Department of Vascular Surgery - Hospital Schwabing Munich

About the Department of Vascular Surgery at Hospital Schwabing Munich

The Department of Vascular Surgery at the Hospital Schwabing Munich offers all the options of modern medicine for the treatment of vascular diseases. The department specializes in the surgical treatment of vascular pathologies, performing both minimally invasive operations and hybrid interventions, which combine open and catheter-assisted surgical techniques. The department has an excellent medical and technical base, therefore it provides high-precision diagnostics and effective treatment of vascular diseases of any severity. The department's medical team most often admits patients with aortic aneurysms, carotid artery stenosis, occlusive peripheral arterial disease, diabetic foot syndrome and chronic non-healing wounds, as well as varicose veins. The specialists from related medical fields are often involved in the therapeutic process – cardiac surgeons, neurologists, angiologists, cardiologists, radiologists and neuroradiologists. An interdisciplinary approach allows the doctors to achieve the best treatment results. The department's doctors devote enough time to communication with their patients in order to be able to meet their individual needs and wishes as much as possible.

The department is headed by Prof. Dr. med. Andreas Maier-Hasselmann. The specialist has long successful clinical experience, and is also a co-author of the recommendations of the German Society for Angiology for the treatment of occlusive peripheral arterial disease and diabetic foot syndrome.

One of the most common and dangerous vascular pathologies is aortic aneurysm, which, due to the absence of particular symptoms, in most cases is diagnosed accidentally. If untreated, an aneurysm rupture is life-threatening, since it causes a severe haemorrhage. Thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms are most common in the department's clinical practice. The Chief Physician of the department, Prof. Andreas Maier-Hasselmann, has over 30 years of experience in the treatment of aneurysms, so the patients can be sure that they trust their health to a highly qualified professional. To provide the surgical treatment of aortic aneurysm, the medical specialists use sparing surgical techniques, which allow the patient to avoid classical open intervention. In some cases, hybrid surgery may be required. The main treatment for aneurysms is the implantation of special stents. Prior to the operation, the doctors carry out 3D planning, while all the surgical procedures during the operation itself are performed under X-ray guidance. The department's team of surgeons also performs emergency surgical procedures for the patients with ruptured aneurysms. The period of hospitalization after surgery is 4-5 days, and a few weeks after the treatment the patient will fully recover and can return to his usual lifestyle.

The treatment of carotid stenosis is also of particular interest to the department's medical team. The pathology is dangerous, since it significantly increases the risk of stroke, which in many cases can cause irreversible neurological damages or lead to death. To make a diagnosis, the department's specialists use color duplex scanning. The examination is absolutely safe and allows the doctors to accurately determine the degree of narrowing of the carotid arteries. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the patient's clinical case is considered at an interdisciplinary board with the participation of vascular surgeons, neurologists, angiologists, cardiologists, radiologists and neuroradiologists. The specialists cooperatively decide on the optimal type of therapy. If surgical treatment is required, the patient will undergo carotid endarterectomy. When performing this operation, the surgeon opens the artery and removes atherosclerotic plaques. The operation can be performed both under general and local anesthesia. During the intervention, the specialists use progressive monitoring systems to control the indicators of vital bodily functions, which guarantees the maximum safety of the operation.

The department's service range is complemented by the treatment of lower extremity peripheral artery disease, which causes serious circulatory disorders, provoking pain and limited mobility. To restore the patency of peripheral arteries, the department performs minimally invasive catheter-assisted interventions, hybrid operations and bypass grafting.

The department's key clinical focuses include:

• Surgical treatment of aortic aneurysms (special attention is paid to the treatment of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms)
  • Minimally invasive surgery
  • Hybrid surgical procedures
  • Emergency surgery for aortic rupture
• Surgical treatment of carotid artery stenosis
  • Carotid endarterectomy
• Surgical treatment of lower extremity peripheral artery disease
  • Minimally invasive balloon dilation and stent implantation
  • Hybrid operations
  • Bypass grafting
• Surgical treatment of varicose veins
  • Stripping
• Surgical treatment of diabetic foot syndrome and chronic non-healing wounds
• Other medical services