Vascular surgeon and phlebologist: concept, definition, necessary education specialization and features of the work performed

Phlebology is a section of vascular surgery that has been singled out in a separate area because there are a large number of venous pathologies. A doctor who is engaged in the prevention, diagnosis, therapy of pathologies of veins is called a phlebologist. A vascular surgeon is another doctor. Many non-medical people think these are two names for the same specialization. In our article, we will consider in detail what a vascular surgeon and a phlebologist treat, so that the difference between the two specialists becomes clear.

What does a phlebologist do

The following diseases are in the competence of the phlebologist:

• Trophic ulcers.
• Thrombophlebitis.
• Thrombosis.
• Varicose veins (usually in the lower extremities).

However, this is not the entire list of pathologies that a phlebologist can diagnose and treat.

With a vascular surgeon, competencies are similar. More on this below.

Pathologies of the veins are found in every third person. Since the clinical manifestations of these diseases are often absent, a person may not be aware of his illness for a long period. Therefore, patients seek the help of a doctor when the disease is already in an advanced stage. Phlebology is a young science, but it has earned a lot of positive feedback, since vein diseases cause a lot of suffering.

The difference between a phlebologist and a vascular surgeon

An angiosurgeon (vascular surgeon) is a doctor who is involved in the diagnosis and therapy of vascular pathologies. A phlebologist is a specialist in the field of vascular surgery. He is engaged in the prevention and treatment of diseases of the veins located in the lower extremities. That is, the difference between these specialists is significant. Patients often do not know who to turn to - a phlebologist or a vascular surgeon.

The competence of the latter are diseases of the small and large circles of blood circulation. For example, when blocking the carotid artery, the angiosurgeon will be involved in the therapy.

Not everyone knows the difference between a phlebologist and a vascular surgeon.

A phlebologist deals with varicose veins and other manifestations that occur against its background. If a patient with a pronounced form of venous insufficiency of the lower extremities seeks help from a vascular surgeon, he will redirect him to the right doctor.

Both specialists must have an appropriate medical education, undergo an internship or residency, receive the necessary practice.

These are important professions - a vascular surgeon and a phlebologist. The difference between them is better to find out in advance.

Specialist Phlebologist

Before you turn to a phlebologist for help, you should understand his specialization. The competence of this specialist is acquired and congenital pathology of the veins:

• Elephantiasis of the legs, which is caused by lymphedema (impaired lymphostasis).
• Skin defects of a cosmetic nature, for example, blue vein nets, spider veins.
• Postthrombotic syndrome.
• Venous bleeding.
• Trophic ulcers, accompanied by bleeding.
• Thrombophlebitis, thrombosis.
• Phlebitis.
• Varicose veins in the lower extremities.
• Varicose veins.
• Venous insufficiency.

You can contact a specialist both planned and in emergency situations. One such cause is the occurrence of thromboembolism.

Grounds for contacting a phlebologist

Often, patients turn to a specialist only when the disease is already in neglected form. This is due to the fact that pathological processes proceed hiddenly. Vein diseases can go unnoticed for a long time. In some cases, a person does not even realize that he is developing a disease. The reason for applying for help may be:

• Soreness after long walks, physical exertion.
• The occurrence of unidentified seals on the lower extremities.
• Swelling, visualization of a vein.
• The occurrence of sudden spasms in the calf muscles.
• Fatigue, heaviness in the legs.
• Bulging veins in the absence of other symptoms.
• Swelling.
• Leg cramps at night.

These signs should be an alarm signal indicating the development of pathology. In order to refute or confirm fears, it is worth consulting with a qualified specialist.

There are also categories of people who are at risk. Such patients are recommended examination even in the absence of clinical symptoms of venous pathologies. The risk group includes citizens of the following categories:

• People who abuse smoking and drinking heavily.
• Women who wear uncomfortable shoes every day and do standing work.
• Persons who lead a sedentary lifestyle due to their activities or health status.
• People who are overweight.
• Suffering from endocrine diseases (diabetes, hyperthyroidism).
• Pregnant women.
• People over the age of 45.

For preventive purposes, it is recommended to visit a specialist annually.

Visit doctor

Before contacting both the cardiovascular surgeon and the phlebologist, it is important to consider several factors:

• What is the doctor's experience in this specialization?
• Does he have work experience.
• The doctor's internship or residency in the field of vascular surgery.
• The category that the specialist has.

Doctors - a vascular surgeon and a phlebologist, as a rule, are accepted in private specialized, and sometimes in government clinics, where there is modern diagnostic equipment.

The specialized phlebological clinics also have innovative diagnostic and therapy systems. You can get an appointment with a specialist in several ways:

1. For a fee.
2. Having received a special referral to the diagnostic center from his therapist.

Paid consultation

The cost of primary paid admission is an average of 1200 rubles. The price will depend on the region of the country, the fame and qualifications of the doctor, the fame of the clinic.

In some regions of the country, the price can start from 2000 rubles. That is, it is difficult to call such a service cheap. In addition, after the examination, the doctor prescribes additional studies that will detect venous insufficiency.

Differences of the phlebologist from the vascular surgeon we examined.

Consultation procedure

Before contacting a specialist, it is recommended:

• Record symptoms that are troubling.
• If previously a person has already visited a vascular surgeon or phlebologist, you should take the available examination results and conclusions with you.

Since the doctor will examine the lower limbs, the patient is advised to choose wide-leg clothing in tight trousers and jeans.

The specialist accepts the patient in several stages:

• Collection of information about the patient - his age, quality of life, complaints, symptoms, professional field of activity.
• Then there is a visual examination of the patient - the doctor assesses the condition of the skin, its color, turgor.
• The next step is palpation. The doctor examines and evaluates the condition of the veins with the hands.
• In some cases, the specialist performs a diagnostic study of the main veins located deep, using an elastic bandage or tourniquet. Such a study makes it possible to identify inflammation and determine the fullness of the main veins.

Often, methods of hardware research are used to make a diagnosis.

Diagnostics

Diagnostics performed by a specialist can be of two forms: preliminary and confirmatory.

Among the preliminary diagnostic methods, it should be noted the test of Prett, Troyanov-Trendelenburg, Delbe-Paters. To carry out these tests, a phlebologist uses an elastic bandage to pull a diseased limb.

The main diagnostic methods that allow you to get the best performance are:

• Angiography using contrast agents.
• Phlebography, its derivatives - phleboscintigraphy, phlebomanometry.
• Angioscanning.
• Duplex scanning.
• CT, MRI.
• Doppler ultrasound performed by the physician himself.

In addition to diagnostics using modern equipment, some laboratory tests are shown to help establish or clarify the diagnosis:

• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for a blood sample.
• Lipidogram.
• Thromboelastogram.
• Coagulogram.
• OAM, OAK.

Therapies

The specialist determines the most suitable treatment technique, taking into account the severity of the disease and the nature of its course. Pathology can be eliminated in several ways: surgical intervention, conservative therapy.

The latter option has recently been recognized as ineffective, as it causes various venous complications. For the purpose of drug therapy, drugs are used that belong to the following groups of pharmaceuticals:

• Antithrombotic medicines.
• Anticoagulants.
• Antispasmodic drugs.
• Venotonic.

Medicines can be used orally and topically, in some cases - parenterally. In addition to these drugs, experts recommend taking vitamin-mineral complexes, observing the regime of physical activity and nutrition.

Surgical methods for the treatment of venous pathologies

The ineffectiveness of drug therapy and the critical stages of pathological processes involve surgical interventions.

Among minimally invasive methods, there are:

• Radio frequency obliteration.
• Laser coagulation.
• Sclerosis of the veins.

Among the traditional surgical methods, there are:

• Phlebectomy
• Thrombectomy.

The doctor determines the type of surgical intervention on an individual basis, taking into account the symptoms of the disease and its severity. Performs an operation phlebologist.

Thus, a phlebologist is a vascular surgeon with a narrow specialization.