General Surgery is the basic specialty of all surgery, from which the various surgical specialties have derived. It covers pathologies of the digestive system, endocrine, metabolic or obesity glands, anatomical defects such as hernias, emergency medicine and trauma. It is also one of the pillars in the multidisciplinary treatment of cancer pathologies.

This medical specialty deals with the study of pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment of diseases that can be treated by surgical procedures.

general surgery

Dr. José Polónia

Academic Medical Training
Graduated in Medicine from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto in 1983
Postgraduate Degree in Management and Direction of Health Services from the Faculty of Economics of the University of Porto in 2005
Hospital Assistant and Specialist in General Surgery by the Portuguese Medical Association in 1994
Graduated Hospital Assistant and Consultant in General Surgery by the Portuguese Medical Association in 2002

Healthcare activity
Graduate Hospital Assistant in Surgery at the General Surgery Department of the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUP), Extradigestive Surgery Unit
Team Leader of the CHUP Emergency Department
Private surgical practice

Areas of particular interest
Extra-digestive Oncological Surgery – Breast, Ovarian, Sarcomas, Melanoma, Head & Neck
Abdominal wall surgery (hernias, eventrations)
Endocrine surgery (thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal)
Head and neck surgery (salivary glands)
Retroperitoneal surgery
Healthcare-associated infections
Surgical site infection

Management and coordination activities
Head of Unit 2 (Extradigestive Surgery) of CHUP’s General Surgery Service from 2009 to 2015
Head of CHUP’s Breast Pathology Unit since its creation in 2015
Head of CHUP’s Emergency Team from 2003 to 2016
Member of CHUP’s Infection Control Committee since 1996
Member of CHUP’s Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee from 1996 to 2006

Teaching Activities
Invited Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute of the University of Porto (ICBAS – UP)
Regent of the Surgery I and Surgical Specialties Curricular Unit of the Integrated Master’s Degree in Medicine at ICBAS – UP

Call now and make your surgery appointment on the number:

+351 222 011 186

Calling the national fixed network

Or be contacted




    Contact Information and Hours: Clinic

    Rua Sousa Aroso, nº 599, 4450-289 Matosinhos
    Phone: 222 011 186 (Call to the national landline network)
    Mobile: 92 811 0150 (Call to the national mobile network)
    Email: clinica@medilav.pt
    Monday through Friday
    8:30 AM–1:00 PM | 2:00 PM–6:00 PM

    Frequently Asked Questions:

    What is general surgery and what is its importance?

    General surgery is the basic specialty of all surgery, from which several other surgical areas have been derived. It plays a fundamental role in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases, and is essential for interventions that require a surgical approach and for monitoring different pathologies.

    What diseases are treated in general surgery?

    General surgery covers pathologies of the digestive system, diseases of the endocrine and metabolic glands and obesity, as well as anatomical defects such as hernias. It also includes emergency situations and trauma, and is a cross-cutting specialty in the treatment of various conditions.

    What does a general surgery consultation consist of?

    A general surgery consultation involves a clinical assessment of the patient, analysis of symptoms, diagnosis and definition of the most appropriate treatment. When necessary, it may include a referral for surgery or monitoring of conditions that require specialized surveillance.

    Is general surgery only for operations?

    No. Although it is associated with surgical procedures, general surgery also includes the study of the pathophysiological mechanisms of diseases, diagnosis and clinical follow-up. Not all cases require immediate surgery, and medical follow-up is often necessary before any intervention.

    What is the role of general surgery in the treatment of cancer?

    General surgery is one of the pillars in the multidisciplinary treatment of oncological diseases. It works together with other medical specialties to define the best therapeutic approach, which may include surgery, follow-up and integration with other treatments.

    Where to see a general surgeon in Matosinhos?

    If you are looking for a general surgery consultation in Matosinhos, Medilav offers specialized follow-up, with a rigorous diagnosis and definition of the most appropriate treatment for each situation.

    Medilav Clinic