Vascular Surgery

TEAM

Dr Steven Dubenec
Head of Department

Dr Jack Loa
Research Lead

Dr Raffi Qasabian

Dr David Robinson

Dr Isuru Nammuni

Dr Tim Shiraev
Education Lead

About the Department

The Department of Vascular Surgery at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital is part of the Cardiovascular Clinical Stream of the Sydney Local Health District.
Vascular surgery provides a comprehensive range of services including open and endovascular procedures for the treatment of aneurysms, aortic dissection, peripheral arterial disease, cerebrovascular disease, superficial/deep venous disease, renal dialysis access, renal replacement therapy, leg ulcers, diabetic foot infection and vascular trauma. The team of six specialist surgeons also provide expert care to more than 700 patients in hospital and over 800 patients in the ambulatory care setting annually, as well as supporting several other surgical units at RPA to provide a vascular oncological service.

The department shares a merged 30-bed ward (6East 2) with the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery. It also utilises 23-hour peri-operative unit and an Intensive care unit on a needs basis. The Outpatient Vascular Angiography is performed in the Cardiovascular Catheter Laboratory.

Achievements

• Pioneering endovascular grafts with first undertaken in Australia
  
• First thoracic dissecting aneurysm treated in the world
  
• First classified endoleak
  
• Dedicated ultrasound laboratory
  
• Hybrid interventional operating theatre for combined endovascular and open surgical procedures

Key Research Themes

• Endovascular surgical techniques
  
• Management of aneurysms
  
• Dialysis access and fistula flow dynamics
  
• Robotic-assisted surgery

Key Education & Training Activities

• Graduate Medical Program – University of Sydney
• Training sessions for surgical trainees
• Education with the Australia and New Zealand Society of Vascular Surgeons

Services and Procedures

The Vascular Surgery Department performs both open and minimally invasive procedures covering all areas of vascular surgery.
Areas of expertise include:

• Endoluminal aortic stent grafting
• Angioplasty and stenting
• Minimally invasive vascular interventions
• Vascular oncological service (for pelvic exenterations, sarcoma and urology units)
• Congenital aortic disease
• Carotid stenting
• Peripheral arterial disease
• Abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms
• Complex peripheral vascular limb salvage
• Dialysis access for renal replacement therapies
  

All surgeons provide monthly outreach services to regional and rural NSW.
The surgeons are also involved in other multidisciplinary teams including cardiothoracic and cardiology team to treat complicated aortic and Marfans disease; colorectal team to treat recurrent pelvic cancers; orthopaedic team to treat sarcomas; transplant unit team in renal transplantation; renal team in relation to renal failure requiring arterio-venous fistulas and tunnelled catheters. Also, vascular surgeons have been integral members of RPA High Risk Foot Clinic team; with Dr Loa providing the consulting service at RPA HRFC fortnightly.

The Vascular Surgery Department works in close partnership with Vascular Laboratory which is located next to the Cardiovascular ward at level 6.  This allows for an easy access and close liaison within the department.

Useful Links

Affiliate Organisations

• University of Sydney
• The Baird Institute
• Chris O'Brien Lifehouse

Useful Links

• Australian and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery
  
  
• Australian and New Zealand Society of Vascular Nursing
  
  
• Australian and New Zealand Clinical Practice Guideline for Prevention and Management of Venous Leg Ulcers
  
  
• Woundswest - Leg ulcer Module
  
  
• NSW Wound Care Association *
  

Contact

Vascular Surgery Department RPAH
Missenden Road
Camperdown NSW 2050
Ph: 95156111