Emergencies during oncovascular surgery: Strategies and pitfalls

Abstract

In a growing number of pathologies, vascular invasion is no longer considered a contraindication for surgery with a curative intention. This has led vascular surgeons to be more involved in the treatment of pathologies that they are not used to. These patients should be managed in a multidisciplinary manner. New types of emergencies and complications have emerged. Emergencies in oncovascular surgery are mostly avoidable with careful planning and good collaboration between oncological surgeons and a dedicated vascular surgery team. The operations often involve difficult vascular dissection and complex reconstructive techniques in a potentially contaminated and irradiated field, and the risk of postoperative complications and blow out is increased. However, after a successful operation and immediate postoperative course, the patients often recover faster than the typical fragile vascular surgical patient. This narrative review focuses on emergencies that are more or less specific to oncovascular procedures. A scientific approach and international collaboration are needed, so that we can better identify which patients should be operated, what problems to anticipate and could be avoided with better planning, and which solutions improve patient outcome.