Vascular surgery

Blood is carried around your body through a network of vessels (your veins, arteries and capillaries).

The network of veins is collectively referred to as the venous system. These carry blood towards the heart. The network of arteries makes up the arterial system, which carry blood away from your heart.

If veins or arteries become damaged and blood is no longer able to move around your body as easily, it can cause certain symptoms and health problems. While some of these problems may be relatively mild, others can be more serious.

Vascular surgery is involved in assessing and treating problems in the blood vessels. A doctor specialising in this area is a Consultant Vascular Surgeon. 

Here at The Alexandra Hospital in Manchester, we have both an Intensive Care Unit (ITU) and a High Dependency Unit (HDU), allowing us to safely carry out a wide range of vascular treatments, including those that are more complex.

Venous conditions include:

• Varicose veins – non-return valves in the blood vessels ensure that blood can only flow one way. If these valves stop working properly, blood may flow back through them, causing pressure to build up. Over time, this can cause the vessels nearest the surface of the skin to get bigger and twist, showing up on the skin as blue or dark purple lines. Varicose veins may cause aching and swelling in the legs or ankles.
• Spider / thread veins – when smaller veins in the leg are affected, they show up as thin, spider-like markings on the legs.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – this occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein inside your body, reducing or blocking the flow of blood.

Arterial conditions include:

• Peripheral artery disease – this is a narrowing in the blood vessels that supply the limbs. If left untreated, you may develop leg ulcers, numbness in the feet and toes, or pain in the leg muscles when walking (claudication).
• Aortic aneurysm – this is a bulging in the aorta, the main artery in the body. This can occur in the chest (thoracic aortic aneurysm) or abdomen (abdominal aortic aneurysm).
• Thoracic outlet syndrome – the thoracic outlet is the space between your collarbone (clavicle) and first rib. If the blood vessels or nerves located in this space are compressed, you may experience numbness or tingling in the shoulder or fingers.

Our vascular specialists at The Alexandra Hospital can investigate and diagnose problems in any of these vessels. Where referral to another specialist (like a neurosurgeon or cardiac surgeon, is required), this can be easily and quickly arranged for you.

Many vascular problems can be treated with minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery. Usually carried out under local anaesthetic, this approach often provides less pain and a quicker recovery time.

Varicose veins and spider veins can be treated with foam sclerotherapy, clarivein, radiofrequency ablation/VNUS closure and Endovenous Laser Ablation Therapy (EVLT). While these differ in approach, they all involve sealing up the vein to lower the pressure in it, so that the vein can revert to its normal size one more.

A DVT may be treated with medication, compression stockings or surgery.

An aortic aneurysm may not require treatment if it only small, although it will be monitored at regular intervals. If surgery is needed, this may be done with open surgery or endovascular surgery (a type of keyhole surgery).

Thoracic outlet syndrome may be treated well with medication or physical therapy. If symptoms continue, thoracic outlet decompression surgery may be carried out.

Treatment for any vascular condition is always tailored to the individual. Your Consultant will ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment for your particular condition. With the facilities, technology and surgical expertise available at The Alexandra Hospital, many treatments can be carried out with minimally invasive surgery.

When you first meet with your Consultant, they will talk with you about your general health and ask you to describe your symptoms.

They will usually carry out a physical examination of the affected area to help narrow down possible causes of the physical symptoms you have.

An ultrasound is a helpful diagnostic tool for many vascular conditions and can often help determine the best treatment option for you. For example, a duplex ultrasound can be carried out for a varicose vein to help plan treatment.

This may be all that is needed to confirm a diagnosis, in which case your Consultant will discuss treatment options with you.

If your vascular problem is more extensive or complex, additional investigations may be needed, including CT or MRI scanning and blood tests. These will all be arranged for you at the earliest opportunity to avoid delay.

Whatever is causing your symptoms, your Consultant will provide comprehensive investigation to ensure you receive the best treatment possible. For your peace of mind, assessment, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up will always be led and directed by your Consultant.

As the largest private hospital in the country outside London, we believe you will find no better, safer place to come for private vascular surgery.

With superb facilities, state-of-the-art equipment and on-site critical care cover staffed 24/7, it is a safe place to be treated.

When you visit The Alexandra Hospital for a vascular concern, you will benefit from:

• Fast access to a leading expert – Our highly experienced vascular Consultants can provide you with the help, support and treatment you need sooner.
• Convenient appointments – It is very easy to arrange an appointment with an experienced Vascular Surgeon at a time that is convenient to you. This appointment is your opportunity to talk openly with a specialist who understands the unique challenges and difficulties you may be experiencing from your vascular condition.
• A multidisciplinary team (MDT) – With over 600 Consultants working at the hospital, supported by a large number of other healthcare professionals, you will always see the most appropriate person for your needs. If referral to another specialty is needed, this is very easily done.
• Location - With excellent road access and a 440-space car park, it is very easy to travel to us from Manchester and the surrounding areas.

For peace of mind and known expert care, why not ?

Call us on +44 1413 005 009. or book an appointment with one of our Consultants online.