Vascular Procedures

Each procedure below is one our surgeons perform. Whether any of them is right for you is a decision you make with your surgeon.

• Dialysis Access

  Creating or revising the access needed for hemodialysis, planned together with your kidney specialist.

• Vascular Access Placement

  Placing a device that gives reliable access to a vein for treatments given over time.

• Chemotherapy Port Placement

  A small port placed under the skin so chemotherapy can be given without repeated needle sticks in the arm.

• Infusion Port Placement

  A port used for infusions other than chemotherapy, such as long-course medication.

• Temporal Artery Biopsy

  A small sample of the artery at the temple is taken for examination. It may be ordered when a patient has an elevated sedimentation rate or a history of chronic headaches. Your physician decides whether this test is appropriate.

• Evaluation or Treatment of Vascular Insufficiency

  Vascular insufficiency is a lack of blood flow to the extremities.

Common reasons patients are referred

• An oncologist has requested a port before beginning chemotherapy
• A nephrologist has requested dialysis access
• A physician has ordered a temporal artery biopsy
• Reduced circulation in the arms or legs needs evaluation

When professional evaluation may be appropriate

• Your treatment plan requires a port or another form of vascular access
• An existing dialysis access is not working well
• You have leg pain with walking, slow-healing wounds, or color changes in the feet
• Your physician has ordered a biopsy or vascular evaluation