Vascular / Endovascular Surgery
Vascular and Endovascular Diseases & Treatments
Vascular surgeons care for all the veins and arteries in your body except for the brain and portions of the heart.
Fox Valley Surgical Specialists has a team of physicians who specialize in vascular/endovascular surgery. Our surgeons are trained in the most advanced techniques for everything from aortic aneurysm repair to varicose vein treatments and surgeries.
The two main surgical procedures used by vascular surgeons are:
- Vascular Surgery (also called Open Surgery) involves open procedures with larger incisions to access and treat complex vein and artery problems.
- Endovascular surgery covers a variety of minimally invasive procedures that have small incisions and use catheters and or small needle punctures to treat blood vessels.
Your vascular surgeon also has a number of non-surgical treatments, medications and lifestyle modifications to care for the full range of vascular diseases.
Four common vascular issues that we see and treat are listed below. Additionally, you can learn about dozens of different vascular diseases that we are trained to address as well as some of the treatment options we use here on our resources page.
Common Vascular Conditions We Diagnose & Treat
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
PAD occurs when arteries in the arms and legs become narrowed or blocked due to plaque buildup. Treatment options include:
- Endovascular Procedures: Minimally invasive techniques involving threading a catheter into the artery via a tiny incision in the groin. The blockage is cleared using miniature surgical instruments or balloon angioplasty. A stent may be placed in the vessel to keep the artery open.
- Open Surgery: Reserved for complex cases where an alternative route for blood flow is required. The surgeon creates a bypass to redirect blood flow around the blockage.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
An AAA is a weakened area in the wall of the aorta, the body’s largest blood vessel. Surgical treatment options include:
- Open Surgery: Involves making a long incision in the abdomen to directly access and treat the aneurysm. The weakened area may be replaced with a stent or graft.
- Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR): A minimally invasive approach where a catheter is inserted through small incisions in the groin. Using X-ray guidance and small instruments, a stent or graft is placed to reinforce the weakened area.
Carotid Stenosis
Carotid Stenosis, or Carotid Artery Disease, is a condition where the two major blood vessels in the neck that supply blood to the brain become narrowed or blocked.
This narrowing is primarily caused by atherosclerosis, a build-up of plaque (fatty deposits) inside the arteries. As the plaque accumulates, it reduces blood flow to the brain, increasing the risk of stroke and other serious complications.
TCAR is one of the advanced treatments for Carotid Stenosis offered by our surgeons.
Varicose Veins
Our Vein Clinic oversees the treatment of Varicose Veins and similar conditions. Varicose veins develop when damaged valves in the veins cause blood to pool, leading to swollen and enlarged veins. Surgical treatments include:
- Minimally Invasive treatments such as Laser Ablation, Radio Frequency Ablation as well as Varithena and Venaseal
- Vein-Stripping: Involves making incisions in the leg and removing the entire vein.
- Phlebectomy: Uses several small incisions along the vein to remove it in sections.
While surgeries remain common, we are able to treat more and more varicose vein disease with less invasive treatment options. The first step is to consult with one of our vascular surgeons to determine the best approach for your individual case.
Contact Our Vein Clinic!
See our Vein Clinic for more information and getting treatment options see for your:
Your Experienced Vascular Team
Robert Ballard, MD
