66年來，外科出版了實用的，權威的信息，關于程序，臨床進展，和塑造一般外科的主要趨勢。每個問題的特點是原始的科學貢獻和臨床報告。同行評審的文章涵蓋腫瘤，創傷，胃腸，血管和移植手術的主題。該雜志還出版其贊助協會的會議論文:大學外科醫生協會、中央外科醫生協會和美國內分泌外科醫生協會。該期刊是該領域被引用次數最多的期刊之一，在布蘭登-希爾研究中推薦初次購買，該研究為小型醫學圖書館選擇了一些書籍和期刊。

For 66 years, Surgery has published practical, authoritative information about procedures, clinical advances, and major trends shaping general surgery. Each issue features original scientific contributions and clinical reports. Peer-reviewed articles cover topics in oncology, trauma, gastrointestinal, vascular, and transplantation surgery. The journal also publishes papers from the meetings of its sponsoring societies: the Society of University Surgeons, the Central Surgical Association, and the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons. The journal ranks among the most cited journals in the field and is recommended for initial purchase in the Brandon-Hill study, Selected List of Books and Journals for the Small Medical Library.