What is Vascular Surgery?
Vascular surgeons treat arteries and veins throughout the entire body, excluding the brain (treated by neurosurgeons) and the heart (treated by cardiac surgeons). Common conditions treated by vascular surgeons include aortic rupture, dissection, and aneurysms, carotid artery stenosis, peripheral arterial disease, deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and creation of dialysis access. Vascular surgeons also treat less common conditions, such as thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).
Vascular disease can be treated both through traditional open surgeries and through minimally invasive endovascular procedures. The technology that facilitates endovascular repairs is constantly evolving. Vascular surgery is at the forefront of technological innovation, and vascular surgeons are continually developing new techniques and refining their surgical repertoire. An example of this at the U of R is our early adoption of trans-carotid artery revascularization (TCAR), a new minimally invasive intervention for carotid stenosis, led by our Chief of Vascular Surgery, Dr. Stoner.
Vascular surgeons treat a wide variety of patients, from the relatively healthy, to the chronically ill, to critically ill or trauma patients. Because much of vascular disease is chronic, vascular surgeons often are able to get to know patients over a long period of time. Vascular surgeons initially may manage risk factors such as smoking and encourage preventive healthcare such as exercise. They also lead the diagnostic workup and independently interpret all their own imaging. By the time many vascular patients reach the OR, their surgeon is not only the person who will do their operation, but also a trusted partner in treating their disease.
Vascular surgeons treat arteries and veins throughout the entire body, excluding the brain (treated by neurosurgeons) and the heart (treated by cardiac surgeons). Common conditions treated by vascular surgeons include aortic rupture, dissection, and aneurysms, carotid artery stenosis, peripheral arterial disease, deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and creation of dialysis access. Vascular surgeons also treat less common conditions, such as thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).
Vascular disease can be treated both through traditional open surgeries and through minimally invasive endovascular procedures. The technology that facilitates endovascular repairs is constantly evolving. Vascular surgery is at the forefront of technological innovation, and vascular surgeons are continually developing new techniques and refining their surgical repertoire. An example of this at the U of R is our early adoption of trans-carotid artery revascularization (TCAR), a new minimally invasive intervention for carotid stenosis, led by our Chief of Vascular Surgery, Dr. Stoner.
Vascular surgeons treat a wide variety of patients, from the relatively healthy, to the chronically ill, to critically ill or trauma patients. Because much of vascular disease is chronic, vascular surgeons often are able to get to know patients over a long period of time. Vascular surgeons initially may manage risk factors such as smoking and encourage preventive healthcare such as exercise. They also lead the diagnostic workup and independently interpret all their own imaging. By the time many vascular patients reach the OR, their surgeon is not only the person who will do their operation, but also a trusted partner in treating their disease.