Vascular surgeons perform surgery on the blood vessels to repair any damage they have sustained. Vascular surgeons can also be called cardiovascular surgeons. They usually focus their work on the heart, lungs, and brain; these parts of the body need to get oxygenated blood through a system of arteries and veins. This surgeon will require a wide range of diagnostic tools to diagnose the patient. Dennis E Resetarits MD, an experienced vascular surgeon, can treat various medical conditions, some of which are life-threatening. This article covers some of the most common treatments offered by vascular surgeons. Read on to learn more.
- Venaseal Closure
Venaseal Closure is a procedure that is performed to treat trauma patients. It is usually carried out in the operating room, and it requires general anesthesia. The method starts by locating the entry and exit wounds through ultrasound scanning. Then a catheter is brought in, and the surgeon will use the tip of this catheter to release air bubbles into these two wound locations. The catheter has a particular medication that will seal the punctured blood vessel. The catheter is then removed, and an x-ray is performed to verify that the procedure was successful.
- Sclerotherapy
Patients who suffer from varicose veins can be treated with sclerotherapy. It is also known as the “injection method.” This treatment option uses an ultrasound machine to target and destroys the targeted vein before injecting a medication into it. The drug used in this procedure contains a saline solution and polidocanol chemical. The latter inhibits the vein’s inner lining and causes it to collapse. A compression garment needs to be worn by the patient for at least two weeks after this treatment option has been carried out. It is recommended that patients avoid standing or sitting in one position for too long during this time frame.
- Phlebectomy
Phlebectomy is a surgical procedure that can treat patients with varicosities. It is also called “vein removal.” This surgery option cuts the targeted vein and removes it from the body. A compression garment needs to be worn for a few weeks following this treatment to prevent blood from accumulating at the incision point. It can also help to treat the wound if it becomes infected.
- Radiofrequency Ablation
This type of surgery is usually used to treat tumors near the spine. This method uses heat to get rid of cancer without damaging the surrounding tissue. It starts by inserting a thin tube into a vein or artery near the tumor’s location. Then an electrode wire is brought through this thin tube, and it will be placed next to the blood vessel near the tumor. The outer portion of this wire will then be heated to about 120 degrees. This heat energy will cause the blood vessel to become blocked and shrink.
To summarize, vascular surgeons are specialists in treating conditions that affect veins and other blood vessels. When you visit one, you should expect treatments such as radiofrequency ablation, venaseal, phlebectomy, and sclerotherapy. If you need any of these treatments, make sure you work with a certified vascular surgeon for the best results.