Range of minimally invasive abdominal surgery:

• Disorders of the large and small intestine (e. g.: intestinal tumors, diverticulitis, appendicitis)
• Reflux (hiatal hernia)
• Gallstones (cholecystolithiasis), gallbladder polyps, gallbladder inflammation
• Abdominal wall hernia
• Inguinal hernia
• Umbilical hernia
• Appendicitis

Conventional surgery:

• Colorectal tumor surgery (for adhesions)
• Hemorrhoid surgery and other proctologic procedures
• Open hernia repair for incisional hernias (after previous major surgery)
• Umbilical hernia: primary hernial orifice closure or mesh implantation
• Inguinal hernia surgery
• Breast surgery: Removal of benign and malignant tumors
• Pilonidal sinus: Flap reconstruction
• Carpal tunnel syndrome: open surgery under local or plexus anesthesia
• Treatment of varicose veins and spider veins: Radiofrequency ablation, foam sclerotherapy, surgical removal
• Port-a-cath implantation

Specialties:

• Minimally invasive colorectal surgery (tumor surgery, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
• Reduced-port surgery (minimally invasive surgery with as few and small incisions as possible)
• SILS (Single-incision laparoscopic surgery): Surgery is performed only via umbilical access, e. g. appendectomy and gallbladder removal, inguinal hernia repair
• TAPP (transabdominal preperitoneal plasty): endoscopic inguinal hernia repair with a plastic mesh
• IPOM (intraperitoneal onlay mesh): minimally invasive surgical procedure to correct abdominal wall hernias with plastic meshes
• Laparoscopic fundoplication: in the case of reflux disease, the gastric fundus is placed as a sleeve around the stomach entrance and fixed with sutures

Outpatient procedures:

• Emmert plasty: the ingrown toenail is removed by nail wedge excision
• Removal of benign and malignant dermal and subcutaneous lesions (e. g. removal of moles, lipomas and atheroma extirpation)
• Scar corrections
• Wound care using a VAC (Vacuum Assisted Closure) system

Endoscopy:

• Colonoscopy: Colonoscopy for detailed examination of the colon and terminal ileum, as well as for polyp removal
• Rectoscopy: Rectal examination e. g. before hemorrhoidal surgery
• Gastroscopy: Endoscopy of the stomach for assessment of upper abdominal complaints
• Manometry

Evangelisches Krankenhaus offers interdisciplinary treatment (i.e. treatment involving experts from various fields) for vascular disorders. The hospital offers the entire range of diagnostics and treatment for vascular disorders under one roof, from stents to bypasses, from the treatment of “open legs” to laser therapy for varicose veins.

The vascular surgery team collaborates closely with the specialists in internal medicine to offer the optimum solution for every degree of illness.

(Surgical) treatment of the thyroid gland may be necessary for a variety of reasons:

• Goiter (struma)
• Hot nodule (active nodule, autonomy)
• Cold nodule (non-active nodule)
• Hyperactivity (Graves’ disease)
• Inflammation with hormone disorder (Hashimoto)
• Thyroid cancer

Diagnostics:

• Cold nodules are suspected to be cancerous until they are confirmed to be harmless by surgery and tissue examination (frozen section).
• If thyroid cancer is detected, both thyroid lobes and regional lymph nodules are removed (thyroidectomy and central neck dissection). The prognosis after correct treatment is very good.
• In the case of toxic adenomas (hot nodules) and nodular goiter, depending on the location, either the entire thyroid gland is removed (thyroidectomy), or only the affected lobe is (hemithyroidectomy). Depending on the findings, it may also be necessary to remove lymph nodules. Partial removal is advisable only in exceptional cases due to high recurrence rates.

As part of a preoperative outpatient visit, all necessary examinations are carried out, including blood tests, ultrasound and, if necessary,  scintigraphy. Thyroid surgery is performed using state-of-the-art instruments, such as special ultrasound scalpels, electrical sealing instruments, and a measuring device to check the function of the vocal cord nerves. This enables precise work, minimizes blood loss, and protects the vocal cord nerves. Drains are not necessary; the hospitalization usually lasts two to three days.

Another focus of the department is the treatment of disorders of the parathyroid gland. During the surgery, the parathyroid hormone levels are measured in real time to ensure the success of the operation during the procedure.