Vascular Surgery

Vascular surgery emerged as an independent medical discipline and involves medical therapy, minimally-invasive catheter procedures and surgical reconstruction of the arteries, veins and the lymphatic capillaries. Major surgeries of the major blood vessels except the coronary arteries and other special blood vessels in the western world are increasingly being replaced with vascular surgeries. The major treatments done are angiography, stenting and non-operative varicose vein treatment sclerotherapy, endovenous laser treatment. 

Like all the major surgeries, vascular surgery carries some risks. Smoking, obesity, hypertension, chronic lung or kidney disease or other comorbid conditions can increase the likelihood of complications. Other risks of vascular surgery include:

• Bleeding
• Failed or blocked grafts
• Heart attack or stroke
• Leg swelling in case leg vein is used
• People over 65 years of age are at more risk of developing complications
• Impotence
• the more damaged the circulatory system is before surgery, the higher susceptibility to mental decline after vascular surgery

The recovery time depends on the site of surgery and the extent of disease. Usually it takes a few weeks for the patient to resume normal routine life.

Some of the symptoms of vascular disease

Pale or bluish skin.

Lack of leg hair or toenail growth.

Sores on toes, feet, or legs that heal slowly or not at all.

Decreased skin temperature, or thin, brittle, shiny skin on the legs and feet.

Weak pulses in the legs and the feet.

Gangrene.

Impotence.

The risks of vascular surgery increases if there are existing conditions like hypertension or diabetes or advanced age. Bad lifestyle habits like sedentary lifestyle, smoking and obesity also pose grave danger for the outcome of the vascular surgery. 

Vascular surgeons perform a number of complex surgeries. These encompass surgery of the aorta, carotid arteries and lower extremities including the iliac, femoral and tibial arteries. Vascular surgeries also include surgery of veins for conditions such as May-Thurner syndrome and varicose veins.

Vascular surgeries encompass surgery of the aorta, carotid arteries and lower extremities including the iliac, femoral and tibial arteries. Vascular surgeries also include surgery of veins for conditions such as May-Thurner syndrome and varicose veins. The main diseases for which vascular surgery is performed are:

• Acute limb ischemia
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
• Aortic dissection
• Aortoiliac occlusive disease
• Atherosclerosis
• Buerger’s disease
• Carotid stenosis
• Chronic kidney disease
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Connective tissue disease
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Endoleak
• Fibromuscular dysplasia
• Giant-cell arteritis
• Lymphedema
• Median arcuate ligament syndrome
• Mesenteric ischemia
• Peripheral arterial occlusive disease
• Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome
• Portal hypertension
• Pseudoaneurysm
• Pulmonary embolism
• Renovascular hypertension
• Stroke and transient ischemic attack
• Subclavian steal syndrome
• Thoracic aortic aneurysm
• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Vascular access steal syndrome
• Vascular access complications

Vascular surgery and endovascular surgery are both modalities to treat vascular disease. Endovascular describes a minimally invasive approach commonly done through needle puncture and a sheath. Traditional vascular surgery is more invasive and involves incisions, which is more surgical in nature