| Vascutek
Patient Education |
|
| Vascular
Anatomy & Vascular
Surgery |
| Frequently
Asked Questions |
This
section has been compiled
by a Consultant Vascular
Surgeon to provide helpful
background information
to patients who receive
a vascular prosthesis.
It is intended to supplement
information given by
the patient's own medical/surgical
team and is not a replacement
for such information. |
| If
you wish to download a
pdf version for off-line
viewing, click here |
| Please
consult your General Practitioner
or Surgeon if anything
is puzzling you. |
|
| How
can I be sure my prosthesis
is working properly? |
After
your prosthesis has
been implanted, symptoms
that you suffered prior
to surgery will have
reduced, and in many
cases, will have disappeared
altogether. Providing
these symptoms and signs
do not return or worsen,
it can be safely assumed
that the prosthesis
is working satisfactorily. |
| |
| How
will my vascular system
be affected if my vascular
prosthesis should stop
functioning? |
The
organ or tissue served
by the prosthesis will
gradually or suddenly
receive less blood and
typical symptoms will
return. For example,
severe pain on walking,
or coldness of a foot
especially in bed at
night. |
| |
| Can
vascular prostheses be
affected by outside energy
sources like motors, microwave
ovens, airport security
checks, sun beds etc? |
| No. |
| |
| Will
my activities be restricted
because of my prosthesis? |
Only
your doctor can advise
you of your individual
limitations. He has
knowledge of your general
condition and the position
of your prosthesis.
It is very common, however,
for patients to return
to a completely normal
and active life after
implantation of a vascular
prosthesis. However,
for prostheses inserted
in the legs, your doctor
may well recommend a
level of restriction
to certain activities
like golf, swimming
or gardening until the
prosthesis is fully
integrated within the
vascular system. |
| |
| Can
I smoke? |
| You
should not smoke. Smoking
has been shown to affect
the long-term success
of vascular prostheses
as well as the condition
of your own arteries.
|
| |
| How
about restriction on my
sexual activity? |
| Unless
your doctor advises you
otherwise, resume and
enjoy your usual sexual
activity. |
| |
| Can
I still drive a car? |
| In
most cases, yes. Of course
you must take the advice
of your doctor. |
| |
| How
will my diet be affected? |
Your
doctor may instruct
you to avoid certain
foods or add others
to your diet. In general,
you should keep your
weight to the normal
range for your age and
reduce your intake of
animal fat. Good nutrition,
like good physical conditioning
and some medicines,
will help your vascular
system function properly. |
| |
| What
about travelling? |
Once
the prosthesis has become
integrated within the
vascular system, travel
should be unrestricted.
When travelling or sitting
for prolonged periods
of time, if a leg prosthesis
has been inserted, it
is good practice to
sit reclined with the
legs outstretched and
to have some exercise
during the journey.
However, your doctor
is the only one able
to give you final advice. |
| |
| Is
it necessary for me to
take drugs or medication
to maintain the prosthesis? |
Frequently,
your doctor will put
you on tablets designed
to help the function
of your prosthesis.
This is nothing to worry
about but it is important
that you follow your
doctor’s instructions. |
| |
| If
I have any infection or
have any surgical procedure
should I take any special
precaution? |
If
you have any significant
skin infection or have
a minor operative procedure
e.g. dental treatment,
or cystoscopy or examination
of the bowel then you
should always consult
your doctor regarding
the advisability of
taking an antibiotic.
Similar advice should
be sought if you have
a bout of severe gastro-enteritis. |
| |
| How
often does my vascular
prosthesis require replacement? |
Your
vascular prosthesis
has been designed to
last and remain functional
for years. However,
some bypasses will block.
If this happens you
may need a new bypass,
depending on your particular
symptoms. |
There
is a small risk of any
prosthesis becoming
infected. When it is
placed in your body,
the prosthesis is guaranteed
to be 100% sterile and
free of all infective
agents. Operations are
carried out under the
strictest sterile conditions
possible and you will
have been given antibiotics
at the time of the operation
to reduce the risk of
infection further. On
very rare occasions,
infection can nevertheless
be carried onto the
prosthesis from your
skin or from the air
of the operating theatre.
This may not have any
effect but, if the prosthesis
becomes infected, it
often needs to be removed. |
| |
This
information is provided
as a service to medicine
by Vascutek,
a TERUMO Company.
© 2004 |
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