The Bangladesh Vascular Society for the first time observed ‘vascular day’ in Dhaka on Saturday, sounding alarms about unnecessary procedures caused by a lack of awareness and expertise.
They advised against amputating limbs without consulting a vascular surgeon, as most procedures are currently performed by general surgeons due to the shortage of qualified vascular specialists.
They also asked people with diabetes to have their feet checked every six months, while anyone over the age of 30 should have an annual foot check-up.
The government has been urged to create positions for vascular surgeons and expand vascular surgical services in government hospitals.
“In Bangladesh, people are losing limbs daily for various reasons – from road accidents to blockage of arteries. Just like the heart, blockages occur in the arteries of the arms and legs as well. If blood flow is blocked for about six hours in the arteries of the heart or legs, without timely medical intervention, the affected limb may need to be amputated. Many are unaware of this, leading to preventable amputations,” Dr. Saklayen Russell, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Vascular Society, said at a press briefing on Saturday.
President of the Society Prof Dr. Abul Hasan Muhammad Bashar also spoke.
Vascular surgery is a specialized field of surgery that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the vascular system, which includes arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels.
With the advancement of technology, vascular surgeons perform various procedures, from minimally invasive techniques to open surgeries, to restore proper blood flow, remove blockages, or repair damaged vessels particularly in limbs.
Unfortunately, the number of vascular surgeons in Bangladesh is very low.
The absence of designated vascular surgeon positions in various government medical colleges means that there are limited opportunities for vascular surgeons to work in those facilities, making it impossible to ensure proper treatment for accident victims, leaders of the Society said.
“Vascular surgeons are trained in advanced treatments, making amputation a last resort for them. They attempt to save limbs by inserting rings in blocked arteries, similar to the stents used in heart procedures. Such decisions and procedures are not typically expected from a general surgeon. Unfortunately, there are only 55 vascular surgeons in the country, which is why we are emphasizing the need for additional training positions in medical colleges,” Dr. Saklayen Russell told the Dhaka Tribune.
The risk of death for someone who undergoes a limb amputation is nearly 50% within five years, and for some, it can be even higher.
“Thus, maintaining the health of our limbs is vital, as unhealthy limbs can lead to overall body dysfunction and jeopardize life,” he said, adding that they observed the day with a slogan “Save limb, save life”.
“It is also important to stay away from smoking, controlling diabetes, managing high blood pressure, and seeking immediate advice from a vascular surgeon if experiencing sudden coldness or severe pain in the limbs,” he said.
“These issues are not only unknown to the general public but also to many healthcare providers,” he said, adding that they would observe November 1 as the ‘vascular day’, marking the founding day of their Society.