Welcome to Vascular Surgeons!

👋 Hello, and welcome to my blog!

My name is Luis A. Navarro Garzon, a Consultant Vascular Surgeon with over 20 years of experience in the art and science of vascular surgery. I currently serve as:

• Clinic Lead in Vascular Surgery, and
• Vascular Academic Lead at North Cumbria Integrated Care, Cumberland Infirmary, NHS Foundation Trust – Vascular Department.

🔍 Areas of Expertise

Throughout my career, I’ve developed particular interest and proficiency in:

• Elective AAA open repair (transperitoneal and retroperitoneal)
• Carotid endarterectomy under local and general anaesthesia
• Bypass procedures: above/below knee, in-situ, and ultra-distal to pedal arteries
• Extra-anatomic bypasses
• Major and minor amputations
• Endothermal ablation for varicose veins
• Diabetic foot disease management
• AV fistula creation
• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Emergency cases: ruptured AAAs, vascular trauma, and acute limb ischaemia

🎯 Why This Blog?

I created this blog to share surgical insights, techniques, and reflections gathered across decades of clinical practice in:

🇪🇨 Ecuador | 🇦🇷 Argentina (under my friend and mentor, Dr. Miguel Ángel Peirano, MBChB, MD, Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ramos Mejía Hospital) | 🇪🇸 Spain | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

You’ll find here:

• Challenging clinical cases
• Tips and tricks for surgical practice
• Opinions on modern vascular surgery
• Key principles and historical context
• References to relevant literature and research

🧠 Passing on Knowledge: A Responsibility

"Without good vascular training today, there will be no new vascular surgeons tomorrow."

Training future surgeons is not only a duty—it's a passion. Open vascular surgery, despite the rise of endovascular options, remains the most durable solution for many conditions. That’s why mastering the fundamentals is non-negotiable.

Let’s never forget the contributions of pioneers like Alexis Carrel and Charles Claude Guthrie, whose principles continue to shape our field.

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” — Various authors

🤝 Teamwork Matters

A vascular surgeon never works alone. Behind every successful operation is a team of dedicated nurses and scrub nurses, who face stress and pressure just like surgeons do.

I strongly believe in vascular-focused training for these key collaborators. A well-trained and cohesive team ensures that our patients receive efficient, safe, and high-quality care.

🙏 Thank You for Visiting

I hope this blog becomes a helpful companion in your training—whether you're a medical student, resident, or young consultant.

Please feel free to reach out with questions, thoughts, or comments. I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned.

Warm regards,
Mr Luis A. Navarro Garzon, MBChB, MD
Consultant Vascular Surgeon
Clinic Lead in Vascular Surgery
Vascular Academic Lead – North Cumbria Integrated Care
Cumberland Infirmary, NHS Foundation Trust