Montgomery Vascular Surgery - Common Procedures

Below are the most common procedures we do here at Montgomery Vascular Surgery. If there is a procedure you do not see here please Contact Us, to see if we might provide something not listed below.

The aorta, which is the major artery coming out of the heart, is like a tree trunk which gives all the branches to the other areas of the body. It runs from the chest down into the abdomen and unfortunately is the main site for the formation of aneurysms. An aneurysm is a weak spot on the artery, much like a weak spot on the inner tube of a tire, and the problem, like the tire, is a blow out. Aneurysms of the aorta are one of the most common causes of death in the United States and unfortunately they typically cause no symptoms until rupture occurs, making aneurysms the "silent killer". All aneurysm are potentially dangerous and operative intervention depends on many factors, most important being the size of the aneurysm. Operations for aneurysms may be the standard open operation done through an abdominal incision; however, since 1999 when the first successful minimally invasive repair of an aortic was done in Alabama by surgeons from Montgomery Vascular Surgery, many aneurysms are now treated using this technique.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and the most common cause of permanent disability. Most strokes are not caused by hemorrhage in the brain, but rather by a blockage in the arteries supplying the brain with blood. The most common place for this blockage to occur is in the carotid arteries in the neck.

Surgical correction of carotid artery disease is the most common surgical procedure performed by the surgeons at Montgomery Vascular Surgery. Both carotid endarterectomy , which is the standard procedure, and carotid artery stenting are performed depending on which is best for each individual patient.

Peripheral arterial disease, or PAD as it is now commonly called, is a common condition said to affect 8 to 10 million Americans. While PAD may affect any artery in the body, it is commonly understood to refer to the arteries supplying the legs. Common symptoms are pain in the legs with walking which is relieved by rest. In more advanced cases, pain at night, at rest, and gangrene may occur. Since the blockage in the artery is caused by cholesterol plaque and not blood clot, blood thinners and anticoagulant medicine, which are aimed at blood clot, are typically not helpful and surgery is the therapeutic option of choice and is reserved for symptoms severe enough to be lifestyle limiting or limb threatening. . Treatment options may vary from something as simple as stenting of the involved blood vessel, which may be done even as an outpatient, to more complex operations requiring bypass. Both options are offered by the physicians of Montgomery Vascular Surgery.

Varicose veins are dilated veins that occur within the legs. They are very common and often asymptomatic. Some people may have significant symptoms such as pain, heaviness, or early fatigue. Surgery is indicated for patients with lifestyle limiting symptoms. Multiple surgical options exist for varicose vein patients including vein stripping or more commonly the minimally invasive endovascular ablation therapy.

Spider veins are dilated veins located within the skin of the lower extremities. Rarely do they cause symptoms, but are often treated with sclerotherapy for cosmetic purposes. Sclerotherapy is an office procedure where by an irritating solution is injected into the spider veins which will cause the vein to be obliterated and therefore less visible.

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a potentially life-threatening blood clot that forms in the vein primarily in the lower extremities. The clot is capable of breaking off and traveling to the heart and lungs causing a pulmonary embolus. If large enough, this could be fatal. Standard treatment is the use of blood thinners. If the DVT is large enough, pharmaco-mechanical thrombolysis can be considered. This minimally invasive technique utilizes medicines to dissolve clots as well as mechanical techniques to break the clot up to facilitate restoration of flow quicker. We also perform inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement. This is a filter that is placed in the main vein leading to the heart. It requires only a needle puncture of a large vein in the groin to be placed and is done under local anesthesia. It will trap any clot that breaks off and could be potentially life saving.