The Broad Spectrum of Surgery in Munich

One of the pioneers of modern surgery came from Munich. Johann Nepomuk Ritter von Nußbaum (1829-1890) performed almost 25,000 surgical operations during his lifetime, including those in the field of orthopaedic surgery. He was already practising gastric surgery, neurosurgery, carcinoma operations and bone transplants. He carried out blood transfusions too, but above all he introduced the concept of antiseptic treatment for wounds. His “operative hygiene” and many of his revolutionary operating techniques were adopted world wide.

Since then, medicine and medical technology have made progress in leaps and bounds. Munich nevertheless remains a centre of innovation in medicine. Numerous surgical centres, out-patient clinics and qualified surgical practitioners are active in the following fields of surgery:

• General surgery (e.g. minimal-invasive gastro-intestinal, gall bladder, rupture and thyroid surgery)
• Visceral surgery (e.g. to correct malformation of internal organs)
• Accident surgery
• Neurosurgery (e.g. brain tumours, pain surgery, epilepsy surgery, craniocerebral injuries)
• Hand- and foot surgery (e.g. congenital malformation, rheumatism)
• Cardiac surgery
• Transplantation surgery (incl. heart, kidney, lung, liver and pancreas)
• Craniofacial surgery (e.g. cheilognathouranoschisis [cleft lip face palate])
• Vascular surgery (including treatment of carotid stenosis, pelvic arteriostenosis, aorta, circulatory disorders of the legs, treatment of chronic wounds, stent implantations, lysis procedures).
• Breast surgery ( e.g. breast retaining or breast removing tumour operations, Reconstruction with endogenous tissue or implants)
• Plastic (+ plastic-aesthetic) surgery
• Anal and rectal surgery (incl. disorders of the rectum and anus, faecal incontinence, sphincter muscle replacement procedures, rectal carcinoma, rectum replacement, coloproctology etc.)
• Re-constructive microsurgery (incl. treatment of burns, re-implantation of severed limbs)

The use of the latest surgical techniques such as minimal invasive surgical procedures (so-called keyhole surgery) involving highly-specialized equipment is an indispensable part of modern surgery. In addition to better cosmetic results, the advantages of this technique are more comfort for the patient and faster post-operative recovery and return to work and normal life. The safety and quality of these surgical methods are at least equal to those of “conventional” surgical methods and in some fields they are even superior, such as in arthroscopic surgery of the knee, for instance, or of the spine, as well as in laser surgery.

Prior to any surgical intervention it is important to make the correct diagnosis. In addition to the standard options, clinics in Munich also offer the following diagnostic procedures:

• Colour-coded ultrasonic investigation of the vascular system
• Angiography
• CT angiography
• NMR-angiography
• PET (positron emission computer-assisted tomography)

The range of surgical services offered is complemented by gentle anaesthetic procedures and modern intensive care medicine. Surgery is always synonymous with teamwork in a high-tech environment. Treatment teams comprising surgeons, vascular surgeons, diagnostic specialists and nurses with many years of experience work together with anaesthetists and intensive care professionals, radiographers, angiologists, cardiologists and laboratory analysts to guarantee comprehensive expertise and care in all treatment procedures.

Emergency medical care by specialists is ensured “round-the-clock”. Diverse dietary needs, such as for diabetics, are naturally catered for and there are special menus for patients of Muslim faith.