BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of endovascular surgery (EVS) upon a standard vascular surgical service. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all vascular procedures of the last 11 years, the annual number of arterial procedures, the fellows surgical volume as well as the percentage of patients referred to radiology between 1999 (implantation of EVS) and 2003, and the surgical volume of surgeons able to perform both operation and those who perform only standard surgery (SS). RESULTS: An initial decrease in the number of arterial procedures was observed, but recovered after EVS implantation. The percentage of EVS increased from 3.6% in 1999 to 25% in 2003 (p<0.05). There was no decrease in the number of fellows performing SS, yet an increase in their annual number of EVS was observed (2.6 in 1999 and 20 in 2003). All procedures were referred to radiology before 1999 versus none in 2003. Surgeons that perform both operations had an increase in their surgical volume compared to surgeons that perform only SS (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Without implantation of EVS a decrease of vascular procedures can occur. On the other hand, EVS can lead to a recovery of surgical volume, including an increase in the SS. There was no decrease in the fellows‘ volume of SS, but a improvement in EVS training. Referral of patients to other services can be diminished with EVS implantation. Surgeons that perform both operations have a progressive increase in their volume when compared to those who perform only SS.
Vascular surgical procedures; Surgical procedures; Internship and Residency; Vascular diseases
