Treatment of Varicose Veins and Other Problems with Veins – patient information to assist informed consent

This RACS patient education pamphlet provides information on the treatment of varicose veins. The topics discussed include:

• Anatomy and physiology of veins
• Varicose veins and spider veins
• Symptoms of abnormal veins, such as eczema and skin ulcers
• Non-surgical treatment options, such as surgical support stockings and bandages

The surgical removal of varicose veins is described in detail for severe cases and patients at risk of serious problems. Other treatment options outlined include:

• Endovenous laser therapy (ELT)
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Injection sclerotherapy

This leaflet can be a useful tool for patients as the benefits, risks and limitations of treatment are discussed in detail. The possible complications of surgery and injection treatment are listed to assist the informed-consent process.

Mi-tec publishes 31 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons patient information brochures. The treatment of varicose veins is described in plain English to assist the patients’ understanding of health information and to help patients make informed decisions. The RACS patient information brochures are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.

Vascular Access Surgery – patient information to assist informed consent

This RACS patient education pamphlet provides information on vascular access surgery. This leaflet can be a useful tool for patients needing to undergo haemodialysis due to kidney disease or kidney failure.

The different surgical approaches for vascular access surgery are described. The surgical techniques discussed include:

• Arteriovenous fistula (AV fistula)
• Prosthetic graft
• Central venous catheter (CVC)

The benefits, risks and limitations of each procedure are discussed in detail. The possible complications of surgery, including specific risks of AV fistula surgery, a prosthetic graft and a central venous catheter, are listed to assist the informed-consent process.

Mi-tec publishes 31 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons patient information brochures. Vascular access surgery is described in plain English to assist the patients’ understanding of health information and to help patients make informed decisions. The RACS patient information brochures are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.

Carotid Endarterectomy and Angioplasty with Stenting – patient information to assist informed consent

This RACS patient education pamphlet provides surgical information on carotid endarterectomy and angioplasty with stenting. The topics discussed include:

• Anatomy and physiology of the carotid arteries
• Atherosclerosis, plaque and stenosis of the carotid arteries
• Symptoms of carotid disease, such TIAs, minor stroke and amaurosis fugax
• Diagnosis of artery disease, including colour duplex ultrasound imaging, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and carotid angiography

 Carotid endarterectomy and carotid angioplasty with a stent is described for patients needing removal of plaque to reduce the risk of stroke. Anti-platelet therapy and anti-coagulant therapy are also discussed as non-surgical treatment options for artery disease.

This pamphlet can be a useful tool for patients as the benefits, risks and limitations of treatment are discussed in detail. A comprehensive list of the possible complications of surgery is provided on page 4 to assist the informed-consent process.

Mi-tec publishes 31 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons patient information brochures. Carotid endarterectomy and angioplasty with stenting is described in plain English to assist the patients’ understanding of health information and to help patients make informed decisions. The RACS patient information brochures are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.

Surgical Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm – patient information to assist informed consent

This RACS patient education pamphlet provides information on surgery to treat abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The topics discussed include:

• Aortic aneurysms and abdominal aortic aneurysms
• Symptoms and signs of AAA
• Risk factors of AAA, including age, family history and hypertension
• Diagnosis of AAA, including mention of computed tomography (CT) and MRI
• Endovascular stent graft repair (EVAR) and its benefits compared to open surgery

Various surgical methods are described for patients needing treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm or a thoracic aortic aneurysm. The surgical techniques described include:

• Open surgery to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm
• EVAR of an abdominal aortic aneurysm
• EVAR of a thoracic aortic aneurysm
• Open surgery to repair an aneurysm of the ascending aorta

This leaflet can be a useful tool for patients as the benefits, risks and limitations of surgical treatment are discussed in detail. The possible complications of surgery are listed on page 4 to assist the informed-consent process.

Mi-tec publishes 31 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons patient information brochures. The surgical treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is described in plain English to assist the patients’ understanding of health information and to help patients make informed decisions. The RACS patient information brochures are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.

Surgical Treatment of Leg Ulcers  – patient information to assist informed consent

This RACS patient education pamphlet provides information on the surgical treatment of leg ulcers. The different types of leg ulcers are discussed in detail, including venous ulcers, ischaemic ulcers, vasculitic ulcers and neuropathic ulcers. The diagnosis of leg ulcers is also discussed, and the advanced diagnostic tests described include: venous incompetence duplex scan, arterial duplex scan, angiogram and ulcer biopsy.

The surgical procedures for treatment of an ischemic ulcer described include:

• Angioplasty and stenting of an artery
• Arterial bypass surgery

The surgical procedures for treatment of a venous ulcer described include:

• Endovascular ablation
• Stripping
• Sclerotherapy
• Skin grafts

This leaflet can be a useful tool for patients considering surgical treatment as the benefits, risks and limitations of surgery are discussed in detail. A comprehensive list of the possible complications of surgery is provided on page 4 to assist the informed-consent process.

Mi-tec publishes 31 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons patient information brochures. The surgical treatment of leg ulcers is described in plain English to assist the patients’ understanding of health information and to help patients make informed decisions. The RACS patient information brochures are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.

Hyperhidrosis – patient information to assist informed consent

This RACS patient education pamphlet provides information on the surgical treatment of hyperhidrosis. This leaflet can be a useful tool for patients considering surgical treatment for the relief of excessive and uncontrollable sweating. The topics discussed include:

• Anatomy and physiology of the skin
• Causes and diagnosis of hyperhidrosis
• Secondary hyperhidrosis (caused by underlying conditions such as menopause, obesity and some hormone disorders)
• Non-surgical and surgical treatment options

The non-surgical treatment options discussed are:

• Dietary changes
• Prescription antiperspirants
• Oral medications
• Iontophoresis
• Botox injections

The surgical treatment options discussed for hyperhidrosis are axillary sweat gland excision and endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS). The benefits, risks and limitations of each procedure are discussed in detail. The possible complications of surgery are listed on page 4 to assist the informed-consent process.

Mi-tec publishes 31 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons patient information brochures. Hyperhidrosis is described in plain English to assist the patients’ understanding of health information and to help patients make informed decisions. The RACS patient information brochures are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.