Cáceres, Spain – After a six-and-a-half-year suspension of vascular surgery services in the city, the Hospital Universitario de Cáceres is progressively rebuilding the department, offering a renewed sense of hope to hundreds of patients previously forced to travel for care. The reactivation, which began with outpatient consultations in November, is slated to include minor surgical procedures in April, marking a significant step towards restoring full service capacity. This development follows years of advocacy from a citizen platform demanding the reinstatement of this critical medical specialty.
Vascular surgery focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the circulatory system – arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels. Conditions treated include varicose veins, aneurysms, diabetic foot, and carotid artery disease, utilizing both traditional open surgery and minimally invasive endovascular techniques to restore blood flow. The prolonged absence of this service locally placed a considerable burden on patients requiring specialized vascular care, necessitating travel to Badajoz for treatment.
The citizen platform advocating for the service’s return, represented by Federico Gómez and Francisco Moreno, has expressed cautious optimism about the progress. While acknowledging the resumption of consultations and the planned April start for ambulatory surgeries as “an advance,” they emphasize that the ultimate goal remains a complete restoration of the vascular surgery department. Approximately 400 patients have been seen since the partial reactivation began, with the service expanding from initial consultations on Tuesdays and Thursdays to now offering coverage every weekday with a team of three doctors.
The initial phase of the service’s return has seen a gradual increase in activity. The hospital now has three professionals dedicated to vascular care, with doctors rotating from Cáceres and Badajoz to provide coverage throughout the week. The regional health authority, the Consejería de Salud, highlights the full-week operation as a positive development, but advocates insist that the focus must now shift to re-establishing comprehensive surgical capabilities, including major hospital surgery.
Demand for Full Service Restoration
Advocates stress the importance of returning all surgical interventions to Cáceres, citing the saturation of the Badajoz facility, which currently handles a large volume of patients. While specific figures regarding the number of patients awaiting treatment remain unconfirmed by the regional health service (SES), concerns have been raised about the reliance on emergency surgeries in Badajoz – reportedly accounting for 90% of cases – and the associated risks, including a reported 60% mortality rate for aneurysm repairs. The platform intends to serve as an oversight body for the service once it is fully operational, ensuring accountability and quality of care.
The suspension of surgical interventions in Cáceres dates back to July 2019, reportedly stemming from disagreements among the medical staff at the time. Since then, the citizen platform has engaged in sustained advocacy efforts, including public demonstrations and meetings with regional authorities, to push for the service’s reinstatement. The partial reactivation, beginning with outpatient consultations on November 20, 2025, primarily served elderly patients who had been traveling to Badajoz for ongoing care.
The platform acknowledges the efforts of the Servicio Extremeño de Salud (SES) and welcomes the progress made towards fulfilling commitments. However, they remain vigilant, determined to ensure that the reopening of the vascular surgery service in Cáceres is not merely a partial solution but a fully functional department capable of meeting the needs of the local population.
The next key milestone is the resumption of ambulatory surgeries in April. Looking ahead, the focus will be on securing the resources and personnel necessary to reinstate major hospital surgery, addressing the backlog of patients and ensuring equitable access to vascular care for the residents of Cáceres and the surrounding region.
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Disclaimer: This article provides informational content about medical services and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.