Dr. Joseph Coatti, Vascular Institute of Chattanooga; member, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical SocietyQ: What is the difference between vascular and endovascular surgery?
A: Vascular surgery is an open surgical treatment of diseases of the carotid, aortic, mesenteric, renal or peripheral arteries. These techniques require open surgery, often under general anesthesia, to correct the problems. The new trend in care is endovascular surgery, which presents an alternative to the traditional open approach. It is innovative, less invasive and has advantages such as minimal or no incisions, shorter hospital stays, less pain and a quicker return to normal activities. Endovascular surgery is not an option for every patient, so be sure to discuss this with your physician.
– Dr. Joseph Coatti, Vascular Institute of Chattanooga; member, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society