Vascular Surgery

What Is Vascular Surgery?

Vascular surgery is a specialised medical field focused on the diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases affecting the body’s vascular system, which includes the arteries, veins and lymphatic circulation responsible for transporting blood throughout the body. These conditions can affect blood flow throughout the body and may lead to serious complications if left untreated.

When blood vessels become narrowed, blocked, weakened or damaged, normal blood circulation can be disrupted. This may lead to symptoms such as pain, swelling, poor circulation, or even life-threatening complications such as stroke or limb-threatening ischaemia.

Vascular surgeons are specially trained to diagnose and treat these conditions using a range of treatment approaches, including lifestyle management, minimally invasive endovascular procedures and traditional surgical techniques. The goal of vascular surgery is to restore healthy blood circulation, relieve symptoms and prevent complications caused by reduced or abnormal blood flow.

When Should You See a Vascular Surgeon?

Early evaluation by a vascular specialist is important when symptoms suggest problems with blood circulation.

You should consider seeking medical advice if you experience:

• Persistent pain or cramping in the legs, especially during physical activity

• Swelling in the legs or ankles, along with changes in skin colour, such as turning pale, blue, or red

• Visible varicose veins, which cause discomfort, aching, or a heavy feeling

• Chronic wounds or ulcers, particularly in the legs or feet, that do not heal within a reasonable time

• Numbness, coldness or weakness in the hands or feet, even in warm environments

• Persistent abdominal pain or pulsating mass

• Erectile dysfunction could be an early sign of vascular disease

These symptoms may indicate underlying vascular conditions that require medical evaluation and treatment.

Why Choose Prince Court’s Vascular Surgeons

Prince Court Medical Centre is renowned for its commitment to safety, quality, and excellence in healthcare. We adhere to stringent safety protocols and follow best clinical practices to minimise the risk of complications and ensure patient wellbeing throughout the treatment journey. Our reputation for delivering high-quality care has made us a trusted choice for vascular treatments.

Expertise and Specialisation

At Prince Court Medical Centre, our vascular surgeons have undergone rigorous training and possess extensive knowledge in the field of vascular surgery. With their expertise, they are equipped to diagnose and treat a wide range of vascular conditions, including peripheral artery disease, venous disorders, aneurysms, and other circulatory disorders.

Whether you require surgical intervention or minimally invasive procedures, our vascular surgeons offer a comprehensive range of treatment options tailored to your specific needs.

Our surgeons are highly skilled and experienced, performing up to 600 surgeries annually, including numerous complex procedures for vascular conditions. To ensure the highest standard of care, we have invested in cutting-edge diagnostic tools, state-of-the-art operating rooms, and advanced intensive care units. These advanced facilities enable our vascular surgeons to perform precise and effective interventions, helping to achieve optimal outcomes for our patients.

Multidisciplinary Approach

At Prince Court Medical Centre, our approach to vascular surgery is multidisciplinary, recognising that vascular conditions often require comprehensive and coordinated care.

Our vascular surgeons collaborate closely with other healthcare professionals such as interventional radiologists, cardiologists, and wound care specialists. This collaboration ensures that patients receive holistic care that addresses not only the vascular condition but also their overall health and wellbeing. Through this collaborative approach, personalised treatment plans are developed to suit each patient’s unique medical needs, maximising the effectiveness of the care provided.

Vascular Conditions Treated by Vascular Surgeons

Vascular surgeons diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases affecting the arteries, veins, and lymphatic system. These conditions can disrupt blood circulation and may lead to serious complications if not treated appropriately.

Arterial Diseases

• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) – narrowing of the arteries that reduces blood flow to the limbs, particularly the legs

• Carotid Artery Disease – narrowing of the arteries supplying blood to the brain, increasing stroke risk

• Renal Artery Stenosis – narrowing of the arteries supplying blood to the kidneys, which can lead to high blood pressure and kidney dysfunction

• Mesenteric Ischaemia – reduced blood flow to the intestines, which may cause abdominal pain and digestive complications

• Aneurysms – abnormal bulging or weakening of artery walls that may rupture if untreated

Venous Disorders

• Varicose Veins – enlarged, twisted veins caused by weakened valves in the veins

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) – formation of blood clots in deep veins, typically in the legs

• Chronic Venous Insufficiency – impaired blood return from the legs to the heart due to damaged vein valves

Other Vascular Conditions

• Vascular Trauma – injuries to blood vessels caused by accidents, penetrating injuries, or fractures

• Vascular Access for Dialysis – creation and management of access points for patients requiring haemodialysis

• Lymphedema – swelling caused by blockage or damage to the lymphatic system

Early diagnosis and treatment of these conditions can significantly reduce the risk of complications and improve long-term vascular health.

Vascular Procedures and Treatments

Our vascular surgeons perform a wide range of surgical and minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat diseases affecting the arteries, veins, and vascular access for dialysis. These procedures are designed to restore blood flow, prevent complications, and improve circulation in patients with vascular disorders.

Dialysis Access Procedures

Vascular access procedures are commonly performed for patients with kidney failure who require long-term haemodialysis treatment.

• Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF) Creation – surgical creation of a connection between an artery and a vein, typically in the forearm, to provide long-term access for haemodialysis treatments in patients with kidney failure

• Transposition of AVF – relocation of an existing arteriovenous fistula to a different location, usually performed when the original site is no longer suitable for haemodialysis access

• Superficialization of AVF – a procedure that involves repositioning a deep arteriovenous fistula closer to the surface of the skin to facilitate easier access for dialysis treatments

• Loop Graft Creation – placement of a synthetic tube-shaped graft to create a connection between an artery and vein, commonly used as an alternative access for dialysis when a patient's blood vessels are not suitable for fistula creation

• Fistuloplasty – a minimally invasive procedure that involves the use of a balloon catheter to widen and improve blood flow within a narrowed or stenotic arteriovenous fistula

Procedures for Blood Clots and Vascular Blockages

These procedures are performed to remove blood clots or restore blood circulation when blood vessels become blocked.

• Thrombectomy – surgical removal of blood clots (thrombus) from a blood vessel to restore proper blood flow and prevent further complications

• Femoral/Brachial Embolectomy – surgical removal of a blood clot (embolus) that is blocking a major artery in the thigh (femoral) or arm (brachial), aiming to restore blood flow and prevent tissue damage

• Lower Limb Bypass Surgery – creation of a new pathway for blood flow using a bypass graft, typically a synthetic graft or vein, to bypass a blocked or narrowed artery in the leg and improve circulation

• Open Aorto-bifemoral Bypass Surgery – a major surgical procedure that involves creating a bypass using synthetic grafts to redirect blood flow around blocked or narrowed segments of the aorta and restore blood supply to the lower extremities

Aneurysm and Arterial Repair Procedures

These procedures are performed to repair weakened or damaged arteries and prevent life-threatening complications such as rupture.

• Excision of Pseudoaneurysm – surgical removal of a pseudoaneurysm, which is an abnormal bulging of an artery caused by a tear in the vessel wall, to prevent rupture and other complications

• Open Aneurysectomy and Inlay Graft – surgical removal of an aneurysm followed by placement of a synthetic graft inside the remaining healthy artery to reinforce the weakened area

• Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) – a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery for treating abdominal aortic aneurysms, involving the placement of a stent graft inside the aneurysm to strengthen the vessel wall and prevent rupture

• Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) and Lower Limb Angioplasty – a combination of procedures performed to treat thoracic aortic aneurysms using endovascular techniques, along with angioplasty to widen narrowed arteries in the lower limbs and improve blood flow

Venous Procedures

These procedures focus on treating diseases affecting the veins and improving venous circulation.

• Varicose Vein Surgery – surgical treatment of varicose veins using open procedures such as vein ligation and stripping, as well as minimally invasive techniques including endovenous ablation or glue therapy

Vascular Reconstruction and Repair

These procedures repair or reconstruct damaged blood vessels to restore circulation.