New York, New York

World's biggest meeting of Vascular Specialists

"I am looking forward to attending the world's biggest meeting of Vascular Specialists next week: the Veith Meeting takes place in New York from November 15th - 19th 2016. I will be attending in my capacity as a member of the Executive Council of the International Society of Vascular Surgery.
It is an honour to have been invited to chair three of the scientific sessions and to be one of the judges for the best scientific research presented at the meeting and also to present the prizes at the end of the meeting.

I look forward to hearing about the latest research in the field of Vascular Surgery."

A Tale of Two Trinities

Having spent 12 years as a Consultant Vascular Surgeon at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, I was very happy to be amongst the supporters of the Hospital at the 250th Anniversary Gala Dinner on Friday 9 September 2016.

My wife, Ann, accompanied me and along with current and former colleagues and guests from the wider Cambridge community, we enjoyed fine dining and wonderful entertainment in the splendid setting of Neville's Court at Trinity College.

Over £300,000 was raised, with Lord Jeffrey Archer as the auctioneer for the evening. and I believe it is still possible to pledge support via the ACT (Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust) office at the Hospital.

The second "Trinity" event took place at Trinity Hall on Sunday 11 September 2016, when members of Trinity Hall, Cambridge and Yale University gathered for dinner as part of their annual conference, marking the two centres' collaborative work with lectures and talks taking place over three days.

It also gave me the opportunity to meet up with my good friend from Yale, Professor Alan Dardik, and we were able to discuss the forthcoming Veith International Vascular Symposium, to be held in New York in November.

We are both on the Executive Council and I am sure there will be many exciting vascular surgery developments to discuss during the lectures and meetings.

Click here to visit the article on the Tatler website.

Mr Michael Gaunt, consultant vascular surgeon, talks about the latest treatments for varicose veins and cosmetic ‘spider’ veins

What function do our veins have?

Veins are the vascular structures which carry blood back towards the heart whilst arteries carry blood away from the heart.

What are varicose veins?

Unattractively deep blue or dark purple, raised, lumpy or twisted in appearance, varicose veins are a common problem affecting at least 20% of the adult population in the UK.
Varicose veins occur when small valves inside the veins stop functioning correctly. Rather than blood flowing effortlessly back towards the heart, the blood stagnates within the veins, causing aching, tiredness and discomfort. People complain of ‘heavy, tired legs and night leg cramps’ which may have an adverse impact on their daily lives.

Varicose vein symptoms

• Aching, tired or heavy feeling in your legs
• Painful throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling in your lower legs
• Worsened pain after sitting or standing for a long time
• Restless legs, especially at night
• Persistent leg itching
• Bleeding from varicose veins
• Ulceration
• Skin discolouration around the ankles

How do they affect us?

At first, problematic veins may not be visible but symptoms can occur. Sometimes patches of blue thread veins may be the earliest signs of an underlying problem. Eventually, the abnormal veins may become swollen, enlarged and varicose. Varicose veins can be unsightly, painful and embarrassing.

In the developing stages, varicose veins and thread veins may be primarily a cosmetic problem. However, if ignored, the condition can deteriorate and a variety of complications can occur such as leg swelling, pigmentation of the skin around the ankles and leg ulcers.

Are varicose veins dangerous?

Occasionally, veins can burst causing bleeding, or the blood within the veins can clot leading to the painful condition of phlebitis or even deep vein thrombosis. People who use air travel for work or holidays may be at increased risk, particularly if those flights are long haul

Do we need invasive surgery to get rid of varicose veins?

You’ll be glad to hear that modern treatments are minimally invasive and may be performed under local anaesthetic as a walk-in, walk-out procedure. Having treated over 4,000 patients using the minimally invasive Endovenous Laser and ClariVein techniques, I am one of the most experienced surgeons in the UK. Both techniques are associated with considerably less pain, bruising and scarring than traditional surgery such as stripping techniques.

Do you actually perform the treatment?

When you book an appointment with me you receive professional, personal treatment from your first consultation to your last. Gaining one to one time with a highly experienced surgeon provides a professional, tailored treatment plan executed with care and skill to meet a patient’s personal needs.

“You can rest assured I aim to combine the highest surgical and academic standards within a kind and relaxed environment, to achieve the best clinical and cosmetic results possible.”

I’m proud to say I am a nationally recognised vascular surgeon with over 28 years’ clinical experience, including 12 years as a consultant surgeon at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge and in private practice in Cambridge, London, Bury St Edmunds and Norwich.

Do you treat many sports patients?

Yes, I do see a lot of sports patients, although initially they may not realise that varicose veins can affect their sporting performance. Veins are responsible for removing the waste products of muscle metabolism, such as lactic acid, out of the legs. When veins are not working properly, waste products are not cleared efficiently, impairing muscle function. Treating varicose veins immediately improves the venous function of the leg, advancing sporting performance and reducing leg fatigue. As a runner myself I know how important it is to keep active, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and supporting good blood flow.

Read case studies >

What causes the ‘spider’ veins we get on our faces?

The main problem is having a susceptible skin-type that copes less well with the wear and tear of everyday life. An outdoor life can exacerbate the problem, as can various skin conditions. Spider veins sadly increase over time and early treatment is advisable. Patients with prominent veins on the nose may be unfairly labelled as “drinkers” and some patients report that this misconception can adversely affect various areas of their life, including work and promotion.

How can you get rid of facial ‘spider veins’

A technique called VeinWave is predominantly used for facial veins and just a few sessions can be transformative. The minimally invasive procedure takes minutes to perform and you will see results almost immediately. Although regarded as a cosmetic problem, patients are always reassured to be treated by an experienced surgeon.

Is there any way to prevent varicose veins?

Unfortunately you can’t do anything to prevent them if you are susceptible. Symptoms can be avoided by not standing still for long periods and by wearing support stockings. The best way to avoid complications from veins is to treat them early and not ignore them.

Read case studies >

Book a consultation with Mr Michael Gaunt or make further enquiries: 01223 305858.

Feeling Good, Looking Good. Happy, healthy legs with Michael Gaunt

Don't neglect your legs! Consultant vascular surgeon Michael Gaunt is no stranger to treating Varicose and Thread Veins that impact on active lifestyles and sporting performance.

There’s no doubt feeling good and looking good certainly go hand in hand. Whether you are keen to maintain intensive aerobic sports or enjoy low impact exercise, such as swimming and yoga, Michael Gaunt can help improve your vascular health and well-being. Exercise is of primary importance to maintain a healthy lifestyle and has beneficial effects on varicose veins supporting good blood flow.

Michael Gaunt specialises in the treatment of varicose, thread and facial spider veins and is one of the most experienced and respected surgeons in the UK. He performs personal and minimally invasive treatment of veins using endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), VNUS Closure and ClariVein. He also performs ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy, microsclerotherapy and VeinWave techniques.

“Many of my sporting patients complain of heavy and tired legs. They’ve often noticed a gradual decline in their performance, taking longer to recover after training”

Varicose veins are not commonly thought of as a condition that can affect sporting performance but they can. Veins are responsible for removing the waste products of muscle metabolism, such as lactic acid, out of the legs. Varicose veins are veins that are not working properly and also impair the function of the normal veins in the legs.

Treating varicose veins immediately improves the venous function of the leg, advancing the clearance of toxic waste products and naturally helps to improve activity.

“I have successfully performed over 4000 minimally invasive techniques with amazing results. People are back on their feet immediately”

Stay Active. Maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle is something we all strive to do yet many of us neglect our varicose veins. The condition can be painful and if untreated can lead to leg swelling, pigmentation of the skin of the lower leg and ulcers. Unsightly varicose veins may affect your confidence and many patients complain of having to cover up during the summer months.

The truth is, even athletes and active people can have varicose and spider veins. There are many variations of varicose veins and it’s always worth getting a personal consultation to access what your treatment options are. Proper assessment is necessary prior to treatment to exclude any underlying conditions.

“Recent advances mean that the underlying causes of varicose and spider veins may be easily identified and the correct personalised treatment plan offered”

“I was surprised at how easy it was to get my varicose veins treated. I made a local appointment and had a personal consultation followed by successful treatment with Michael Gaunt”

Book a mini consultation for just £95.

You will receive Michael Gaunt’s expert opinion and a tailored treatment plan; including information on treatment options available.

Call now to book your no-obligation mini consultation, for just £95, with Michael Gaunt at Harley Street London, BMI Bury St. Edmunds, Spire Norwich, Nuffield Health Cambridge or Spire Lea Cambridge. 01223 305858.

Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital Spring GP Conference 2016

Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital is holding its Spring GP Conference on Saturday 23 April 2016 at the Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford.

The all-day event offers GPs a series of in depth lectures and workshops to support and maintain detailed knowledge and skills through Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

As Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC), that oversees the clinical service and standards at the hospital, Michael Gaunt will be opening the conference and welcoming delegates.

“I‘m looking forward to opening this year’s Spire Cambridge Lea GP Conference at Duxford. It’s a full day of workshops and lectures that offer detailed research from fellow leading experts including myself” Michael Gaunt

Michael Gaunt is dedicated to supporting the event, presenting a lecture on ‘Common medico-legal pitfalls in vascular surgery’ featuring regulatory, compliance, and legal issues regarding independent vascular surgery in the UK.

A notable consultant surgeon, Michael Gaunt is keen to share advances in the development of treatment methods and diagnostic strategies that may help GPs improve identifying early stages of vascular conditions.

“CPD plays a key role in maintaining excellent clinical care and this event offers 150 GPs from around the country the chance to meet with prominent Cambridge surgeons and consultants and to exchange knowledge and experiences from the hospital and community sectors” Michael Gaunt

A rare opportunity for many GPs, the event allows delegates to network and discuss cases. Set within the historic IWM Duxford, Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital’s event combines presentations on pioneering research, treatments, methods and strategies to improve patient care and experiences.

“We passionately believe patients and their GPs should have high quality information to make informed choices when it comes to something as important as their health” - Spire Lea Cambridge Hospital

Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital holds a number of events throughout the year for patients, GPs and the public.

Read more> http://www.spirehealthcare.com/cambridge/events/