Vascular Surgery Expert Witnesses
Deep insight into the treatment of the blood vessels
Vascular surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on diagnosing, managing, and treating conditions affecting the body's blood vessels, including arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels. Vascular surgeons perform various procedures, such as angioplasty, stenting, bypass surgery, and thrombectomy, to treat conditions ranging from varicose veins to arterial blockages.
Traditional or “open” vascular surgery uses incisions to reach the blood vessels. The surgeon may use sutures or grafts to repair or replace damaged vessels or bypass surgery to redirect blood flow around blocked or narrowed arteries. Endovascular surgery, in contrast, is a minimally invasive approach that uses a needle to puncture the blood vessel and small, flexible catheter tubes to reach the damaged area.
In the United States, vascular surgeons must complete medical school, followed by a five-year residency in general surgery. They must then complete a two-year fellowship in vascular surgery. Board Certification in vascular surgery is administered by the American Board of Surgery (ABS) or the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery (AOBS).
Vascular surgical procedures include:
- Angioplasty and Stenting: using a balloon to widen a narrowed or blocked artery and placing a small mesh tube (stent) to keep the artery open.
- Aortic Aneurysm Repair: repairing or replacing a weakened or bulging area of the aorta.
- Bypass Surgery: creating a new pathway for blood to flow around a blocked or narrowed artery using a graft (a small tube or vessel).
- Carotid Endarterectomy: removing plaque buildup from the carotid arteries in the neck to reduce the risk of stroke.
- Thrombectomy: removing a blood clot from a blood vessel to restore blood flow.
- Varicose Vein Treatment: several procedures, such as endovenous laser therapy, sclerotherapy, or phlebectomy, to close or remove varicose veins.
- Dialysis Access Surgery: creating a vein or artery access point for patients who require hemodialysis for kidney failure.
The role of a vascular surgeon as an expert witness
Like any other surgical specialty, malpractice in vascular surgery can have significant costs for the patient. Surgical errors can damage nerves, puncture organs, and lead to further complications. In medical malpractice cases involving vascular surgery, a Board-Certified vascular surgeon can explain the applicable standards of care and offer an opinion on whether they were met or breached.
Vascular surgeons can also be valuable expert witnesses in malpractice cases involving the misdiagnosis of a blood clot or other vascular disease. A surgeon can opine whether earlier detection could have led to a better patient outcome with surgical intervention.
In personal injury cases involving damage to the veins or arteries, such as aortic dissection, a vascular surgeon can assess the extent of the injury and offer a medical opinion on causation. Vascular surgeons can also explain the cost of surgery to treat traumatic injuries, the potential complications, and the patient’s long-term prognosis.
Contact Rieback Medical-Legal Consultants today
Since 1986, Rieback Medical-Legal Consultants has been working with America’s leading attorneys on surgical errors and other medical malpractice cases, as well as injury and disability matters. Our network includes Board-Certified vascular surgeons who are prepared to offer compelling, objective trial testimony. Schedule your free case summary review today.