Vascular Surgery

Introduction

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust Vascular Surgery Visiting Professional Programme (VPP) is designed to provide international visiting professionals with the opportunity to profit from exposure to cutting edge endovascular case selection, planning, operative technique and new developments in the field. The Programme’s aim is to provide a unique development experience intended to broaden a visiting professional’s surgical education and to teach new skills with which the participant can ultimately enhance his/her home institution. Our programme offers an unrivalled opportunity covering the full range of vascular and endovascular surgery in a high volume, world class vascular unit in the heart of London.

The remit of the Endovascular VPP is to offer focused training in complex endovascular endografting of the full range of aortic pathologies that affect the aorta from the aortic valve to the femoral vessels. In addition, the unit maintains a comprehensive complex open aortic service and VPP participants are encouraged to profit from the learning opportunities that are available in open aortic surgery.

Format

Patient Selection

The participant will participate in the weekly multi-disciplinary meeting (MDT) dedicated to complex endovascular aortic interventions and will also attend weekly clinics with our team of endovascular specialists, cardiovascular anaesthetists, specialist peri-operative dedicated for the proactive care of older people going to have surgery (POPS) team, and complex endovascular specialist nurse coordinator.

Endograft planning

The weekly timetable will include 2 sessions of focused advanced complex EVAR planning. Participants will learn to independently plan custommade fenestrated or branched endografts, thereby enhancing his/her future complex aortic endovascular practice by reducing delays in endograft production time.

Endograft procedure execution and operative steps

There will be a minimum of three complex endovascular operating sessions per week, at which advanced participants will be exposed to fenestrated and branched cases for the treatment of chronic dissection and degenerative aneurysms.

Participants will learn how to lead a team in complex endovascular procedures, discuss strategies related to patient care, anaesthetic options, operating room set up, radiation protection and detailed operative procedural steps.

A “hands-on” experience, if required, is available subject to appropriate GMC registration and medical indemnity arrangements.

The participant will benefit from working in state of the art hybrid endovascular theatre, equipped with advanced imaging fusion facility.

Trouble shooting and complications management

Participants will acquire technical tips for managing challenging anatomies and avoiding pitfalls and
complications.

Radiation exposure reduction

There will be specific training on the responsible use of ionising radiation and the use of strategies to minimise the radiation dose to clinical staff and patients.

Clinical enquiries

For clinical enquiries about the scope of programme please contact:

Mr Said Abisi
Consultant Vascular Surgeon
said.abisi@gstt.nhs.uk

Individual weekly timetables will be created depending on each visiting professional’s requirements.

A Certificate of Attendance will be awarded to visitors upon the end of their programme.

Who can apply

This programme is particularly designed to enhance the skills of vascular and cardiothoracic surgeons and interventional radiologists who plan to develop their own fenestrated and branched aortic endografting programs.

Programme duration

We are able to offer visiting professional programmes for international doctors for periods of 12 weeks to 12 months. The programme’s duration can be tailored to the specific learning requirements of those visiting the Trust.

Fees

A course fee per week will be applied; this fee excludes accommodation and travelling expenses. To find out the fee amount please email vpp@gstt.nhs.uk.

Please note

Clinicians are able to offer bursaries or discounted placements on an individual basis. This is at the discretion of the Directorates of GSTT and does not affect the terms and conditions of the Visiting Professional Programme agreements.