What is Vascular Surgery?
Vascular surgery is a branch of surgery that deals with diagnosing and treating diseases of the vascular system, including arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels. This branch of surgery is extremely important because the vascular system plays a key role in maintaining blood and lymph circulation throughout the body, and diseases of the vascular system can be serious and threaten patient health, making timely treatment very important.
What Symptoms Should Prompt a Visit to a Vascular Surgeon?
A visit to a vascular surgeon may be necessary if you have symptoms or problems related to blood vessels. Here are some symptoms that might prompt you to schedule a visit with a vascular surgeon:
– Leg pain when walking or leg pain at rest.
– Swelling of the legs or sores that heal poorly.
– Changes in the color or temperature of the skin on the legs.
– Absence of pulse or weak pulse in the legs.
– Chest pain or shortness of breath that could indicate blood vessel diseases of the heart.
– Aneurysms or bulges in the arteries.
– Circulation issues such as cold hands or feet.
– Diabetes-related complications such as neuropathy or angiopathy.
What Conditions Can You Consult a Vascular Surgeon For?
Problems with the vascular system can vary and be serious, leading to severe health complications such as heart attack or stroke. In cases of peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities or acute limb ischemia, for example, the oxygen supply to limb tissues is reduced due to poor blood flow. Aortic fistulas and tumors in the carotids or blood vessels, as well as aortic dissection or rupture and other vascular injuries, are not uncommon.
However, the most common conditions for which patients seek the help of vascular surgeons include atherosclerosis, arterial aneurysms, diabetic foot, varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, and chronic venous disease.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a blood vessel disease characterized by the accumulation of fatty deposits, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances along the inner walls of arteries. The process begins with damage to the inner layer of the arteries due to various factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, or inflammatory processes. When damage occurs, fats, cholesterol, and other materials can accumulate at the site, forming plaques. As plaques grow, arteries become narrowed and less elastic, which makes it difficult for blood to flow normally.
Atherosclerosis can occur anywhere in the body but is particularly dangerous when it affects the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart, leading to heart attacks, or the carotid arteries that supply blood to the brain, leading to strokes.
Arterial Aneurysm
This vascular disease involves the expansion or bulging of a section of the arterial wall, usually due to weakening of the arterial wall, which can be caused by various factors, including atherosclerosis, genetic predispositions, infections, injuries, or other vascular diseases.
Aneurysms can occur in different parts of the body but are most commonly located in the aorta, the body’s largest artery. Aortic aneurysms can be abdominal, in the abdominal aorta, or thoracic, in the chest aorta. They can be dangerous because they become susceptible to bursting, which can lead to serious complications such as internal bleeding or organ failure. Aneurysms also affect the iliac arteries, blood vessels that supply blood to the back and stomach muscles, lower extremities, pelvis, reproductive organs, and other pelvic organs, as well as peripheral arteries.
Diabetic Foot
Diabetic foot is a complication of diabetes that arises from prolonged high blood sugar levels. This condition can cause nerve damage or neuropathy, circulation disorders, and reduced wound healing ability. Diabetic foot typically involves a range of problems such as neuropathic deformities, ulcers, infections, and, in the most severe case, gangrene, which requires immediate medical intervention, including amputation of the affected part.
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins usually most visible on the skin’s surface. This condition typically occurs when so-called valves in the veins do not function properly, leading to improper blood flow. When these valves fail, blood can accumulate in the veins, causing them to enlarge and twist. Varicose veins can be just a cosmetic issue but can also cause discomfort, pain, or swelling. In some cases, varicose veins can be a sign of more serious vein problems, such as deep vein thrombosis or chronic venous disease.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
This is a condition in which a blood clot or thrombus forms in the deep veins, usually in the lower extremities such as the thighs or calves. These clots can block the normal flow of blood through the veins, leading to serious complications. Major risk factors for the development of deep vein thrombosis include prolonged sitting or lying down, blood vessel
Chronic Venous Disease
This condition occurs when the valves in the veins do not function properly, leading to blood circulation disorders. Chronic venous disease causes symptoms such as swelling, pain, fatigue, and a feeling of heaviness in the legs, as well as muscle cramps and skin changes. It usually affects the lower limbs but can also affect other parts of the body. Risk factors for developing this disease include hereditary factors, pregnancy, prolonged standing or sitting, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and aging.
What Does a Vascular Surgeon’s Examination Look Like?
An examination by a vascular surgeon typically begins with a discussion of the patient’s medical history, including symptoms, previous health problems, and treatments. This is usually followed by a physical examination, which may include checking the pulse at various points, examining varicose veins, listening to blood flow sounds through a stethoscope, and other relevant assessment methods.
Depending on the symptoms and the results of the physical examination, the vascular surgeon may recommend additional diagnostic tests such as ultrasound, angiography, or CT/MRI scanning for a more detailed assessment of the vascular condition. Based on all this information, the vascular surgeon will make a diagnosis and propose an appropriate treatment plan, whether it involves surgery, an endovascular procedure, or medication therapy.
What Techniques Do Vascular Surgeons Use?
In treating vascular system diseases, vascular surgeons use a wide range of surgical and minimally invasive techniques, depending on the nature of the disease and the patient’s needs. Some of the most common diseases treated in vascular surgery are atherosclerosis (artery narrowing), aneurysm (artery widening), thrombosis (blood clotting in veins), and venous insufficiency (inadequate vein function).
Common surgical techniques used in vascular surgery include:
– Reconstructive procedures involve repairing narrowed arteries or replacing expanded or damaged parts of arteries.
– Endovascular procedures are minimally invasive procedures performed through small incisions and typically use catheters and balloons to dilate narrowed arteries or deploy stents to maintain open blood flow.
– Thrombectomy involves removing a thrombus from affected veins or arteries to restore normal blood flow.
– Ablation is a technique in which damaged or expanded veins or arteries are destroyed using heat or cold.
– Lymphatic surgery involves operations on lymphatic vessels to improve lymph flow and reduce swelling.
What Happens During Vascular Surgery?
Vascular surgery procedures may vary depending on the specific condition and the patient’s needs, but there are several general steps typically followed during these procedures.
Before the surgery, the patient will undergo a preoperative evaluation to ensure that their health condition is appropriate for the operation. This may include laboratory tests, an electrocardiogram (EKG), chest X-rays, and other diagnostic procedures as needed. The patient will also receive instructions on how to prepare for the surgery, including guidance on dietary changes and cessation of certain medications.
What Happens After Vascular Surgery?
Recovery depends on the complexity of the surgery and the patient’s needs, but the patient is regularly monitored after the procedure to assess recovery and any potential complications. Rehabilitation may be necessary to return to normal activities.
What Are the Benefits of Vascular Surgery?
After vascular surgery, depending on the condition treated, the goal is to improve blood flow, reduce the risk of serious complications such as stroke or heart attack, alleviate symptoms of vascular disease, and improve quality of life.
What Are the Risks of Vascular Surgery?
Although there are inherent risks associated with any surgical procedure, vascular surgeons do everything in their power to minimize these risks and ensure patient safety.
Recovery and Prognosis
Recovery after vascular surgery varies depending on the type and complexity of the procedure. Your vascular surgeon will provide you with detailed guidance and support during the recovery process. In most cases, most patients experience symptom improvement and an increase in quality of life after surgical treatment.
The Puls Dedinje Vascular Surgery Team
At Puls Dedinje, the rapid diagnosis and treatment department of the Puls Cardiology Center, a team of experts trained in some of the leading vascular hospitals in the country and worldwide, with extensive experience in this field, is working.
How Can You Schedule Consultations with a Vascular Surgeon?
If you feel unwell, experience any of the symptoms mentioned earlier, or your health condition suddenly worsens, you can easily schedule a consultation with a vascular surgeon at Puls Dedinje and quickly receive comprehensive diagnostics as well as a treatment plan.
