Dr Duncan Anderson is one of Melomed’s Specialist General and Vascular Surgeons. First graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Cape Town in 1996, he went on to complete a Fellowship of the College of Surgeons of South Africa in 2005, and finally a qualification in Vascular Surgery in 2007. Having many years of experience to his credit, Dr Anderson is highly trained and skilled in this specialised area of healthcare.

Vascular surgeons diagnose, treat, and help patients to manage their conditions, specifically those related to their veins and arteries, which are blood vessels. Individuals who require the assistance of a vascular surgeon are those experiencing problems with their circulation, including issues related to leg pain, ulcerations on their lower extremities, aortic aneurysms, blockages in their carotid arteries, stroke, or venous disorders such as deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, and venous insufficiency.

In addition to being a vascular surgeon, Dr Anderson is also a general surgeon. He is therefore well equipped to care for patients presenting with general surgical complaints, treating a wide range of health problems, from appendicitis to aneurysms. He can assist patients in managing their chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Dr Anderson aims to offer patients the best, non-invasive, cutting edge treatments and health maintenance strategies that will ensure that they receive an exceptionally high standard of care. His ethos and personal approach to healthcare are evident in his article in issue 10 of Melomag, where he stated that “Successful treatment of complex vascular patients is only achievable with the addition of best medical therapy. Therefore, all vascular risk factors must be controlled, and the patient should be taking antiplatelet and a lipid-lowering agent. This realisation has moved the vascular surgeon away from the stance of the traditional surgeon and more towards that of a physician with a holistic approach to patient management. The patient now has the choice of a wider range of therapies, including open surgery and endovascular surgery, depending on the specific disease profile of the patient being treated.”

Due to the intricacies and fragility of the body’s vasculature, the research and advancements in technology and techniques surrounding its treatment, vascular surgery is presently one of the most exciting and innovative fields of modern medicine. Dr Anderson has a keen interest in these advancements, including low-risk, endovascular treatments, which allows him to successfully treat patients previously considered too ill to operate on or help. Dr Anderson has been featured multiple times in the press for his pioneering and outstanding work.