Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026
Comprehensive Endovascular and Open Surgical Management of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations
Published on: October 20, 2017
[Current status of vascular surgery : in vascular medicine and general surgery]
1Abteilung Gefässchirurgie/Chirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstrasse 22, 81675, München, Deutschland. HHEckstein@web.de
Insights
Vascular surgery is increasingly specialized in German hospitals. Further development is needed in university and general surgical clinics to meet the growing demand for treating arterial and venous diseases.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Rising incidence of arterial and venous diseases necessitates advanced treatment strategies.
- Current therapies rely on conventional vascular surgery and endovascular methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the current status of vascular surgery in German hospitals.
- To evaluate the structure and independence of vascular surgery departments.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the Federal German Statistics Office and Federal Chamber of Physicians.
- Assessment of primary vascular diseases, surgical qualifications, and hospital departments.
- Evaluation of vascular surgery at university and non-university clinics.
Main Results:
- In 2004, 413,763 patients with primary vascular disease were treated in 1,846 German hospitals.
- Over 70% of patients were treated in specialized or general surgical clinics, with 50% undergoing surgery.
- Independent vascular surgery departments were found in 213 hospitals, but were less common in university clinics compared to larger non-university clinics.
Conclusions:
- Vascular surgery has established itself as an independent specialty within hospitals.
- Continued development and independence of vascular surgery departments are recommended for both general surgical and university clinics.
Background:
The proportion of arterial and venous diseases is increasing due to shifts in population. Therapy is based on conventional vascular surgery and conservative endovascular methods.
Material And Methods:
Based on data from the Federal German Statistics Office and the Federal Chamber of Physicians, information was gathered on primary vascular diseases, active special vascular groups, surgical qualifications, and surgical clinics. Additionally, the status of vascular surgery at university clinics and non-university clinics with more than 900 beds was assessed.
Results:
In 2004, 413,763 patients with primary vascular disease were treated in 1,846 German general hospitals. More than 70% of these patients were handled in vascular surgical or general surgical clinics, and operations were performed in 50% of cases. There exist independent vascular surgical departments in 213 hospitals. Thirty-three university clinics at 38 locations showed a total of six independent vascular surgery clinics (16%) and seven partially independent sections (18%). Vascular surgery is done within cardiac surgical departments in ten clinics and in general surgery department in 15 clinics. In contrast, there are independent vascular surgical departments in 39% and 53% of non-university clinics with more than 900 and 600-899 beds respectively.
Conclusions:
Vascular surgery has been established in hospitals as an independent speciality. This development must continue in general surgical and university clinics.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Overview of the Vascular System
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
01:22Aneurysm IV: Nursing Management
01:26Varicose Veins II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
01:20Vascular Resistance
The primary determinants of vascular resistance are vessel diameter, blood viscosity, and vessel length. Among these, vessel diameter plays the most significant role due to the fourth power relationship described by...
01:26Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care