General Surgery

Advanced Techniques for Routine and Complex Surgical Procedures

Loyola Medicine’s highly experienced general surgeons work as part of a clinically integrated care team to provide state-of-the-art surgical treatment.

Our general surgery program includes board-certified surgeons who specialize in colon and rectal surgery, endocrine surgery, pediatric surgery, interventional endoscopy, minimally invasive surgery, surgical oncology, GI/bariatric surgery, transplant surgery, plastic surgery and trauma/critical care surgery.

Loyola’s general surgery team is comprehensive and compassionate in the treatment of patients who need surgery for conditions of the thyroid, esophagus, stomach, small bowel, colon, liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts.

Your doctor will use advanced imaging to diagnose your condition and develop a precise, individualized treatment plan. Our team is experienced in performing a range of routine and complex surgical procedures for conditions that include:

Loyola's expert general surgeons are recognized for clinical excellence, innovative therapeutic methods and skilled use of the latest technology. Our experienced nursing team provides care in a compassionate environment where you can feel comfortable asking any questions about your condition or treatment.

Why Choose Loyola for General Surgery?

Loyola’s experienced general surgeons are part of a clinically integrated team that includes anesthesiologists, nurses, rehabilitation specialists and physical and occupational therapists.

Our surgeons engage in research to test the effectiveness of the latest surgical approaches. Because of the research activity at Loyola, our patients have access to the newest and most advanced treatments.

As part of an academic medical center, Loyola’s expert clinicians perform and teach the latest surgical techniques and medical treatments in numerous locations across the Chicago area. In addition, our nurses have earned Magnet status, which means they have been recognized for delivering the highest level of care.

General Surgeries Performed at Loyola

Loyola’s general surgery team has received specialized training to diagnose complex conditions and provide the most advanced treatment options. Your doctor will develop an individualized treatment plan for your condition. Our surgeons perform a wide range of complex and routine surgeries, including:

• Appendectomy — This procedure removes an inflamed or ruptured appendix. In some cases of appendicitis prior to rupture, laparoscopic surgery may be recommended.
• Biopsy — Your general surgeon is skilled in collecting tissue samples to determine if cells are benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
• Cholecystectomy — For patients experiencing gallstones or an infection, the gallbladder may be removed.
• Colectomy — For the treatment of some conditions and diseases of the colon, your surgeon may recommend partial colectomy (removal of part of the colon), total colectomy (removal of the entire colon) or proctocolectomy (removal of the colon and rectum).
• Dialysis access — For patients with kidney failure, general surgeons can provide access to your bloodstream for the purposes of dialysis treatments.
• Esophagogastric fundoplasty — For patients who have not benefitted from medical treatment for chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), this surgical treatment may relieve symptoms.
• Exploratory surgery — For patients experiencing unexplained abdominal symptoms that have not been diagnosed with imaging, exploratory surgery may be used to examine the abdominal organs and take biopsies if needed. This procedure may aid in the diagnosis of cancer, gallstones, inflammation and abscesses.
• Gastric bypass surgery — For patients who are obese and have not benefitted from diet and exercise, gastric bypass surgery may be recommended to reach a healthy weight and improve overall health and quality of life.
• Gastrointestinal surgery — General surgeons are skilled in performing surgeries in the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder and pancreas. They are also experienced in surgical treatment of the liver and bile ducts.
• Hernia repair — Your general surgeon is experienced in the surgical repair of inguinal, incisional, umbilical and hiatal hernias. Learn about hernia surgery.
• Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) — After the removal of the rectum and colon due to severe conditions such as cancer or chronic ulcerative colitis, an IPAA (also called a J-pouch) will allow you to excrete stool without an external waste collection bag. The end of the small intestine is used to create an internal pouch, which is then connected to the anal canal.
• Liver resection — For patients with liver tumors, your surgeon will remove the tumor and some surrounding tissue.
• Melanoma removal — For patients with skin cancer, a general surgeon will remove the tumor and some of the normal tissue around it.
• Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) — For patients with testicular cancer, the testicle containing the cancer may be removed, as well as the affected lymph nodes. 
• Thyroidectomy — A thyroidectomy procedure may be considered for patients with thyroid cancer, hyperthyroidism (Graves' disease), large goiters, thyroid nodules and thyroid cysts. This procedure can involve the removal of the entire thyroid or just one side of the gland. A total thyroidectomy is preferred for patients with larger tumors and more aggressive cancers; after this surgery, patients require daily treatment with thyroid hormone.
• Whipple procedure — The Whipple procedure is the most common procedure used to remove pancreatic cancer and is one of the most extensive operations in surgery. Also called a pancreatoduodenectomy, the surgery involves the removal of parts of four organs and reconstruction of the digestive tract. It may also be used to treat some benign pancreatic lesions, along with cancers in the bile duct and part of the small intestine. 

Many of our treatments can be performed as part of a minimally invasive procedure conducted laparoscopically or as part of an endoscopic intervention. Your surgeon will talk with you about whether a minimally invasive procedure is possible and appropriate for your condition.

Exceptional Programs for Surgical Procedures

Loyola’s general surgery program offers expert surgical treatment in outstanding, conveniently located facilities. We have multidisciplinary facilities at the Loyola University Medical Center campus, in addition to outpatient services at other locations.

We offer the following specialized services to provide you with the most comprehensive care:

• Breast surgery — Loyola’s breast surgeons are skilled in performing breast surgery, breast reduction, breast lift and implant revision surgeries to change the size or shape of the breasts. For women who have had a mastectomy or lumpectomy, Loyola’s breast surgeons provide reconstructive surgical techniques to rebuild the breast after surgery. This surgery can take place at the same time as cancer-removing surgery or at a later time. 
• Cancer surgery (surgical oncology) — Our fellowship-trained cancer surgeons specialize exclusively in the diagnosis, biopsy and surgical removal of many types of cancer. Loyola’s cancer surgeons work closely with doctors in medical and hematology oncology and radiation therapy to create an integrated care team and provide you with the best possible cancer care. 
• Colon and rectal surgery — Loyola’s experienced colon and rectal surgeons treat a variety of problems of the colon, rectum and anus; this can include benign conditions, such as hemorrhoids, as well as cancer. 
• Endocrine surgery — Our skilled endocrine surgeons provide advanced treatment for thyroid nodules, hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer, hyperparathyroidism, familial endocrine disease, adrenal disorders and neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas. 
• Interventional endoscopy — Loyola’s specialists provide advanced surgical treatment of the esophagus, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, liver, gallbladder and pancreas. Most gastrointestinal surgeries can be performed through minimally invasive approaches, avoiding the need for a more invasive open procedure. 
• Minimally invasive surgery — Minimally invasive surgical procedures include endoscopy, laparoscopy and robotic-assisted surgery. These procedures can be performed with tiny incisions or no incisions, benefitting the patient with less loss of blood, less scarring and a quicker recovery time. 
• Pediatric surgery — Pediatric surgeons work in conjunction with Loyola’s other pediatric subspecialists to provide surgical treatment for newborns, children and adolescents. These surgeons have additional training and expertise in the surgical care for the problems of children and treat a range of pediatric problems—both congenital (present at birth) and acquired. 
• Transplant surgery — Transplant surgery may be the best medical option for patients with organ failure or other severe conditions of the kidney, liver, heart and lungs. For these patients, Loyola provides expertise in kidney transplant, liver transplant, lung transplant and heart transplant.  
• Weight loss (bariatric) surgery — Loyola’s Center for Metabolic Surgery & Bariatric Care at Melrose Park offers medical and surgical options for weight loss treatment. The comprehensive program offers several surgical options, including adjustable gastric banding, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. 
• Wound and burn treatment — Loyola’s specialists are adept at performing skin grafts following wound and burn injuries. Loyola’s Burn Center, renowned throughout the Midwest, is one of the busiest and largest in Illinois, provides advanced treatments for scars and wounds.