University Hospital Saarland Homburg - Departments

The Department of Nuclear Medicine offers patients the full range of modern methods of diagnostics and treatment using radioactive isotopes. The department actively carries out the very latest radioisotope tests, such as scintigraphy, PET/CT scans, and SPECT/CT scans. These procedures allow doctors to assess the metabolic processes in the body, due to which many pathologies are detected in their early stages, which significantly increases the chances of their successful cure. As for the treatment, of particular interest is the treatment of thyroid diseases and oncological pathologies. The department's doctors successfully carry out radioiodine therapy, radiosynoviorthesis, selective internal radiation therapy, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, Xofigo (Ra-223) therapy, and other therapeutic procedures. Treatment with radiopharmaceuticals is highly effective and practically does not cause any side effects. The department is certified by the German Cancer Society to treat many types of cancer. The department is the largest medical facility of this kind in Southwest Germany and offers patients top-class medical services.

The Department of Adult and Pediatric Gynecology, Mammology, Obstetrics, Reproductive Medicine provides the full range of services in these fields at the highest level of modern medicine. The department's main clinical activities include the treatment of female reproductive system cancers and breast cancer, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic organ prolapse, and urinary incontinence. The department admits girls and young women with gynecological problems, including delayed puberty, menstrual irregularities, and recurrent genital infections. The department's doctors have a special competence in the correction of congenital anomalies in the development of the female reproductive system. The team of obstetricians at the medical facility provides pregnancy management, childbirth, and postpartum care for mother and child. The department also offers modern options for treating female infertility. With 94 beds, high-tech operating rooms and treatment rooms, modern delivery rooms, and specialized outpatient clinics, the department has the status of one of the largest and most competent medical facilities of this kind in Germany.

The Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy offers treatment of the full range of disorders in this field. The diagnosis and treatment of all mental illnesses in children and adolescents under the age of 18, as well as developmental disorders, is one of the areas of specialization of the department.

The Department of Oncology, Hematology, Bone Marrow Transplant and Rheumatology provides the full range of services in the areas of its competence. The team of doctors at the medical facility specializes in the diagnostics and treatment of malignant hematopoietic diseases, solid malignant tumors of various localizations, and rheumatic diseases. All modern types of treatment are available in the department, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. The department's specialists successfully use cell therapy, including autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplants and CAR T-cell therapy. An autologous bone marrow transplant has been performed in the department since 1991, and the first allogeneic transplant took place here in 1992. Thus, the experience in this area is quite extensive, and the treatment outcomes are at the highest level. Today, the department performs more than 80 autologous and about 40 allogeneic bone marrow transplants annually. CAR T-cell therapy is the most innovative form of immunotherapy and is available only in a few medical facilities in Europe. The treatment of rheumatic diseases in the department is based on the use of the latest medications.

The Department of Cardiology and Angiology offers all the options of modern medicine for the diagnostics and treatment of heart conditions and vascular diseases. The department's therapeutic options include conservative treatment with the use of modern drugs, interventional treatment within four high-tech cardiac catheterization laboratories, and effective intensive care. The department's cardiologists annually perform more than 5,000 cardiac catheterization procedures, which are a modern alternative to a traumatic operation with a thoracotomy. The most requested catheter-based interventions include TAVI and MitraClip for treating aortic and mitral valve defects, atrial appendage closure, pacemaker and defibrillator placement to treat heart arrhythmias, and catheter ablation. The department also performs urgent interventional procedures on the heart. Doctors specializing in angiology diagnose and treat patients suffering from occlusive peripheral arterial disease, deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, and other pathologies. Patients are treated in collaboration with vascular surgeons and specialists in interventional radiology. The department also has 80 beds for hospital stays.

The Department of Adult and Pediatric Ophthalmology provides the full range of modern diagnostics and treatment for eye diseases. Of particular interest is the treatment of cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, retinal detachment, retinopathy, and refractive errors, including myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia, and strabismus. The department admits young patients under the age of 16. Children can undergo eye exams, including vision screening for premature babies and treatment of various pathologies. As a maximum care medical facility, the department has a modern infrastructure for providing highly effective medical care, namely operating rooms with state-of-the-art equipment, laser therapy rooms, a specialized outpatient clinic for neuro-ophthalmic diseases and visual impairment in children, and an Intravitreal Injection Therapy Center. A feature of the department is the presence of the in-house LIONS Cornea Bank, which is responsible for corneal removal, cultivation, and transplant. The Cornea Bank was opened in 2020 and is currently one of the leading medical facilities of this kind in Europe. In 2021, the specialists performed 676 corneal transplant procedures. The department's ophthalmologists thus have everything necessary to restore the vision of their patients.

The Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy performs many tasks. One of the main activities of the department is pain therapy. It provides an optimal treatment of acute and chronic pain syndromes. In the field of intensive care medicine, the department specializes in the treatment of polytrauma, traumatic brain injury, sepsis, pulmonary, hepatic and renal insufficiency, as well as multiple organ failure. The service range is complemented by outpatient premedication.

The Department of Radiation Therapy provides patients with the full range of services in this medical field. The primary focus of the department's clinical practice is the conduction of modern types of radiation therapy for treating malignant diseases. The department's specialists also successfully carry out combination treatments, such as radioimmunotherapy and chemoradiotherapy. The department is part of the Cancer Center at the University Hospital Saarland Homburg, which allows radiation therapists to cooperate closely with oncologists, surgeons, and other specialists, providing comprehensive cancer treatment. The department's team of doctors also treats patients with some benign inflammatory diseases. The department's patients most often receive outpatient medical care. There are 24 beds available to accommodate patients in the department. The pride of the department is the advanced technical equipment that allows the specialists to perform high-precision and efficient irradiation. The treatment takes place in a modern building, in the design of which great importance was attached to creating a comfortable environment for the patient. The department admits more than 1,500 patients who receive high-quality European-level treatment every year.

The Department of Adult and Pediatric Otolaryngology, Facial Plastic Surgery offers the full range of services in these areas, using the very latest achievements in university medicine. The focus of the department's team of doctors is on patients with diseases of the ear, throat, and nose, benign and malignant head and neck tumors, as well as balance disorders. The department successfully performs plastic surgery for patients with appearance defects in the face and neck, such as otoplasty, septorhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, and reconstructive plastic surgery after head and neck tumor resection. The specialists of the medical facility are deservedly proud of their professional skills in cochlear implantation in adults and children. The department's successful clinical activities are recognized by many quality certificates, including the ISO 9001:2015 certification, a certificate from the German Society for Skull Base Surgery, and a certificate from the German Society for Ultrasound in Medicine. It is important for the department's doctors to provide each patient with the most effective but, at the same time, sparing treatment, taking into account their individual needs and wishes.

The Department of Adult and Pediatric Traumatology, Hand Surgery offers the full range of medical services in the areas of its specialization. The department diagnoses and treats adults and young patients with musculoskeletal injuries of any severity and polytrauma. The doctors at the medical facility also provide high-quality medical care to patients with complications from injuries. The department is deservedly proud of its success in treating hand injuries and diseases. More than 1,500 hand surgical procedures are performed here annually on an outpatient and inpatient basis. The department's doctors cooperate closely with orthopedists, surgeons, radiologists, and other specialists to provide patients with effective treatment results, taking into account their individual needs and wishes. The department is certified as a supraregional Trauma Center by the German Trauma Society (DGU) and has a quality certificate from the German Society for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery (DGOU).

The Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Spinal Surgery offers the full range of services in the surgical treatment of diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system. Of particular interest is the treatment of brain and spinal cord tumors, spinal surgery for herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and degenerative changes in the spine, as well as interventions for neurovascular diseases and hydrocephalus. The doctors have exceptional experience in the surgical treatment of brain tumors, hydrocephalus, craniostenosis, and spina bifida in children. In addition, the department's neurosurgeons brilliantly perform stereotaxic operations on the brain. The department has 69 beds and 4 state-of-the-art operating rooms, including a stereotactic operating room for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. A competent team of surgeons provides treatment in accordance with the standards and recommendations of the professional societies. The department's neurosurgeons annually admit more than 3,100 inpatients and more than 7,000 outpatients. The specialists not only highly effectively treat diseases of any severity but also make sure that the operation is as sparing and safe as possible.

The Department of Adult and Pediatric Urology, Andrology provides the full range of services in the fields of its competence, meeting the high standards of modern university medicine. The department specializes in the diagnostics and treatment of diseases of the kidneys, adrenal glands, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The medical facility also successfully treats diseases of the prostate gland, testicles, penis, male infertility, and erectile dysfunction. In addition, the department's doctors admit children with congenital and acquired diseases of the urinary system, as well as boys with congenital malformations of the reproductive system. A unique feature of the department is an advanced Center for da Vinci Robotic Surgery, which performs many effective minimally invasive interventions for prostate gland, bladder, and kidney cancer. Since 2006, when the center first opened its doors to its patients, the specialists have performed a total of more than 7,000 robot-assisted surgical procedures, including more than 5,000 prostatectomies, about 260 cystectomies, and more than 1,500 nephrectomies. Since 2016, the center's surgeons have also performed 23 kidney transplants with the da Vinci surgical system.

The Department of Interventional Neuroradiology offers the full range of services in the areas of ​its ​specialization. The medical facility provides imaging diagnostics and low-traumatic image-guided interventional treatment of nervous system diseases. The department's specialists have rich experience and exceptional professional skills in the field of interventional procedures for acute and chronic vascular diseases, such as ischemic strokes, brain hemorrhages, cerebral artery stenosis, brain aneurysms, and vascular malformations. The department's neuroradiologists cooperate closely with neurologists and neurosurgeons so that each patient receives an optimal treatment regimen based on the expert opinions of the specialists. The department's medical team has state-of-the-art computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and MR angiography systems that are actively used for diagnosing patients and therapeutic procedures. Medical care is provided in compliance with current clinical protocols. The department also offers many outpatient medical services, which is an advantage for many patients.

The Hemophilia Center offers the full range of services in its area of ​​specialization. The key focus of the center's clinical practice is hemophilia treatment. The center has the status of one of the few highly specialized medical facilities of this kind in all of Europe, where doctors have invaluable experience in the treatment of this rare and severe hereditary blood disease. The Hemophilia Center started its activities in the 1970s and is rapidly developing today. The doctors at the center have unique experience and deep knowledge in the diagnostics and treatment of hemophilia A and B. Medical care is provided to patients of all age groups. Physicians from related medical fields are often involved in the therapeutic process, including general practitioners, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, radiologists, orthopedists, and others. The center admits patients both on an inpatient and outpatient basis. The doctors working at the center have all the options of modern medicine to help patients with hemophilia of varying severity.

The Department of Transplant Surgery offers patients the transplantation of internal organs in accordance with the requirements of modern university medicine. The department successfully performs high-tech liver, lung, and kidney transplants. In cooperation with doctors from the Department of Adult and Pediatric Ophthalmology, corneal transplants are also performed. The medical facility began its clinical practice in 1984 and has invaluable experience in helping patients with complex diseases of the kidneys, liver, and lungs. The department's transplant surgeons cooperate closely with specialists in nephrology, hepatology, and pulmonology, whereby they jointly plan the patient's treatment and follow-up care based on the particular clinical case. The department's surgeons are proficient in advanced techniques, which, in combination with state-of-the-art equipment, allows them to achieve excellent results.

The Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery provides the full range of diagnostic and therapeutic services to patients suffering from diseases of the oral cavity, jaw, face, and neck. One of the priorities of the department's surgeons is the resection of malignant oral and maxillofacial tumors. Patients with such cancers are treated in close cooperation with otolaryngologists within the specialized center certified by the German Cancer Society (DKG). The department also regularly admits patients with temporomandibular joint disorders, facial skeleton fractures and injuries, inflammatory processes in the maxillofacial region, cleft lip and palate, and other pathologies. The medical facility has several operating rooms with state-of-the-art equipment, thanks to which surgeons can perform operations of any degree of complexity. Special attention should be given to the outstanding professionalism of the department's medical team. The doctors at the medical facility guarantee not only high standards of medical care, but also high-quality care, a friendly attitude, and respect for the patient's individual needs and wishes.

The Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology offers the widest range of preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic services in the areas of its competence. The department's doctors admit patients with gastrointestinal diseases, liver, gallbladder, and bile duct pathologies, as well as thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal diseases. In addition, the department specializes in treating type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (certified by the German Diabetes Association) and offers competent dietary counseling. The medical facility has modern diagnostic and treatment rooms equipped with the very latest technology. There is also an advanced Endoscopy Unit, which annually treats more than 5,000 patients. As part of specialized outpatient clinics, the department's doctors annually admit over 10,000 patients for diagnostics and treatment. The health of patients is in the safe hands of highly qualified doctors with long experience, which, combined with a modern medical and technical base, contributes to the best therapeutic results.

The Department of Nephrology offers the full range of high-quality services in the field of its competence. Particular attention is paid to the treatment of kidney failure. Patients with progressive forms of the pathology receive renal replacement therapy (hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and other types of treatment). The department has excellent equipment for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The medical facility has 40 beds for patient hospitalization. Patients also receive medical services in specialized outpatient clinics for general kidney diseases, glomerulonephritis, kidney cysts, nephrogenic arterial hypertension, and other diseases. The medical facility is part of the Transplant Center, so the team of doctors provides preparation and follow-up care for patients after kidney transplant surgery. The department has long clinical experience and rich traditions, which guarantee impeccable treatment results.

The Department of Pulmonology and Infectology provides all modern diagnostic and therapeutic options for patients with respiratory diseases. Of particular interest is the treatment of lung cancer (in collaboration with cardiothoracic surgeons and oncologists), respiratory failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pneumonia. The department offers the services of specialized sections for coronavirus infection, cystic fibrosis, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, interstitial lung disease, and pulmonary hypertension. The department's patients can also receive highly effective intensive care, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), MARS therapy, and long-term venovenous hemodialysis. The department has the necessary resources for endoscopic diagnostics and treatment, as well as pulmonary function tests in a specialized laboratory. With 78 beds, the department is one of the largest medical facilities of this kind in Germany, including 18 beds with mechanical ventilation. The therapeutic options of the medical facility are complemented by the treatment of infectious diseases, including tropical infections.

The Department of Adult and Pediatric Dermatology, Allergology offers the full range of services in these medical fields. The department specializes in the diagnostics and treatment of benign and malignant skin tumors, inflammatory skin diseases, infectious and autoimmune skin lesions, allergies, sexually transmitted infections, as well as hair and nail disorders. The department is proud of its advanced infrastructure: three high-tech operating rooms, including those with the possibility of performing operations on obese patients (weighing up to 230 kg), rooms for modern laser therapy, a Phototherapy Section, and numerous specialized outpatient clinics. The department also has an in-house Histology Laboratory for carrying out histological examinations for suspected inflammatory skin diseases and skin tumors. The patients' skin health is in the safe hands of highly qualified doctors, for whom it is important to perform effective treatment using the most modern and sparing methods.

The Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine offers diagnostics and treatment of all diseases in newborns, young children, and adolescents. The department admits patients between the ages of 0 and 18 years. The key focus is on treating hormone disorders, growth disorders, diabetes mellitus, rheumatic diseases, cystic fibrosis, and lung diseases. Newborns receive medical care at the Level I Perinatal Center, which is part of the department. The department also has a well-equipped Intensive Care Unit with the possibility of various types of mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The department has 62 beds for hospital stays for young patients. About 2,500 inpatients undergo treatment here every year, and almost 8,500 more patients receive outpatient medical care in the department. The doctors at the medical facility get along well with children and make every effort to make them feel as comfortable as possible during the entire treatment period.

The Department of Neurology and Epileptology provides the full range of diagnostic and therapeutic services to patients with diseases of the nervous system. The main clinical activities include the diagnostics and treatment of cerebrovascular accidents, inflammatory diseases of the nervous system, neurodegenerative disorders, and epilepsy. The doctors of the medical facility have high-tech diagnostic equipment for a comprehensive assessment of the structure and functions of the brain and spinal cord, as well as peripheral nerves. The department's neurologists cooperate closely with neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists, thanks to which the specialists can cooperatively develop an optimal treatment regimen. During the treatment, the department's specialists most often use drug therapy (pills, injections, and infusions), botulinum toxin therapy, physiotherapy procedures, and modern neurostimulation methods. The department has 85 beds to accommodate inpatients.

The Department of Pediatric Neurology and Epileptology offers the full range of medical services in these areas and specializes in medical care for young patients with neurological disorders. Particular attention in clinical practice is paid to the treatment of all forms of epilepsy, which can be provided both on an inpatient and an outpatient basis. Doctors have successful experience in treating cerebral palsy, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, neuromuscular diseases, traumatic brain injuries, chronic headaches, and other pathologies. Pediatric neurologists cooperate closely with the specialists from the Department of Neurology and Epileptology so that children can undergo comprehensive diagnostics and receive the necessary treatment. The department has excellent technical resources for the assessment of the child's neurological function and development, which allows the doctors to perform the most effective treatment. Pediatric neurologists are responsible for conservative therapy for young patients. Should surgical treatment be required, the operations will be performed by neurosurgeons in advanced operating rooms.

The Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology provides the widest range of services for young patients in these medical fields. The department is responsible for high-precision diagnostics and comprehensive treatment of solid malignant tumors (brain cancer, lymphomas, nephroblastomas, and others), as well as benign and malignant blood diseases and blood-clotting disorders in children. Young patients can receive medical care both on an inpatient and outpatient basis. An integral part of the treatment is psychosocial support for both the patient and his family. The medical care in the department complies with the guidelines of the German Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology (GPOH). The treatment is based on the use of only reliable and effective therapeutic methods, which, in most cases, allow doctors to achieve the child's complete recovery. The department offers well-equipped play areas, music therapy, and various types of animation programs for children, which significantly facilitates the therapeutic process.

The Department of Pediatric Cardiology offers the full range of services for the diagnostics and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in children and adolescents. The department's main focus is the provision of medical care to young patients with congenital heart defects. The medical facility is certified as a supraregional Adult Congenital Heart Disease Center by the German Cardiac Society (DGK), the German Society of Pediatric Cardiology (DGPK), and the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (DHTHG). In addition, the department has the status of a Competence Center for Congenital Heart Disease in Children. The department's doctors maintain close cooperation with the Departments of Pediatrics and Neonatology, specialists in adult cardiology, thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, and obstetricians and gynecologists to ensure comprehensive medical care and achieve optimal treatment results. More than 800 patients are treated in the department, and about 135 interventions are performed here annually. The hearts of young patients are in the safe hands of a highly specialized team of cardiologists with impressive clinical experience.

The Department of General and Abdominal Surgery, Hernia Surgery, Endocrine, Hepatopancreatobiliary, Colorectal, Bariatric, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery provides the full range of services in these medical fields. The highly qualified team of the department's surgeons specializes in performing operations of any degree of complexity in the treatment of pathologies of the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts, and diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus, as well as endocrine disorders. The department also performs all modern interventions for vascular pathologies, including aneurysms, carotid stenosis, and intermittent claudication. Patients with morbid obesity can undergo surgical treatment using the most modern and effective techniques. In addition, the medical facility employs experienced pediatric surgeons who provide surgical care to young patients. Operations are performed both on an inpatient and outpatient basis, in accordance with the best recommendations of professional societies. Doctors at the department's state-of-the-art operating rooms perform major interventions, navigation-guided surgery, and minimally invasive surgery to ensure fast recovery of patients.

The Department of Adult and Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery offers the full range of services in this medical field and specializes in providing top-class medical care to patients with diseases of the heart, lungs, and aorta. Cardiothoracic surgeons treat patients of all age groups, ranging from young children to the elderly. The primary focus of the doctors' work at the medical facility is the treatment of aortic and mitral valve regurgitation, with the specialists aiming to perform a reconstructive intervention rather than heart valve replacement surgery. Doctors have vast experience in coronary artery bypass grafting. The department is one of the few medical facilities of this kind in Germany, where doctors offer endarterectomy for chronic pulmonary embolism. The department has modern medical equipment and competent staff, which guarantees excellent medical care as well as a friendly and responsive attitude towards patients. The department performs more than 1,600 surgical interventions of varying complexity, and more than 2,200 patients receive medical care on an outpatient basis.

The Department of Adult and Pediatric Orthopedics, Orthopedic Surgery, Foot Surgery offers the full range of services in the areas of its specialization. The department carries out comprehensive diagnostic examinations of the musculoskeletal system as well as effective conservative and surgical treatment of pathologies of the joints, tendons, muscles, and bones. The department's team of doctors is always trying to solve the problem with the musculoskeletal system using conservative methods such as drug therapy, intra-articular injections, therapeutic exercises, physiotherapy, and massage. The department also has a pool for swimming and therapeutic exercises in the water, a well-equipped gym, and electrotherapy rooms. In complex clinical cases, doctors resort to surgical interventions, but almost all of them are performed with low-traumatic techniques, which allow a patient to restore mobility as soon as possible. One of the most important focuses of work in the surgical field is knee, hip, and shoulder replacement surgery. The department has passed the endoCert certification that is awarded to the best orthopedic medical facilities only. The specialists also have a perfect command of arthroscopic techniques for treating joints.