Advanced Vascular Solutions for Complex Problems

At Western Surgical Group, our vascular surgeons offer cutting-edge minimally invasive procedures to treat peripheral arterial disease, carotid artery disease, and aortic aneurysms. We are Northern Nevada’s leading experts in complex minimally invasive and open surgical therapy.

What makes us different

  • Only practice in Northern Nevada offering all three carotid treatment options — allowing us to choose the best approach for each patient
  • Region’s exclusive provider of complex Fenestrated Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (FEVAR) — performed by surgeons formally trained by world-leading experts
  • Pioneers in TCAR — Dr. Levin was the first surgeon to perform Transcarotid Artery Revascularization in Northern Nevada
  • Leaders in limb salvage — having established limb salvage programs in the community and at local hospitals
  • Starting Fall 2025: Outpatient minimally invasive treatment at Galena Surgical Center — helping patients avoid the hospital altogether, expediting care and lowering costs

Our Specialties

Carotid Artery Disease: Three Options, One Goal

The only doctors in Northern Nevada who offer all three surgical options for carotid artery disease.

There are three surgical options for treating carotid artery disease. At Western Surgical Group, our vascular surgeons are the only doctors in Northern Nevada who offer all three, allowing us to choose the best option for your patient’s needs.

Our Carotid Treatment Options:
  • Carotid Endarterectomy (CEA): The gold standard open surgical approach for removing plaque from the carotid artery.
  • Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR): A revolutionary minimally invasive procedure that has transformed carotid treatment.
  • Carotid Artery Stenting: Minimally invasive alternative for select patients.
Why TCAR is Revolutionary

TCAR revolutionized carotid stenting, cutting stroke rates in half relative to standard carotid stenting — on par with standard carotid endarterectomy.

If your patient has carotid disease and wants to consider a safer minimally invasive option, Western Surgical Group is the clear choice.

Limb Salvage: Preserving Function, Restoring Quality of Life

Western Surgical Group’s vascular surgeons are the region’s leading experts in both open surgical bypass and minimally invasive endovascular procedures to treat PAD and chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).

Expert Care for Peripheral Artery Disease:
  • Advanced endovascular interventions
  • Open surgical bypass when needed
  • Comprehensive wound care coordination
  • Established limb salvage programs in the community and at local hospitals

We’re proud to offer outpatient minimally invasive treatment at Galena Surgical Center, helping patients avoid the hospital altogether while expediting care and lowering costs.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA): The Region’s Most Comprehensive Program

At Western Surgical Group, we offer the full spectrum of aneurysm repair options — from basic procedures to the most complex interventions available anywhere in Northern Nevada.

Our AAA Treatment Options:
  • Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR): Minimally invasive repair for standard abdominal aortic aneurysms.
  • Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (TEVAR): Advanced treatment for aneurysms in the chest.
  • Fenestrated Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (FEVAR): The region’s only program for complex FEVAR, performed by surgeons formally trained by world-leading experts. FEVAR demands the highest level of endovascular skill, available only at Western Surgical Group.

For comprehensive AAA treatment, refer with confidence to Western Surgical Group.

Our Approach to Patient Care

Vascular disease often requires long-term management, especially in patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a history of smoking. Our care extends beyond the operating room, as we coordinate with primary care providers, cardiologists, wound care teams, and dialysis centers to support patients through every stage of treatment and recovery.

Whether you’re being treated for a known condition or just beginning to explore symptoms of vascular disease, our goal is to help you preserve function, avoid complications, and improve your quality of life with expert, compassionate care.

Common signs you may need vascular care

Vascular disease often develops gradually, and its symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for other conditions. Seek evaluation if you experience:

  • Leg pain when walking (claudication) that improves with rest
  • Wounds that won’t heal, especially on feet or legs
  • Cold or numb extremities
  • Swelling in legs or feet
  • Visible varicose veins
  • Changes in skin color or temperature
  • Pain in the neck or whooshing sound in the ears (potential carotid issue)

 

Doctors Specializing in Vascular Surgery

Our vascular surgeons are board-certified and fellowship-trained, offering deep expertise in the management of complex vascular disease. Their experience spans both open surgical procedures and endovascular interventions, and they work closely with cardiologists, nephrologists, and wound care specialists to ensure coordinated, multidisciplinary care.

Diagnoses We Treat

We diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of vascular conditions, including:

Our diagnostic workup may include vascular ultrasound, CT angiography, MR angiography, and ankle-brachial index (ABI) testing. Each diagnosis is approached with an individualized plan tailored to severity, symptoms, and risk factors.

Vascular Surgery Procedures We Perform

We offer a comprehensive range of vascular procedures to treat both arterial and venous conditions. Each procedure is selected based on your diagnosis, anatomy, and overall health to ensure safe, effective, and personalized care.

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  • Peripheral Vascular Disease Procedures

    Minimally invasive endovascular procedures and open surgical bypass for PAD and CLTI

  • Aneurysm Repair

    Comprehensive aneurysm treatment program, from standard EVAR and TEVAR to complex FEVAR.

  • Carotid Artery Procedures

    Three surgical options for carotid artery disease — including revolutionary TCAR, which cuts stroke rates in half.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vascular surgery is a medical specialty focused on treating diseases of the arteries, veins, and lymphatic system — excluding the heart and brain. Our vascular surgeons are experts in both traditional open surgery and advanced minimally invasive endovascular techniques.

Symptoms can include leg pain when walking (claudication), wounds that won't heal, cold or numb extremities, swelling, visible varicose veins, or skin color changes. Some conditions like aneurysms may have no symptoms until they become serious, which is why screening is important for at-risk patients.

Open surgery involves traditional incisions to directly access and repair blood vessels. Endovascular procedures use small access points (usually in the groin or arm) to treat blood vessels from within using catheters, balloons, and stents. Endovascular approaches typically mean less pain, faster recovery, and lower risk — but not all conditions can be treated this way.

Yes — many conditions are treated with medications, lifestyle changes (smoking cessation, exercise, diet), and careful monitoring. Surgery is recommended only when necessary to prevent serious complications or when conservative measures haven't worked.

PAD is a condition where arteries in the legs become narrowed or blocked due to plaque buildup, reducing blood flow and causing pain, difficulty walking, or tissue damage. Left untreated, severe PAD can lead to chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) and potential amputation.

While vascular disease is more common with age, patients of all ages may need vascular care due to trauma, genetic conditions (like connective tissue disorders), dialysis access needs, or complications from other medical conditions.

Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) is a revolutionary minimally invasive procedure that has cut stroke rates in half compared to standard carotid stenting — making it as safe as traditional open surgery while offering faster recovery. Dr. Levin pioneered this technique in Northern Nevada.

Fenestrated Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (FEVAR) is an advanced minimally invasive technique for treating complex aortic aneurysms that involve branch vessels. It requires the highest level of endovascular skill and specialized training. Western Surgical Group is the only practice in Northern Nevada offering FEVAR.

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