Shane MacSweeney: Consultant Vascular Surgeon, Nottingham

Specialist in varicose veins, abdominal aortic aneurysms, and stroke prevention.

Shane MacSweeney, MA MB BChir MChir (Cantab) MMedSci (Clin Ed) FRCS (Eng), is an experienced specialist full time vascular surgeon offering the latest treatments for varicose veins, abdominal aortic aneurysms, and stroke prevention.

Mr MacSweeney qualified in 1984 from Cambridge University and trained as a Vascular Surgeon in London and Australia. He has been a Consultant Vascular Surgeon based at the Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham since 1995, treating a wide variety of vascular problems including:

Varicose veins and other venous problems
Abdominal aortic aneurysms
Diseased blood vessels taking blood to the brain (carotid surgery) for the prevention of stroke
Leg ulcers
Poor blood supply to the legs
Excessive sweating and or facial flushing

Varicose vein treatment video

Are you interested in getting varicose vein treatment?

Vascular surgeon Shane MacSweeney was recently featured on BBC TV discussing varicose vein surgery.

The varicose vein video is featured on the Private Healthcare website.

View the video

Membership of professional associations

Mr MacSweeney has an interest in training and education and teaches on training courses for vascular surgeons around the country and in Europe. He was recently Vascular Tutor for the Royal College of Surgeons and the Vascular Society and has a Masters degree in Clinical Education. He is active in research, particularly in investigating how to prevent strokes more effectively, and key hole surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm.

He trained with Michael Lawrence Brown one of the pioneers of endovascular aneurysm surgery in Australia and performed the first operations in the UK with his method in 1996. The Zenith endovascular stent graft is now one of the most widely used methods for key hole repair of aneurysms in the world.

He also performed the first minimally invasive catheter varicose vein operation in Nottingham (VNUS radiofrequency ablation), and introduced carotid surgery under local anaesthetic to Nottingham. He has taught and trained surgeons on the technique of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy to treat excessive sweating of the hands and facial flushing.

Mr MacSweeney also provides expert medico-legal reports for solicitors and has recently been featured on a video on BBC news regarding a new keyhole technique to remove varicose veins.

Clinical and research interests

Minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins, keyhole repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), carotid surgery under local anaesthetic. Research into stroke prevention and the causes and keyhole repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Publications

Mr MacSweeney has contributed to over 50 publications in journals and books. Some recent ones include:

The Importance of Anatomical Suitability and Fitness for the Outcome of Endovascular Repair of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.
Richards T, Goode SD, Hinchliffe R, Altaf N, Macsweeney S, Braithwaite B.
Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2009 Jul 1.
Suitability of Varicose Veins for Endovenous Treatments.
Goode SD, Kuhan G, Altaf N, Simpson R, Beech A, Richards T, Macsweeney ST, Braithwaite BD.
Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2009 Jun 18.
Pial vasodilation and moderate hyperaemia following carotid endarterectomy: new MRI diagnostic signs in hyperperfusion/reperfusion syndrome?
Thurley PD, Altaf N, Dineen R, MacSweeney S, Auer DP.
Neuroradiology. 2009 Jun;51(6):427-8
A prospective evaluation of the outcome after small saphenous varicose vein surgery with one-year follow-up.
O’Hare JL, Vandenbroeck CP, Whitman B, Campbell B, Heather BP, Earnshaw JJ; Joint Vascular Research Group.
J Vasc Surg. 2008 Sep;48(3):669-73; discussion 674.
Brain white matter hyperintensities are associated with carotid intraplaque hemorrhage.
Altaf N, Morgan PS, Moody A, MacSweeney ST, Gladman JR, Auer DP.
Radiology. 2008 Jul;248(1):202-9.

Treatments available

A full range of treatments for varicose veins, including the latest less invasive treatments, such as VNUS, laser (EVLT), foam sclerotherapy
Thread veins
Leg ulcers
Carotid surgery for the prevention of stroke (carotid endarterectomy)
Endovascular (EVAR) and open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
Intermittent claudication (pain in the leg muscles on walking)
Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
Facial flushing (excessive blushing)