1. Vascular and Endovascular Surgery

2. What is it ? Arterial Disease outside the heart
Atherosclerosis, arteritis, trauma.
Aneurysms (aorta, peripheral)
Carotid, Lower limb, Visceral.
Venous Disease
Varicose Veins, leg ulcers, venous insufficiency.

3. Open and Endovascular
Procedures

4. Why Consider Vascular Surgery ?
Combines surgical and medical skills
New techniques – many different ways to treat disease (surgery, stents, angioplasty, endovenous ablations) all of which you will be trained to do.
Varied – not limited to one anatomical area.
Rewarding – you can control and repair bleeding
you return circulation.
Very team based, good support
Strong tradition of Research. Good for this
Expanding demand – diabetes, ageing, bad lifestyles

5. Career Structure for the Vascular Specialist ?
Independent specialty recognition 2012
New curriculum / syllabus
Run through training ST3 – ST8 (ST1 from 2019)
Open / Endovascular / Ultrasound / Angiology

6. A typical week for a Consultant Vascular Surgeon session = half day
Operating – 1 whole day for main list, plus
½ day endovascular or day list
2 general clinics – 1 session each.
Specialist clinics (complex aortic, diabetic foot) – monthly.
Ward Rounds (1-2 sessions)
Teaching and Research (1-2 sessions)
Administration (1-2 sessions)
Emergency on Call (1 in 6 is now the minimum standard)

7. What attributes do I need to be a Vascular Surgeon ?
Enjoy doing things / a practical nature
Get on with people (patients and your team)
Interest in the challenge of Vascular Disease
Leadership / being a trainer
– be organised, communicate, be able to motivate.

8. Pros and Cons Interesting Procedures Evolving techniques Varied
Challenging
Teamwork
Good research potential
Private practice potential
Emergencies out of hours
Dealing with the consequences of failed procedures.

9. Vascular Surgery