VASCULAR AND LIMB
SALVAGE SURGERY
At UHealth, our vascular experts, led by Dr. Jorge Rey, are dedicated to improving the quality of life for all patients. We perform advanced and complex limb salvage procedures to treat peripheral artery disease and critical limb ischemia.
These conditions restrict blood flow to the limbs — usually the legs and feet — putting patients at risk for wounds that won't heal, infections and, ultimately, amputation of the limb if the blood flow remains restricted. Our goal is to keep our patients on their own two feet, enjoying independent mobility and quality of life.
Why Choose UHealth?
The right diagnosis, right from the start. Our doctors are also researchers discovering new ways to improve diagnosis and treatment. That means you can get some of today's most promising treatment advancements that are not available anywhere else. You benefit from the latest developments that are fast-tracked from the lab to the bedside.
Advanced, hard-to-find procedures. Our doctors are committed to caring for every patient. That's why they offer the latest treatments, including limb salvage, and endovascular stenting and grafting.
All the care you need. Our vascular surgeons perform a wide range of procedures so you can have the same physician for any vascular care you need as your condition changes. Whether you need a stent replaced or a vein grafted, you can always turn to the doctor you trust.
Experienced doctors, reliable results. UHealth vascular surgeons perform hundreds of stent placements, angiograms and more every year. You can rely on their experience to help you avoid complications and have a positive outcome.
Our Experts
JORGE
REY, M.D.
Associate Professor of Surgery
Chief, Division of Vascular Surgery
ARASH BORNAK,
M.D., FACS
Associate Professor of Surgery
Program Director Vascular Surgery Fellowship & Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency
STEFAN C.
KENEL-PIERRE, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Surgery
NAIXIN KANG,
M.D.
Assistant Professor of Surgery
TONY SHAO,
M.D.
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Treatments
LIMB SALVAGE PROCEDURE
You may qualify for a limb salvage procedure if you have severe peripheral artery disease or critical limb ischemia. Your limb salvage procedure may involve a combination of techniques to restore blood flow to your limb. Typically, it involves a minimally invasive procedure called angioplasty. Angioplasty uses specialized tools, including a tiny balloon (during balloon angioplasty) and a stent (mesh tube) to open up narrowed blood vessels and keep them open. Limb salvage procedures use the latest tools to access even the smallest blood vessels.
PERIPHERAL ARTERY BYPASS
In addition to or instead of angioplasty, you may also need a peripheral artery bypass. This surgery attaches a vein taken from another area of your body or a plastic tube (called a graft) both above and below the area of blockage in the artery, providing a new path for blood to flow around the blockage.
ENDARTERECTOMY
Another technique commonly used for limb salvage procedures is endarterectomy. This is a minimally invasive procedure, similar to angioplasty, that allows your surgeon to use real-time image guidance to place a specialized catheter into the blocked area. They can then use tiny razors to scrap away the buildup inside the artery to restore blood flow.
With restored blood flow, you should have improved wound healing. However, you may also need additional wound care therapies such as hyperbaric oxygen treatment or additional debridement (removal of infected tissue).