Overview of the Surgical Subspecialties: Vascular Surgery

Vascular surgery is an exciting and rewarding subspeciality of surgical discipline which has seen tremendous growth and is well positioned as a viable career path for the foreseeable future. In the most foundational explanation, Vascular surgery is the evaluation and management of disease involving the arterial and venous structures which are non-cardiac and extracranial. Unlike other medical specialties that treat vascular disorders, Vascular surgeons are able to offer patients the optimal management whether it be non-operative therapy, minimally invasive endovascular procedures or traditional open surgical correction. No other specialty is trained and board certified in all three domains. To accommodate the entry into endovascular procedures and to position the specialty for the future, Vascular surgery has broaden the training paradigm to encompass both a post surgery fellowship and a direct match into residency from medical school. Both paradigms produce surgeons of the highest calibre and allow prospective surgeons to select the path optimal for themselves.