The difference between endovascular surgery and vascular surgery is that endovascular surgery is less invasive than vascular surgery, and therefore can reduce a patient’s overall recovery time.
While the mortality rate among patients who undergo endovascular surgery is typically lower (depending upon the condition being treated), the overall durability of endovascular treatment tends not to be as long as open surgical treatment methods. Many patients may not be candidates for the endovascular techniques, but most appreciate the opportunity to hear all their options so they can fully understand and evaluate which approach will provide them with the best outcome.
As a result, patients who come to the UCSD Section of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery benefit by being evaluated, diagnosed and treated by a single specialist who can offer both the traditional approach and the endovascular approach. The endovascular treatment is carried out by the same vascular surgeon who evaluates the patient, significantly streamlining the entire process for the patient. This comprehensive, multimodality practice leads to better continuity of care from the vascular surgery team
Endovascular surgery is used to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms, as well as to perform carotid angioplasty/stenting (as an alternative to carotid endarterectomy) to decrease the risk of stroke. As the technology develops further, it is likely that more and more procedures will be able to be performed through this exciting minimally invasive procedure.