The surgeon as an endovascular interventionist. Why and how?

Catheter-based endovascular techniques have advanced significantly over the past three decades. It is only recently that surgeons have become more interested in these developments, and are now rapidly gaining in training and widening practice opportunities. Endovascular training and credentialing for the surgeon continue to be poorly-defined areas. Several pathways, albeit incomplete, are available for the incorporation of endoluminal/percutaneous skills into the surgical armamentarium. Ultimately, it can only be through established postgraduate residency and fellowship programs that the subspecialty of endovascular surgery can have a more universal applicability. The basic necessary catheter skills have been defined. Imaging requirements, both radiographic and endoscopic/ultrasonographic, are most significant and of great significance for the safe and successful performance of endoluminal vascular techniques. On balance, it is felt strongly that endoluminal catheter techniques are crucially important for the vascular surgeon of today and tomorrow.