Each decade brings with it new innovations in a wide variety of industries, including healthcare. This ever-evolving landscape is an exciting topic for many, as new healthcare innovations present the opportunity for relatives and friends to recover from once-incurable conditions.

Endovascular surgery is one of many innovative procedural techniques to treat such diagnoses. In a nutshell, this surgery encompasses the minimally invasive insertion of a catheter into the arteries or veins and can often be performed in outpatient facilities. Types of clinical problems that can be successfully managed with endovascular surgery include most cardiovascular disorders, carotid artery disease, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, cancer of the liver, uterine fibroids, strokes and many other vascular-related disorders.

What Are the Perks of Endovascular Surgery?

When most people picture surgery, they imagine open surgery, which usually requires a patient to be put under general anesthesia since open surgery can be quite invasive. On the other hand, most endovascular surgery is much less invasive and can be done with sedation. It often has fewer risks, is better tolerated by patients, and is the preferred way to treat a number of diseases. Given that endovascular surgery is done through a small incision, the post-procedural recovery time is much quicker than open surgery with most patients going home the same day of their procedure. Patients typically will not require physical therapy or significant recovery time and potentially lost work as they would need following open surgery. Endovascular surgery is much less painful and does not usually require post-procedural narcotics which are often needed following open surgery.

Because of the minimally invasive nature of endovascular surgery, usually requiring no stitches whatsoever, patients are much less likely to have wound complications or scarring after endovascular surgery. The quick recovery time, less pain, and low risk of complications give patients much greater peace of mind and a more rapid return to their normal lifestyle.

What Are the Risks of Endovascular Surgery?

All procedures carry some risk, and healthcare providers are obligated to counsel patients of any risks and alternatives associated with the planned medical procedure. While uncommon and unique to the particular procedure, endovascular surgery can cause complications such as infection, blocked blood flow, blood leakage around the vessel, stent fracturing, or restenosis. Always be sure to ask your physician about the potential risks of any planned procedure and whether the procedural benefits outweigh the risks.

Is There Any Follow-Up Care?

Although some basic outpatient procedures do not require any follow-up, your healthcare provider may schedule a virtual or in-person follow-up in the days or weeks following your surgery. Even with an uncomplicated recovery, your doctor should want to ensure you are recovering normally and have benefitted from the procedure.