Pediatric Vascular Surgery: A Review of Cases from a Dedicated Pediatric Vascular Surgery Clinic

Abstract

The experience in pediatric vascular diseases is limited in the United Kingdom and worldwide due to their rarity and variations in practice. We looked at types of cases presenting to a dedicated pediatric vascular clinic. Medical records of children seen in a dedicated pediatric vascular clinic at a tertiary referral service between 2016 and 2022 were reviewed. These patients were either seen for the first time in that clinic or had their appointments as a follow-up after inpatient review or intervention while being under the care of pediatric teams in local hospitals. Fifty-five patients (34 males) were seen aged between 4months and 17years (mean 9.5years). Common presentations were limb length discrepancy secondary to iatrogenic arterial occlusion, follow-up after bypass for trauma, lower limb swelling or discoloration, and varicose veins. Operative procedures included lower limb bypass, angioplasty, ligation of aneurysms, and varicose vein surgery. Pediatric vascular conditions are uncommon and therefore most vascular surgeons and trainees will have little exposure to such cases. Intervention is needed for arterial injury secondary to penetrating or iatrogenic trauma. A national registry is required for these rare cases to gain prospective data that can help build up more evidence for educational purposes and to establish guidelines.