Vigevano hospital to lose elective vascular surgery authorization

The Lombardy Region has announced a reorganization of vascular surgery services that will impact the Vigevano Civil Hospital. Starting January 1, 2027, the department will no longer be permitted to perform elective surgeries for abdominal aortic aneurysms.

The decision follows a regional policy to concentrate aortic surgery in centers with higher caseloads to improve patient safety and reduce mortality rates. Under the new model, the number of authorized facilities in Lombardy for non-ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm interventions will be reduced from 43 to 23.

Despite a rising trend in cases at Vigevano—increasing from 19 interventions in 2023 to 18 already performed this year—the hospital does not meet the regional minimum threshold of 30 interventions per year. Vigevano Mayor Paolo Previde Massara expressed concern that the loss of these procedures could hinder the professional development of younger doctors and impact the management of acute patient transfers.