How to choose a  recommended Vascular Surgeon

The following diseases may appear in the arterial system:

a. Aneurysm usually in the groin, aorta but may also appear in other blood vessels.

b. Narrowing of the carotid artery which may be symptomatic – that is, cause a transient/permanent stroke, or a-symptomatic – that did not cause a stroke.

c. Narrowing of the abdominal arteries – that carry blood to the intestines and kidneys.

d. Narrowing of blood vessels that carry blood to the legs – a disease named as obstructive disease of the peripheral arterial tree.

The venous system in the limbs consists of two subsystems – the deep venous system and the superficial venous system. These two systems are made up of segments connected by one-way valves that prevent the blood from flowing backwards.

The following diseases may appear in the venous system:

a. Thrombosis – a blood clot that fills the venous cavity. Thrombosis may appear either the deep venous system or the superficial venous system.

b. Flow insufficiency of the valves, which may also appear in the deep venous system or in the superficial venous system.

The common pathology of the lymphatic system is a disturbance in the drainage of the lymphatic – that causes fluid accumulation of fluids in the limbs, mainly in the lower ones. However, it must be remembered that not every edema in the lower limbs is lymphatic edema.

Vascular surgery as a unique specialization, appeared towards the end of the last century. It started with major operations to treat the arterial pathologies described above, and continued during the current century; especially in recent years, with the development of catheterization and endovascular capabilities for minimally invasive treatment of these pathologies.

Further information concerning vascular surgery

In recent years, catheterization procedures occupy a central part of vascular patients’ treatment. Like any other field of medicine, choosing the right physician is the key to high quality patient care. So how do you actually choose a vascular surgeon? What characterizes a recommended vascular surgeon?

What is the qualification process of a vascular surgeon?

In the past, specialization in vascular surgery required a specialist degree in general surgery or heart surgery, but as of 2010, the vascular surgery specialization process is unique.

By the of 6 years’ medical studies and the end of the internship, the graduate receives a license from the Ministry of Health to practice medicine. A doctor who chooses to specialize in vascular surgery will practice six years in the departments of general surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, and intensive care. At the end of his internship, he will be required to successfully pass the internship end exams, and by this time he will receive an expert degree in vascular surgery from the Scientific Council of the Israel Medical Association. The specialist will continue his training abroad, in courses and practise in the various fields of vascular surgery.

By the end of such training, he will work, for the most part, in a spefic field in which he specialized abroad.

Vascular Surgeon membership in professional associations in Israel and abroad

Why is membership in professional associations in Israel and around the world – so important for the patients? Membership in professional associations is a key tool for improving the quality of medical care provided to patients. The professional unions, in Israel and around the world, are responsible for establishing treatment guidelines, are a focal point for updating the basic knowledge and expanding it within the framework of discussions, further training and joint research. These unions include the following unions around the world:

1. ISEVS – International Society of Endovascular Specialists, established in 1992 and incorporates experts from various fields, dealing with catheter treatment of the blood vessels.

2. FACTCATS – Faculty Advocating Collaborative and Thoughtful Carotid Artery Treatments

A group of the best experts in the world, dealing with delineating the principles for the best treatment of the carotid arteries, principally, to prevent stroke. This group, established in 2011, by Dr. Anne Abbott, an Australian neurologist, brings together experts from the fields of vascular surgery, neurology, neuroradiology and neurosurgery dealing with the treatment of carotid arteries.

3. SVS – The Society for Vascular Surgery®

This society promotes excellence in the treatment of patients with vascular diseases.

4. ESVS – The European Society for Vascular Surgery®

The European Society is the equivalent of the American Society.

In Israel, vascular surgeons belong to the following professional associations:

1. The Israeli Association for Vascular Surgery

2. The Israeli Association of Surgeons.

So what are the considerations for choosing a recommended vascular surgeon?

Knowledge and Experience
An informed search for the right doctor, who has the most knowledge and experience, in the treating the vascular disease that the patient is suffering from, will enable optimal treatment of the patient and save him time and money. It is obvious to anyone with an understanding that the skill of a blood vessel specialist, certainly one who holds a senior position in the public medical system, is immeasurably higher compared to doctors whose field of expertise is not in the treatment of blood vessel diseases, and therefore it is only natural that the referral for the treatment of blood vessel diseases would be to a specialist in vascular surgery and not for a specialist in general surgery, without any background in the treatment of vascular diseases.

Patients’ Satisfaction
It is advisable to read patients’ recommendations of the of the doctor one intends to approach. These recommendations will teach the reader about three key components in the relationship between with the doctor: What is the doctor’s level of professionalism? Is the patient’s safety at the forefront of the doctor’s mind, and no less important than that, what is the level of the doctor’s empathy towards his patients? Does the doctor present to his patients their situation and the corresponding options?