Vascularized lymph node transfer surgery in lymphoedema in PAN Clinic Cologne

About the department

The Department of Angiology and Vascular Surgery at the PAN Clinic Cologne offers the full range of medical services in the areas of its competence. The department provides diagnostic examinations of the vascular system, as well as conservative and surgical treatment. The patients can also undergo a preventive diagnostic examination to assess the risk of developing vascular pathologies. The department's specialists have vast experience in both classical open and minimally invasive interventions on the arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels. Whenever possible, sparing interventions are used as the first-line treatment, while open surgery is performed only in extremely complex clinical cases. The department's diagnostic facilities and operating rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art devices, so patients can be sure of the high quality and safety of all procedures. The health and well-being of each patient is the main priority for the doctors working in the medical facility, while the basis of clinical practice is an individual approach. The Chief Physician of the department is Dr. med. Stefan Schulte.

The first stage of the therapeutic process is an individual consultation with the attending physician, during which the specialist listens to the patient's complaints and accurately studies his medical history. Based on the clinical data obtained, the patient will be appointed the required complex of diagnostic tests. The main diagnostic method for most vascular diseases is ultrasound scanning, including high-resolution color duplex ultrasonography. The department also provides such diagnostic procedures as light reflection rheography, plethysmography, microcirculation assessment, ankle-brachial index test, etc. All diagnostic procedures are absolutely painless and safe for the patients.

When the diagnosis is made, the doctors elaborate an individual treatment regimen for the patient. Whenever possible, the doctors provide conservative treatment with the help of drugs and lifestyle modifications (refusal of high-fat foods, bad habits, etc.). Nevertheless, many vascular diseases are asymptomatic for a long time and with the onset of the first symptoms conservative methods are already ineffective. In such cases, the specialists of the medical facility prefer sparing minimally invasive operations. Classic open surgery is the last-line therapy when all other methods do not ensure the desired result. Minimally invasive surgical procedures are performed through small skin incisions in the area of ​​the affected vessel. As a rule, such surgical procedures are performed on an inpatient basis under local anesthesia. In most cases, the patient can leave the clinic after 24 hours. Open surgery is performed under general anesthesia, while the period of hospitalization lasts 3-7 days. The department's surgeons also successfully combine minimally invasive and open surgical techniques (hybrid operations).

A special offer of the department is check-up programs to assess the risks of developing vascular pathologies. Since pathological vascular lesions are precursors of such life-threatening diseases as myocardial infarction, stroke, kidney failure, etc., their early detection and treatment avoids irreversible consequences. As a rule, the check-up program includes the study of the patient's medical history, clinical examination, ankle-brachial index test, high-resolution color duplex ultrasonography of the carotid arteries, abdominal aorta, pelvic arteries and arteries of the lower limbs, as well as laboratory tests and venous examinations (if clinically indicated). The check-up programs are intended primarily for the patients with atherosclerosis, stroke and myocardial infarction, circulatory disorders in the family history. In addition, preventive diagnostic examinations are indicated for the patients with arterial hypertension, high blood cholesterol levels, coronary artery disease and/or heart failure, as well as for people suffering from diabetes mellitus and smokers. After receiving the diagnostic results, the specialized doctor holds an individual consultation, during which he discusses them with the patient and, if necessary, recommends further therapeutic measures.

The department specializes in the diagnostics and treatment of the following diseases:

• Varicose veins
• Spider veins
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Carotid artery stenosis
• Aneurysms
• Vascular malformations
• Other vascular pathologies

The department's range of diagnostic and therapeutic services includes:

• Diagnostics
  • Ultrasound examinations, including high-resolution color duplex ultrasonography
  • Light reflection rheography
  • Plethysmography (in case of suspected pulmonary vein occlusion)
  • Microcirculation assessment
  • Ankle-brachial index test
• Treatment
  • Conservative treatment
    • Drug therapy
    • Infusion therapy for circulatory disorders
  • Surgical treatment
    • Minimally invasive surgery
      • Balloon angioplasty
      • Stent implantation
      • Stent graft implantation for abdominal aortic aneurysms
      • Laser procedures and radio wave therapy for varicose vein treatment
      • Sclerotherapy, microsclerotherapy, foam sclerotherapy and stripping for varicose vein treatment
      • Placement of port systems and formation of dialysis access
    • Open surgery
      • Carotid endarterectomy
      • Implantation of prostheses for abdominal aortic aneurysms (tubular prosthesis, Y-prosthesis), as well as for aneurysms or occlusions of other blood vessels
      • Bypass grafting (using the patient's own veins or prostheses)
• Other medical services