Gefäßchirurgie

Gefäßchirurgie is the medical specialty dedicated to the surgical treatment of diseases affecting the vascular system. This includes arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels throughout the body, excluding those within the heart and brain, which are typically managed by cardiac and neurosurgeons respectively. Gefäßchirurgie deals with a wide range of conditions, from acute emergencies like arterial ruptures to chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis, aneurysms, and varicose veins.

The primary goal of gefäßchirurgie is to restore normal blood flow, prevent life-threatening complications like bleeding or embolism, and improve the patient's quality of life by alleviating symptoms such as pain, swelling, or tissue damage. Common procedures performed by vascular surgeons include bypass surgery to reroute blood flow around blockages, angioplasty and stenting to open narrowed vessels, and endarterectomy to remove plaque buildup. They also treat vascular malformations and injuries.

Diagnostic tools play a crucial role in gefäßchirurgie. Non-invasive imaging techniques such as duplex ultrasound, computed tomography angiography (CTA), and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) are used to visualize the vascular system and identify abnormalities. These diagnostics help surgeons plan the most appropriate treatment strategy. Gefäßchirurgie often involves close collaboration with other medical disciplines, including cardiology, neurology, and internal medicine, to provide comprehensive patient care.