[General surgery under discussion. From the viewpoint of vascular surgery]

Vascular diseases are common and their frequency is rising. Statistics show that 15% of the German population over 65 display some kind of peripheral arterial pathology. Even aneurysmatic degeneration and cardiac and visceral perfusion disorders are being observed more frequently, while peak age is dropping. Therapeutic surgical options are accordingly being continually advanced and refined. Additionally the range of interventional therapies and new conservative options has substantially increased vascular surgeons' armamentarium. Updates in surgical training have responded to this increase in such disorders, and the diversification of therapeutic modalities has resulted in the elevation of vascular surgery from specialized techniques to a fully accredited specialty equal in standing to the other seven surgical disciplines. Controversy exists however about the new accredition, beginning with the question of advancement from basic surgical training while excluding important elements of general surgery. Since those training for this specialty will branch off immediately after 2 years of basic surgical training, their final accreditation in the new classification would exclude essential skills that remain part of the training as general surgeons.