The Specialist in Vascular Surgery must have gained theoretical, scientific and professional knowledge in the field of pathophysiology, clinical semeiotics, invasive and non-invasive instrumental diagnostics, medical and surgical therapy, and rehabilitation of diseases of the vascular system; he also has specific expertise in clinical pathology, in the different methods of surgical and endovascular treatment of arterial and venous vascular and cardio-thoracic diseases; Generic areas of expertise include anesthesia, resuscitation and intensive care, emergency surgery, renal transplant surgery and assistance to end-stage renal failure as far as vascular surgery is concerned.

The Postgraduate School of Vascular Surgery has a duration of 5 years. The School is located at the U.O.C. of Vascular Surgery of the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS. The number of students enrolled varies from year to year, according to ministerial provisions and any additional scholarships financed by the Regions or other public or private bodies.

The training program includes both theoretical and practical training. The school has a training network and training takes place at the Operating Units that are part of it.

In particular, the School:

I) provides adequate theoretical teaching to develop practical specialized skills updated to current clinical practice;

II) promotes regular participation in care activities, including interdisciplinary ones, in order to ensure the acquisition of progressive and complete professional autonomy;

III) encourages participation in training events (Courses, Seminars, Congresses);

IV) provides for and encourages individual tutoring activities;

V) proposes agreements abroad on specific training and research projects in order to maintain an up-to-date comparison with other realities in the sector;

VI) encourages the involvement of the various structures in the research activities, encouraging publication in peer-reviewed journals or the presentation of the results at the congresses of our discipline.

The following are compulsory professionalizing activities to achieve the purposes of the typology:

Clinical-diagnostic activities:

• One trimester in general and/or emergency surgery departments
• One trimester in resuscitation, intensive care and/or post-operative cardio-vascular thoracic intensive care units
• A Trimester in Cardiac Surgery Departments
• One Trimester in Thoracic Surgery Departments
• Participation in non-invasive vascular diagnostic activities: at least 200 cases of which at least 50% in the first person
• Participation in invasive vascular diagnostics: at least 20 cases

General Surgery Activities:

• Participation in at least 10 cases of medium surgery and 20 of minor surgery;

Vascular surgical activity:

• Participation as first operator in 5 cases of major surgery, 20 of medium surgery and 40 of minor surgery
• Participation as second operator in 5 cases of major surgery, 30 of medium surgery and 60 of minor surgery

Endovascular Surgery Activities:

• Participation as first operator in 5 cases of major surgery, 10 of medium surgery, 10 of minor surgery
• Participation as second operator in 10 cases of major surgery, 20 of medium surgery, 20 of minor surgery

The student will be able to compete for the diploma after completing the professionalizing activities.

As part of the training course, the student will have to learn the scientific bases of the type of School in order to achieve full maturity and professional competence that includes an adequate ability to interpret scientific innovations and critical knowledge that allows him to consciously manage both assistance and his own updating; In this context, participation in meetings, congresses and the production of scientific publications and periods of attendance in qualified Italian and foreign institutions useful for his/her training may be envisaged.

(extract from the annex to Interministerial Decree no. 68/2015 on the reorganisation of Specialisation Schools in the health area)

The educational objectives of the Postgraduate School of Vascular Surgery are:

Basic objectives:

• The student must learn in-depth knowledge of anatomy, pathophysiology, and pathological anatomy of the circulatory system
• They must learn the knowledge necessary for the epidemiological evaluation and systematization of clinical data, also through the use of computer systems

Learning objectives:

• Knowledge of surgical anatomy, clinical semeiology and invasive and non-invasive instrumental diagnostics suitable for the treatment of cerebral, visceral and peripheral vasculopathies
• Knowledge of the fundamentals of methodology and clinics related to related specialist fields, as well as their fundamental surgical techniques
• Ability to integrate the knowledge deriving from the semiological, pathophysiological and clinical analysis of vasculopathic patients, necessary to know how to decide the most appropriate therapeutic conduct, to know how to intervene surgically, in an integrated way with other specialized surgical sectors
• Knowledge of the normal theoretical-practical notions of arterial catheterization and endovascular therapies, including loco-regional pharmacological therapies, percutaneous transluminal dilation, application of vascular stents and endoprostheses
• Knowledge and practical ability of invasive and non-invasive instrumental control methods
• Theoretical-practical knowledge for the diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases of medical interest
• Knowledge of anesthesia and pain therapy methodologies in order to be able to actively collaborate with specialists in the field for the adoption of the most appropriate clinical conduct

Related or supplementary objectives:

• basic knowledge and experience necessary to recognize and, as far as it is concerned, treat pathologies referable to the field of other specialties, particularly in situations where treatment cannot be postponed. The resident must achieve the ability to comprehensively frame multi-specialty problems by correctly defining treatment priorities in the presence of multiple pathologies and injuries. They must also learn the medical-legal aspects related to the specialist class and the laws and regulations governing health care.

The School creates the right conditions for carrying out research activities, providing its resident physicians with the resources and tools necessary to carry out scientific research and encouraging scientific collaboration between subjects belonging to the academic community, facilitating the establishment of research groups and promoting the exchange of scholars with other Italian and foreign universities and scientific institutions.

• Participation in research projects and writing of scientific articles
• Training and scientific and cultural collaboration with Italian and foreign institutions
• Participation in national and international courses and congresses

The School promotes and supports the internationalisation process through the mobility of postgraduate students, integrated study programmes, and inter-university cooperation initiatives for study and research activities.

It collaborates with national and international bodies in the definition and implementation of scientific cooperation and training programmes.

• Internationalization: training periods abroad lasting a maximum of 18 months
• Interregional projects: periods in extra-regional training network
• Active participation in the Transatlantic Aortic Team (Thomas Jefferson University)