Vascular Surgery

What is vascular surgery?

Vascular surgery is a subspecialty of general surgery in which diseases of the vascular system, or arteries and veins, are managed. It is a relatively new specialty but one whose services are in great demand throughout North America. Twenty years ago all most all vascular disorders were managed by surgery. However, today with advances in radiology, a fair number of vascular disorders are being managed by balloons and stenting thus saving the patient the high morbidity and mortality of surgery



What types of disorders are managed by a vascular surgeon?

The vascular surgeon is trained to treat both arterial and venous disorders.

What types of surgery does a vascular perform?

The following is a brief list of the procedures.

Aneurysms: Repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (repair of a enlarged blood vessel) in the abdomen, leg or elsewhere in the body



Carotid endarterectomy: Some individuals develop strokes due to blockage in the blood vessels which supply the brain. These vessels are regularly repaired by vascular surgeon.

Veins: Varicose and spider veins are also treated by vascular surgeons. Techniques of varicose vein stripping, ambulatory phlebectomy, lasers, sclerotherapy, EVLT are all used by vascular surgeons.

Stenosis: Frequently blood supply to the leg is decreased in diabetics and smokers. These vessels can either be bypassed or ballooned.

Embolectomy: Occasionally blood clots from somewhere else in the body can block the leg vessels and interrupt blood supply. The clots can be removed with specialized balloons and catheters

IV Access: Some individuals need access for nutrition and IV fluid therapy. Vascular surgeons can insert catheters in various parts of the body for IV therapy.

Dialysis Access: The major thrust of most vascular surgeons is to create shunts, AV fistulas and place catheters for dialysis.



Gangrene: Frequently amputations of the toes, foot or leg are required.

Diabetic Foot: Almost all vascular surgeons have to deal with the diabetic foot. Diabetics are very prone to foot infections and have deceased blood supply.

Endovascular: Most vascular surgeons are now trained in radiological techniques and can perform ballooning and stenting of narrowed or aneurysmal vessels anywhere in the body (Except the brain and heart).