What a general surgeon treats
General surgery covers a broad range of conditions of the abdomen, the bowel, the anal region, the abdominal wall and the skin and soft tissues. In everyday practice that means the anorectal conditions that affect a large share of adults at some point, skin lumps and cysts, hernias, gallstones and appendicitis. Many of these are treated with short, day-case procedures.
Dr. Elbasatiny is a laparoscopic, bariatric, oncologic and general surgeon, so the same surgeon who treats your piles can also assess a gallbladder or a hernia, and recognise when a symptom needs a different pathway altogether. Gallstones are usually treated with laparoscopic gallbladder removal, groin hernias with keyhole inguinal hernia repair, and appendicitis with laparoscopic appendectomy.
This page focuses on the conditions most people would rather not discuss: anorectal problems and skin lumps. Each has its own page with the full detail on treatment, risks and recovery.
Piles (hemorrhoids): conservative care first
Hemorrhoids are swollen blood-vessel cushions in and around the anus. They cause bright red bleeding, itching, a lump or a feeling of incomplete emptying, and they are linked with constipation, straining, pregnancy and age. Most episodes settle with fibre, fluids and sitz baths — sitting in a few centimetres of warm water — plus a short course of pharmacy cream.
When piles keep bleeding or prolapsing, clinic treatments such as rubber band ligation are quick and done without a general anaesthetic. Surgery — haemorrhoidectomy, stapled haemorrhoidopexy or haemorrhoidal artery ligation — is reserved for large or persistent piles. Read the full guide to hemorrhoids treatment in Cairo.
Anal fissure: relieving the spasm so it can heal
An anal fissure is a small tear at the anal opening that causes sharp pain during a bowel movement and a burning ache afterwards. The pain triggers sphincter spasm, which reduces blood flow and keeps the tear from healing. Soft stools, warm baths and a prescription ointment heal a large share of fissures, often within weeks.
If the fissure becomes chronic, a Botox injection or a lateral internal sphincterotomy relaxes the muscle. Sphincterotomy is very effective but carries a small risk of minor incontinence, which is always discussed openly. See anal fissure treatment for the step-by-step plan.
Have a question about your case?
Send your question and the clinic team will contact you to arrange a consultation, usually within the same working day.
- An honest assessment of your case
- A clear plan before any decision
- A detailed quote after examination
Anal fistula: healing the tract, protecting control
An anal fistula is a small tunnel between the anal canal and the skin, usually left behind after an abscess. It causes recurring swelling and discharge and rarely heals without surgery. The right operation depends on how the tract crosses the sphincter muscles, so careful assessment — sometimes with an MRI scan — comes first.
Low, simple fistulas are usually treated with a fistulotomy. Fistulas that cross more muscle may need a seton, a LIFT procedure or an advancement flap, which protect continence at the cost of a higher chance of recurrence. The options are explained in anal fistula surgery.
Pilonidal sinus: treating the cause of repeated abscesses
A pilonidal sinus is a small tract at the top of the buttock cleft, often containing hair, that can become infected and form a painful abscess. An acute abscess is drained for quick relief; a sinus that keeps flaring is removed. Options range from open healing, which has the lowest recurrence but the longest dressings, to flap techniques and minimally invasive endoscopic or laser treatments.
Recurrence is possible after any technique, so aftercare matters as much as the operation. Learn more about pilonidal sinus surgery.
Lipomas and skin cysts: simple, local-anaesthetic removal
Lipomas are soft fatty lumps, and epidermoid (sebaceous) cysts are round lumps filled with keratin. Both are almost always harmless and many can be left alone. Removal makes sense when a lump grows, hurts, becomes infected or bothers you. It is a short procedure under local anaesthetic, with neat closure and laboratory analysis of the tissue when appropriate.
Any lump that is hard, fixed, painful or growing quickly should be examined. Details are on lipoma and cyst removal.
Day-case general surgery: home the same day
Most of the procedures on this page are day-case surgery: you arrive, have the procedure and go home the same day, sometimes after one night for larger operations such as a haemorrhoidectomy. Short, targeted anaesthesia — local, spinal or a brief general anaesthetic — keeps recovery straightforward.
Before any operation you will know what the anaesthetic will be, how long the procedure usually takes, what pain relief you will go home with and when you can expect to return to work. Written aftercare instructions cover wound care, stool softeners, warm baths and the signs that mean you should call the clinic.
When to see a general surgeon: red flags
Many anorectal symptoms are caused by piles or a fissure, but rectal bleeding should never simply be assumed to be piles. Seek an assessment if bleeding continues, if you notice a change in your bowel habit, dark or black stools, unexplained weight loss, tummy pain, a lump in the abdomen or tiredness that could mean anaemia. Depending on your age, symptoms and family history, a colonoscopy is often advised to rule out polyps or bowel cancer before any pile treatment.
Seek urgent care for heavy, non-stop bleeding or large clots, a high temperature with a painful swelling near the anus or at the top of the buttocks, or severe pain. An abscess usually needs draining the same day.
For skin lumps, see a surgeon if a lump is hard, fixed, getting bigger, painful, red or hot.
Privacy and comfort at the clinic
Embarrassment is the main reason people put off seeing a surgeon about anorectal symptoms, often for years. The consultation is private and unhurried. Dr. Elbasatiny explains every step of an examination before it happens, a chaperone is available on request, and you are never examined without your agreement.
You will leave with a clear explanation of what the problem is, what can be done without surgery, and what a procedure would involve if it is needed — so you can decide in your own time. Aspects Clinica is at 164 North 90th (Tesseen) Street in the Fifth Settlement, New Cairo, with appointments that suit patients from across Cairo as well as visitors from abroad.
How a consultation with a general surgeon in New Cairo works
Your first visit begins with a conversation about your symptoms, bowel habits, medical history and medicines. A focused examination follows; for anorectal problems this may include a gentle examination of the anal canal, and occasionally a short scope. Any tests or scans needed — blood tests, an ultrasound for a lump, an MRI for a fistula or a colonoscopy referral — are explained before they are arranged.
You then receive a treatment plan with the non-surgical options first, the procedure options if relevant, the honest risks of each and a personalised quote. There is no pressure to book surgery on the day.
Frequently asked questions
What does a general surgeon treat?
A general surgeon treats conditions of the abdomen, bowel, anal region, abdominal wall and skin. Common examples are piles, anal fissures and fistulas, pilonidal sinus, lipomas and cysts, hernias, gallstones and appendicitis. Many are treated with short, day-case procedures, and some need no surgery at all.
Do I need surgery for piles?
Usually not. Most piles settle with fibre, fluids, warm sitz baths and a short course of cream. Rubber band ligation helps piles that keep bleeding or prolapsing. Surgery is reserved for large or persistent hemorrhoids that do not respond to these treatments.
Is rectal bleeding always caused by hemorrhoids?
No. Piles and fissures are common causes, but bleeding can also come from polyps, inflammation or bowel cancer. If bleeding continues, or comes with a change in bowel habit, dark stools, weight loss or tiredness, see a doctor — a colonoscopy is often recommended.
Will the examination be embarrassing or painful?
The examination is brief, private and explained before it starts. A chaperone can be present if you wish, and you can stop at any time. If an area is too painful to examine, for example with a fissure or abscess, the assessment can be completed under a short anaesthetic.
Can anorectal surgery affect bowel control?
Some procedures that involve the sphincter muscles, such as sphincterotomy or fistula surgery, carry a small risk of minor changes in control. Severe incontinence is rare. Your surgeon chooses techniques that protect the muscles and explains your individual risk before you decide.
Will I need to stay in hospital?
Most general surgery procedures for piles, fissures, fistulas, pilonidal sinus and skin lumps are day-case: you go home the same day. Larger operations, such as an excisional haemorrhoidectomy, occasionally need one night. You will know the plan before your procedure.
How soon can I return to work after minor general surgery?
It depends on the procedure. Lipoma or cyst removal often means returning the same or next day; fissure procedures about a few days to a week; fistula and pilonidal surgery around one to two weeks; and haemorrhoidectomy around two weeks or a little longer.
References
This information is general education and does not replace a medical examination. Treatment decisions are made after assessing your case.