Questions to ask the Vascular Surgeon

The information regarding aortic aneurysm repair clearly indicates that the results of surgery are closely correlated with the experience of the vascular surgeon. Despite this fact, a recent report indicated that many surgeons in New York State perform fewer than 10 aortic aneurysm repairs annually. It is suggested that a patient ask the surgeon several questions before proceeding with aortic aneurysm repair:

Is the surgeon Certified in Vascular Surgery by the American Board of Surgery?

How many aortic aneurysm repairs has the surgeon performed?

What are the surgeon's personal results regarding operative mortality?

Has the surgeon published his results in any peer reviewed surgical journals or presented his results at any vascular society meetings?