Department of General and Abdominal Surgery, Hernia Surgery, Colorectal Surgery - HELIOS University Hospital Wuppertal

About the Department of General and Abdominal Surgery, Hernia Surgery, Colorectal Surgery at HELIOS University Hospital Wuppertal

According to the Focus magazine, the Department of General and Abdominal Surgery, Hernia Surgery, Colorectal Surgery at the HELIOS University Hospital Wuppertal ranks among the top German medical facilities specializing in the surgical treatment of gallbladder and biliary tract pathologies!

The team of the department's surgeons admits patients with benign and malignant gastrointestinal diseases, namely stomach, liver, esophageal, gallbladder and biliary tract, pancreatic, colon and rectal pathologies. The department also carries out treatment for all types of hernias – the medical facility has a quality certificate from the German Hernia Society (DHG). Of particular interest is the resection of malignant tumors of the digestive system. The department's operating rooms have state-of-the-art medical equipment, therefore, in most cases, surgeons can perform interventions without extensive incisions in the skin and soft tissues, but with the use of minimally invasive techniques. Such an approach to surgical treatment greatly facilitates the patient's postoperative recovery process, reduces the risk of complications and excludes severe pain syndrome. The department's surgeons cooperate closely with gastroenterologists, hepatologists, oncologists, radiologists and other doctors from related medical fields. Doctors demonstrate high treatment success rates, use advanced surgical techniques, as well as observe hygiene and safety standards. Patients can be sure that their health is in the safe hands of leading European specialists.

The department is headed by Prof. Dr. med. Hubert Zirngibl. According to the prestigious medical magazine Focus, the specialist ranks among the top German surgeons. He has long successful experience and exceptional professional skills.

The primary focus of abdominal surgeons is on surgical procedures for colon, esophageal, liver, stomach, gallbladder cancers and other gastrointestinal cancers. Such patients are treated in cooperation with gastroenterologists, oncologists, radiation therapists, chemotherapists, radiologists and other doctors of the specialized center for the treatment of a particular type of cancer. Prior to the treatment, doctors cooperatively assess the patient's examination results and develop an optimal treatment regimen based on the stage of cancer, the presence or absence of metastases, concomitant pathologies, the patient's age, etc. As a rule, the first-line therapy is surgical resection of the tumor. The department's surgeons give preference to laparoscopic and endoscopic techniques. Such interventions do not require large incisions in the abdominal wall – several incisions 0,5-1,5 cm long are enough. Surgical instruments and an optical device (laparoscope) are inserted through these incisions for transmitting images of the surgical field to a large screen in multiple zoom. The operation is complemented by conservative treatments – chemotherapy, radiation therapy and targeted therapy. Upon the completion of treatment, the patient is recommended to undergo regular follow-up examinations.

The department has an excellent reputation in hernia repair surgery. The specialists perform operations to repair inguinal, umbilical, femoral, incisional, paracolostomy and diaphragmatic hernias. Hernioplasty (hernia repair surgery) is performed using minimally traumatic surgical techniques, so patients do not need a long hospital stay, and recovery after surgery takes a few days. Hernioplasty involves the use of special meshes for strengthening the weak points of the abdominal wall and preventing the displacement of internal organs beyond its borders. The department is certified by the German Hernia Society (DHG) and works according to current clinical protocols, so patients receive an effective and modern treatment.

The department employs a specially trained team of surgeons who deal with the treatment of rectal, anal and pararectal diseases. The most common pathologies in this field include constipation, anal fissures, anal fistulas, hemorrhoids, fecal incontinence, rectal prolapse, diverticular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, as well as anal and colorectal cancer. The treatment involves the use of conservative methods and minimally invasive surgical interventions. Each patient benefits from an individual treatment regimen with an optimal set of therapeutic procedures.

The department's range of medical services includes:

• Surgical treatment of gastrointestinal cancers
  • Colon cancer
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Liver cancer
  • Stomach cancer
  • Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
• Surgical treatment of hernias
  • Inguinal hernia
  • Umbilical hernia
  • Femoral hernia
  • Incisional hernia
  • Paracolostomy hernia
  • Diaphragmatic hernia
• Surgical treatment of proctological diseases
  • Haemorrhoids
  • Constipation
  • Anal fissures
  • Anal fistulas
  • Fecal incontinence
  • Rectal prolapse
  • Diverticular disease
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Anal cancer
  • Colorectal cancer
• Surgical treatment of other diseases