Specialty - Vascular Surgery

Overview

Vascular surgery is a specialty of surgery that involves the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the vessels (arteries and veins) of the vascular system.

Vascular disorders include blockages and narrowing of the blood vessels, abnormal swellings of the vessels (aneurysm) or vessel malfunctions. The disease processes involved in vascular disorders often involve other body systems and your treatment may therefore require the combined efforts of other medical specialists such as radiologists and general physicians.

Common Conditions

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: This is the dilatation or ballooning of a section of the aorta which is the main artery coming out of the heart. An aneurysm usually occurs because of an underlying weakness in the wall of the aorta at that point. Very often you will not have any symptoms from the aneurysm and it may only be discovered through a chest x-ray or CT scan. If the aneurysm begins to get larger or leak, you may experience chest or back pain. If there is a risk of the aneurysm bursting, surgery will be required.

Carotid Artery Disease: You have two carotid arteries, one on either side of your neck, that supply blood to your brain. Carotid artery disease occurs if these arteries become narrowed due to atherosclerosis (a build up of fat and cholesterol deposits on the inner walls of the vessels). If a clot forms in one of the carotid arteries and reduces or stops the flow of blood to part of your brain, it may cause a stroke.

Peripheral Arterial Disease: Peripheral arterial disease refers to the narrowing of arteries outside the heart and brain, usually as the result of atherosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries" (a build up of fatty deposits on the inner wall of arteries). When the arteries become narrowed, the flow of blood to the target organs or tissues is reduced. The arteries commonly affected are those carrying blood to the kidneys, stomach, arms and legs. Peripheral arterial disease often appears first in your legs, with the most common symptom being dull, cramping leg pain that occurs when exercising but stops when you stand still. This is known as "intermittent claudication". Treatment for peripheral arterial disease may involve medication and/or surgery.

Vascular Disorders: Vascular (blood vessel) disorders treated by vascular surgery include varicose veins. This occurs when veins in the legs and thighs become enlarged and twisted. This is often caused by the failure of the one-way valve system in the veins, in which case it can be treated surgically by removing the segments of veins containing the malfunctioning valves as well as those veins which are significantly dilated.

Consultants

Mr Philip Thwaite

Mr Mark Morgan

 

Referral / First Specialist Assessment

A threshold for FSA referral acceptance has been set to assist with MOH waiting time compliance.

• The National Access Criteria (Bay of Plenty Variation) for First Assessment (ACA) are available to view:
  Vascular Surgery ACA tool
• Bay of Plenty Waiting times for First Specialist Assessment are available to view:
  Vascular Surgery FSA Waiting Times

Treatment List

A threshold for treatment list acceptance has been set to assist with MOH waiting time compliance. Please refer to the Vascular waiting times link for further information.

• For further information of the CPAC criteria:
  Vascular Surgery CPAC Tool
• Bay of Plenty Waiting times for Treatment are available to view:
  Vascular Surgery Treatment Waiting Times

Contact Details

Postal: Referral Receipt Centre, BOPDHB, Private Bag 12024, Tauranga 3142

Fax: 07 578 1247

Phone: 0800 333 477