Postgraduate School of Vascular Surgery

Common training objectives (or common core)

Students must acquire: in-depth knowledge of anatomy, clinical biochemistry, physiopathology and pharmacology; the ability to complete epidemiologic evaluations and workup of clinical cases, also through the use of information systems; practical experience required to clinically assess a patient correctly based on knowledge of aetiopathogenic mechanisms of disease processes, of related anatomical-pathological aspects, and of microbiological and haematological implications; in-depth knowledge of scientific English. Students must also acquire: adequate knowledge of surgical anatomy for objective clinical examinations and surgical medicine; the principles of asepsis and issues relating to organization and environmental hygiene in the operating room; knowledge of surgical instruments and of suture materials; traditional and alternative surgical methods and techniques; basic knowledge and related practical experience for personally assessing the overall condition of patients and identifying correctly cardiac, thoracic or vascular pathologies, providing an indication of the most suitable therapy as a function of risks, benefits and expected outcome for each single patient; acquire theoretical-practical knowledge of the preoperative and postoperative care (including intensive care) in diseases linked to their specialization that require surgery, so that students are able to address and solve issues pertaining to the definition and management of postoperative care and aftercare. Based on a comprehensive evaluation of the disease, they must be able to personally complete elective or emergency surgery. Students must acquire: the core competencies and experience required to diagnose and prescribe treatment for diseases pertaining to the class, with an overall understanding of priorities in the case of multiple pathologies or lesions in patients requiring other important specialist treatment; knowledge of the medical-legal aspects of theirs profession and the body of laws, norms and regulations governing healthcare; the ability to organize and manage their own surgical activity in relation to the characteristics of the facility in which they will be operating.

Core training objectives
-Students must acquire in-depth knowledge of the anatomy, physiopathology and pathological anatomy of the circulatory system;
-They must acquire the competencies to complete epidemiological evaluations and systematization of clinical data, also through the use of information systems

School-specific training objectives
-Knowledge of surgical anatomy, clinical signs and symptoms, as well as invasive and non-invasive instrumental diagnostics suitable for the treatment of cerebral, visceral and peripheral vascular pathologies;
-Knowledge of the methodological and clinical foundations of related specialist fields, and of their basic surgical techniques;
-Ability to integrate knowledge deriving from the analysis of clinical signs and symptoms and physiopathology of patients with vascular pathologies, so as to identify the most suitable treatment and be able to intervene surgically, in collaboration with surgical specialists in other fields;
-Theoretical-practical knowledge of standard arterial catheterism and endovascular therapy, including local-regional pharmacological therapy, percutaneous transluminal dilatation, and the application of vascular stents and endoprostheses;
-Knowledge of, and ability to perform, invasive e non-invasive instrumental checks;
-Theoretical-practical knowledge pertaining to the diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases of medical interest;
-Knowledge of anaesthesia and pain management methodologies so as be able to actively collaborate with specialists in the field in identifying the best clinical practice.

These are mandatory professionalizing activities to achieve the objectives of the typology:

Clinical-Diagnostic Activity:
- One quarter in general and/or emergency surgery departments;
- One quarter in resuscitation, intensive care and/or post-operative cardio-vascular thoracic intensive care departments;
- One quarter in cardiac surgery departments
- One quarter in thoracic surgery departments
- Participation in non-invasive vascular diagnostic activities: at least 200 cases of which at least 50% in first person
- Participation in invasive vascular diagnostic activity: at least 20 cases.

General Surgery Activity:
- Participation in at least 10 cases of medium surgery and 20 of minor surgery;

Vascular Surgery Activity:
- Participation as first operator in 5 cases of major surgery, 20 of medium surgery and 40 of minor surgery
- Participation as second operator in 5 cases of major surgery, 30 of medium surgery and 60 of minor surgery.

Endovascular Surgery Activity
- Participation as first operator in 5 cases of major surgery, 10 of medium surgery, 10 of minor surgery
- Participation as second operator in 10 cases of major surgery, 20 of medium surgery, 20 of minor surgery.

The trainee will be able to compete for the diploma after completing the professionalizing activities.