Vascular Surgery Services

Where precision meets compassion

Heart & Vascular East Photoshoot

Our approach to vascular surgery

Expertise is the name of our game. Our highly experienced vascular surgeons are closely involved in all the care our team provides. 

Along with our dedicated staff with specialized training in vascular care, we'll work closely with you to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique needs and concerns. 

From the routine to the cutting-edge, we have what it takes to treat blood vessel disorders with high-quality care and compassion.

Conditions we treat

  • abdominal aortic aneurysms
  • aneurysms in legs
  • carotid artery disease 
  • claudication (discomfort in legs while walking)
  • deep vein thrombosis and blood clots in legs
  • dialysis access needs
  • foot ulcers due to diabetes or artery problems
  • leg pain or cold foot
  • pelvic congestion syndrome
  • peripheral artery disease (PAD)
  • thoracic (chest) aortic aneurysms
  • varicose and spider veins
  • venous leg ulcers

Tests and treatments

Carotid artery disease treatments

The carotid artery carries blood from the heart through the neck to the brain. If plaque builds up in the artery — a condition known as carotid artery disease — it can reduce or block the flow, raising the risk of stroke. Carotid artery disease is a common cause of strokes and mini-strokes. 

In addition to medical treatment, WellSpan vascular specialists treat carotid disease surgically, using either endarterectomy or minimally invasive stenting when necessary. Endarterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes plaque in the carotid artery. A stent pushes plaque to the artery walls, widening the artery to help restore blood flow.

Minimally invasive aortic aneurysm repair

Minimally invasive endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR and TEVAR) is an alternative to open aneurysm surgery, which is required in some cases. 

In the EVAR and TEVAR procedures, your WellSpan vascular surgeon will insert catheters (long, narrow tubes) through a small incision in the groin. Our vascular surgeons can also access veins percutaneously (pTEVAR and pEVAR), which is with needle sticks rather than incisions. We then pass a covered stent through the artery and position it across the aneurysm to prevent it from enlarging or rupturing. 

Your WellSpan vascular surgeon will help you choose between open and minimally invasive repair for your aortic aneurysm.

Varicose and spider vein treatments

Your veins contain valves designed to keep the blood flowing toward the heart. When these valves weaken or fail, you may experience varicose veins, especially in the legs. 

One treatment option is endovenous ablation therapy. Your WellSpan doctor will insert a catheter into the vein and use heat to seal off the varicose vein, allowing healthy veins to restore blood flow. 

WellSpan offers a range of treatment options to remove or diminish unsightly varicose and spider veins. Your WellSpan vascular surgeon will discuss which options are right for you, based on your age, health condition and personal goals. With these treatments, many people can go home the same day as their procedure.

Dialysis access fistulas, grafts and catheter placement

People who receive hemodialysis need a reliable point of access to their bloodstream — called vascular access — so that blood can be cleaned and returned to the body at a high volume and speed. 

Our vascular surgeons can create dialysis access through either an arteriovenous fistula, a surgically created direct connection between the artery and superficial veins in your arms, or an arteriovenous graft, which places a plastic tube under the skin to connect the artery to the veins. Your WellSpan vascular surgeon can explain which one best supports your medical condition.

Endovascular interventions

Endovascular interventions allow doctors to treat vascular conditions throughout the body by means of the major blood vessels. For example, our vascular specialists can insert a balloon, stent or coil with a catheter to widen an artery blocked by atherosclerosis and restore blood flow. 

Because these procedures are minimally invasive, there’s less scarring and recovery times can be faster.

Open bypass surgery and endovascular interventions for PAD and diabetic foot ulcers

Treatment of PAD, claudication and diabetic foot ulcers includes medical and exercise therapy and proper wound care for ulcers. When the circulation to your legs is severely reduced or blocked, your WellSpan vascular specialist can treat the blockage with either open bypass surgery, endovascular interventions or a combination of both. 

Open bypass surgery involves using your own veins or a plastic tube to bypass blocked areas in leg arteries. 

Endovascular interventions allow doctors to treat vascular conditions by means of a balloon, a stent or an atherectomy device. This treatment involves inserting a catheter and using one of these devices to widen an artery blocked by atherosclerosis and restore blood flow.

How we can help

Vascular conditions — conditions related to the veins and arteries — run the gamut from small spider veins to life-threatening aneurysms and arterial disease.

Whatever vascular challenge you’re facing, WellSpan’s vascular and endovascular surgery team is dedicated to returning you to good health as soon as possible. 

Our highly qualified, board-certified doctors are at the top of their field, ensuring you get outstanding care that’s backed by the latest research. Coupled with our providers’ expertise, the advanced medical technologies we use give you the broadest range of treatment options, from minimally invasive, catheter-based techniques to open surgery when indicated.

As a vascular patient at WellSpan, your goals are our goals. Once we know what you want to accomplish, we’ll create a treatment plan designed to put those outcomes within reach.

It won’t just be your doctor working for you. Instead, we support your recovery by leveraging our vast network, including other vascular specialists within WellSpan and beyond, providers in related fields, community organizations and even your family, friends and coworkers.

Meet our experts

Fellowship-trained and board-certified vascular surgeons, some trained in minimally invasive (endovascular) procedures, supported by a compassionate team with specialty training — all here for you.

York Hospital Recruitment Stills_HV209577

Why choose WellSpan for vascular surgery?

When choosing a vascular surgeon, you want to feel confident that you're getting the best possible care. With our top-notch team, you can rest assured you're in good hands.

Elite care, close to home

Trust that you're getting the highest standard of elite-quality vascular care without traveling far from home. The guidelines we follow are set by the nationally recognized governing body for vascular surgery. We're also one of the only programs to treat pelvic congestion syndrome for postpartum women.

Emergency care 24/7

As part of a level 1 trauma center, we have surgeons available 24/7 for emergency vascular procedures. With our hybrid operating room, you'll have access to the latest minimally invasive techniques that can solve complex surgical emergencies. Our emergency operating room is also an option if you're high-risk for a conventional procedure.

Dedicated vascular-trained staff and facilities

All our facilities feature dedicated, vascular-trained support staff, making the care we offer comparable to nearby academic centers. You'll find our high degree of specialization at every level — from specialty-trained operating room technologists and nurses to entire hospital floors designed for vascular care to standardized cardiac protocols for post-op care.

Industry leaders

Nationally recognized journals have published our surgeons' research and case studies. Some of our surgeons have specialization in complex, minimally invasive techniques (endovascular) and completed training at institutions dedicated to advancing the quality of endovascular care. And we're pioneering quality and education initiatives within our own system to always be at the forefront of care.