VaLSA is a novel educational initiative designed to compliment and enhance the formal training of vascular surgical trainees/ new consultants in the field of lower limb surgical and endovascular arterial revascularisation. 

 

Aims for candidates are to:

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- Understand the surgical anatomy of lower limb bypass surgery

- Practise techniques for exposing lower limb arteries including:

• Anteromedial and medial approaches to profunda femoris

• Posterior approach to popliteal

• Medial, lateral & posterior apporaches to peroneal artery

- Practise 'on- & off-piste' techniques for bypass surgery including:     

• Composite sequential bypass    

• Fem-ultra distal bypass

• Redo fem-distal bypass

- Practise adjunctive procedures of bypass surgery including:

• Gracilis, Rectus femoris and Sartorius muscle flaps

- Understand the concepts of endovascular surgery including:     

• Subintimal angioplasty

• Hybrid procedures     

• CERAB procedures

- Practise lower limb angioplasty and stent deployment  

- Understand the evidence base for our practice