What is Vascular Surgery?
A vascular surgeon is a highly trained specialist dedicated to the care of disorders of the circulatory system, including the arteries and veins. Arteries carry blood from the heart to the vital organs and the limbs, and veins return the blood to the heart.Vascular surgeons help patients to manage their disorders, whether through diet, exercise, smoking cessation, medication or interventional procedures and surgery. Vascular surgeons are the only doctors trained to perform both minimally-invasive endovascular procedures (like angioplasties and stents) and traditional open vascular surgery.
Endovascular Surgery allows many conditions to be treated with minimally invasive (keyhole) techniques. The benefits include tiny incisions, less pain, faster recovery, fewer complications and most procedures can be performed as a day-case.
Typical conditons treated within the discipline of Vascular Surgery include:
- Aneurysms (a bulge in an artery)
- Aortic Aneurysms
- Limb Ischaemia (peripheral artery disease)
- Carotid Artery Disease (TIAs and stroke management)
- Lymphoedema
- Venous Diseases:
- Varicose Veins
- Thrombosis (DVT)
- Phlebitis
- Venous Ulcers
- Venous Malformations
Services
The Department of Vascular Surgery in MUH provides an array of services to investigate and manage diseases of the circulatory system including:3 Public and 3 Private clinics per week
Daily dressing clinics
Lymphoedema (specialist nursing team)
Aortic Aneurysm Screening
Carotid Artery Disease Screening
Information on Procedures
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are a very common problem. As well as cosmetic issues, varicose veins can cause leg pain, swelling, bleeding and even ulceration. A vascular surgeon can fully evaluate your varicose veins and discuss the appropriate interventions. Most treatments are now endovenous (radiofrequency or laser) which allow for day case interventions with minimal scarring, bruising or 'down-time'. Cosmetic options are also available in the private clinic. |
Endovascular Aneurysm Repair
An aortic aneurysm is an enlargement or bulge of the main artery of the body. When an aneurysm enlarges, the artery wall can weaken and result in a life-threatening rupture. A vascular surgeon will assess your aneurysm and order appropriate x-rays (Ultrasound or CT Scan) to plan its repair. We strive to repair most aneurysms with an endovascular stent which is a synthetic tube inserted into the diseased artery via a small cut in the groin. Sometimes, an aneurysm will require open abdominal surgery to be fixed, and this procedure usually requires admission to the intensive care unit. Only a vascular surgeon can determine if your aneurysm is suitable for endovascular or open repair. |
Carotid Artery Surgery
The carotid arteries in the neck supply blood to the brain. If plaque builds up in these arteries, it can result in a TIA (mini-stroke) or a stroke. Even if you do not have symptoms, an ultrasound scan of your carotid artery can predict if you are at risk of developing a stroke. A vascular surgeon can then discuss your best management options - these being medication, surgery or a stent. The ultimate aim is to reduce your risk of stroke. |
Leg Endovascular Revascularisation (Angioplasty and Stent)
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) results in narrowing or blockage of the blood vessels to the legs. this causes leg cramps, pain or in severe cases tissue loss or gangrene. Untreated disease can result in amputation. Most of the time, lifestyle modification and medication will improve your symptoms. In severe cases, we try to treat the narrowings / blockages with a balloon angioplasty or a stent. This procedure takes about an hour and can be performed via a single needle in the groin under local anaesthetic. |
Leg Open Surgery Revascularisation (Bypass)
In cases of severe peripheral artery disease (PAD), a surgical bypass operation may be required to redirect blood flow around a blocked artery in the leg. This procedure requires a few days in hospital and is performed under a general anaesthetic. A vascular surgeon will help you understand the options available for your PAD. |