Vascular surgery in Norway
Kroese, A.J.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 109(1): 20-21
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 2911811 Document Number: 331709
A questionnaire on vascular surgical activity in 1986 was sent to all Norwegian surgical departments (80). 78 units responded. Vascular surgery is not performed in the two hospitals who did not respond. Altogether 3,509 vascular operations were performed in 1986 (844 operations per million inhabitants). By comparison, 2,529 operations were performed in 1981, 2,039 in 1978 and 1,100 in 1975. The largest increase was recorded in operations for abdominal aortic aneurysm, carotid artery stenosis, arterial emboli and angio-access surgery. Elective vascular operations were performed in 41 departments, whereas an additional 16 did emergency vascular surgery only. 34% of the operations were performed by members of the junior staff. Differences between the five health regions have decreased since the investigation in 1981. The highest activity was observed in Health Region V, where 986 operations were performed per million inhabitants. Vascular surgical activity is increasing in Norway. This must be taken into account when estimating the number of residencies and staff positions for vascular surgery. The increasing need for vascular surgery should also influence priorities in our national health system.