The advances being made in the field of vascular surgery are yielding positive results for patients, the Ministry for Health stated on Tuesday.

Minister Jo Etienne Abela spoke at a press conference, during which he said that with the advances being made and the innovations being introduced, personalised procedures are being carried out in vascular surgery which have benefited over 500 patients. He also spoke of the government's vision in healthcare to continue investing in prevention.

Abela said that screening in men who turned 65 has been carried out for the past two and a half years, and that this helps to identify diseases at an early stage, which he said means allows for treatment and for the patient's life to be saved.

Professor Kevin Cassar spoke of the importance of screening for aortic aneurysm. He said that when an early diagnosis is made with ultrasound, a further examination with a CT scan then provides a map of the arteries, which leads to personalised EVAR and TVAR procedures.

Minister Abela continued that in the past, such interventions were performed in a major operation where the abdomen would be opened so that the artery could be replaced. He said that now, due to the advances being made in the health sector, such interventions are now performed with a small incision in the thighs, through which a stent is inserted in order to treat the condition and address the risk of the artery bursting and the person losing their life.

"With the technology and interventions we have, treatment is not only effective but in the vast majority of cases the patient returns home promptly," he commented.

He said that to continue improving the service, the next big step, for which the process has already begun, is to open a specialised operating room in this field, with the most advanced technology. He added that such an operating room would be the first of its kind in the country, and that this would mean that more lives could be saved, and also that the patient would only spend 24 to 48 hours in the hospital, after which they would be able to continue their activities.

The minister concluded by thanking the professionals offering this service, and added that the government is ready to continue investing so that the sector advances.