they are required to address and treat include cancer, retinal detachment, infections, myopia and more.

7. Orthopedic Surgeon

Orthopedics is a medical specialty that focuses on injuries and diseases related to your body’s musculoskeletal system. This system of the body includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves. Orthopedic surgeons therefore assist patients with surgical issues related to these areas.

Responsibilities: Orthopedic surgeons treat issues related to trauma, tumours, physical deformities and more. They also work closely with other healthcare providers to ensure that patients receive additional care and support, such as physical therapy and mobility aids.

8. Otolaryngologist

These surgeons operate on any diseases related to the head and neck, including the ear, nose and throat regions. Common conditions that are addressed include hearing loss, balance disorders, sinus and nasal cavity disorders, smell and taste disorders, and migraine headaches.

Responsibilities: These specialists perform a variety of duties related to the ear, nose and throat (ENT) regions, including removing tumours, reconstructing airways, correcting cosmetic issues and more. They work closely with other ENT physicians who treat speech and sense issues.

9. Pediatric Surgeon

Pediatrics treat any disease or condition in children, from newborns to adolescents. There are several subspecialties of pediatric surgery, including neonatal or prenatal problems, physical trauma and pediatric oncology. Following five years of general surgery residency, pediatric surgeons usually go on to complete an additional two years of specialty training within this area.

Responsibilities: Surgeons focused on delivering interventions for children work very closely with families, primary care teams and other specialists in order to ensure that the child is receiving the appropriate care. Conditions they help treat include tumours, injuries, birth defects and more. 

10. Plastic Surgeon

Plastic surgery focuses on repairing or reconstructing various aspects of the body using techniques that involve the transplantation of tissues and implants. Plastic surgeons also provide care for patients who have already undergone other types of surgeries, such as mastectomies, or who want to enhance aspects of their own physiology to improve physical and mental well-being.

Responsibilities: Plastic surgeons treat a variety of conditions, including disfigurement due to injuries, complex wounds, burns, growth defects and more. Additionally, they can provide treatment for cosmetic issues, such as nasal reconstruction and breast augmentation.

11. Surgical Oncologist

Surgical oncologists are surgeons with specialty training in procedures related to cancerous growths, with a focus on diagnosing, staging and removing them. They are responsible for performing biopsies in order to diagnose the cancer, as well as preventative surgeries and chemotherapy.

Responsibilities: These specialists are experts in almost all cancers, including those that affect the lungs, kidneys, throat, skin and more. They are often consulted by other surgeons addressing cancer issues in their own area of expertise, such as the colon or uterus. 

12. Thoracic Surgeon

Thoracic surgeons operate on the heart, lungs, esophagus and major blood vessels inside the chest, as well as the structures and tissues that form and support the chest cavity. This is another highly involved surgical specialty, which demands many years of training and study.

Responsibilities: Thoracic surgeons consult and perform operations for a variety of conditions, such as lung cancer, tumours, chest trauma, heart attacks and more. Subpecialization can focus on heart surgery on children or adults specifically.

13. Urologist

Urologists perform surgery on conditions related to the adrenal gland, reproductive system and urinary system, specifically focusing on the kidneys, ureters, bladder, prostate, urethra and testes.

Responsibilities: Urologists perform a variety of interventions, from minor, non-invasive procedures to major surgeries using robotic assistance. Conditions addressed include incontinence, fertility management, cysts, prostate issues and more.

14. Vascular Surgeon

Vascular surgeons are trained in the diagnosis and management of conditions affecting circulation, including disease of the arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels. Examples include blood clots, strokes and aneurysms. They are usually called upon when non-invasive measures cannot fix an issue and surgery and has become necessary.

Responsibilities: Vascular surgeons address issues such as stroke, blood clots, aneurysms and others that specifically affect the arteries and veins. They may provide care ranging from major surgery to non-surgical means of care, such as medication or exercise recommendations.

Pursue Your Surgical Dreams at St. Matthew’s University

If one or more of the specialities listed above correspond with your goals of practicing medicine, then you’ll first need to consider an internationally accredited MD program.

At St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine, we proudly help our students achieve academic and career success, and we invite you to learn how our hands-on education, individualized support, dedicated faculty, financial support and extensive student services can all work together to help you achieve your dreams!

But don’t just take it from us; check out this testimonial from a practicing SMU alum to learn more about the St. Matthew’s difference:

And don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, or begin an application to start your journey today!

FAQs About Surgeons