Vascular surgery in Munich
Varicose veins have been known since ancient times. Today, this problem remains one of the most widespread in many countries of the world. The direct causes of the disease are not yet fully determined. Treatment in Germany of this pathology is carried out by doctors of the department of vascular diseases or phlebology. The main problem in the therapy of pathology of arteries and veins, especially varicose veins, is the gradual involvement in the process of other vascular bundles of the lower limbs, even after primary surgical intervention or conservative treatment. Therefore, a large number of correction methods are being developed that are aimed at minimizing the aggressiveness of surgical treatment, as well as diagnostic methods that are necessary to accurately determine the localization of the process.
German medicine is one of the leading countries in this area. There are a huge number of phlebology centers located on its territory, where the latest known surgical and conservative methods of treatment are applied.
Advantages of medical facilities in Germany
Varicose vein disease monitoring in German clinics primarily includes examination and diagnosis of the disease, which are carried out using modern technologies. In addition, highly qualified specialists have vast experience in varicose veins treatment, which is confirmed by positive feedback from patients and results of clinical trials presented at various international conferences.
The wards of such centers have all the necessary equipment, as well as excellent conditions for rehabilitation after surgery.
A large number of renowned vascular surgery centers are located in Munich.
The Munich Center for Vascular Surgery has the best reputation among other centers in Germany for operations on vascular pathologies. It is an offshoot of the University Hospital Rechts der Isar in Munich.
The Vascular Surgery Clinic has been operating for 35 years. The center is equipped with a hybrid operating room, where both open surgical interventions and intravascular interventions can be performed.
The clinic’s main areas of focus are:
— Surgical treatment of aneurysms of various parts of the aorta.
— Restoration of sections of the aorta and carotid artery in various stenoses and injuries.
— Diseases of blood vessels, which are often accompanied by disorders of blood flow in them, which leads to various serious disorders of tissue nutrition. The center uses a wide range of different technologies that allow this pathology to remove.
— Various types of varicose veins treatment are provided: stripping, sclerotherapy, VNUS catheter installation, clot removal and others.
— The installation of shunts for patients on dialysis is performed.
— Conservative methods of varicose veins treatment.
Diagnostic methods: computed tomography (including with contrast injection and native study), angiography before, during and after surgery using low-radiation radiologic radiation.
A special feature of the University Hospital is its cooperation with various medical institutions. This allows for consultations at the highest level with the involvement of highly qualified specialists. For about a decade the clinic has been cooperating with the Center for Vascular Diseases. The clinic employs specialists who can help solve clinical cases of any complexity, such as vascular surgeons, specialists in interventional radiology, neurology, nephrology and endocrinology, particularly in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Since 2001, the Vascular Center together with the Clinic for Cardiac Surgery have established the Center for Aortic Diseases at the University of Munich. The basis for the improvement of the physicians of the center is continuous medical education, advanced training courses, constant exchange of experience and knowledge, presentations and publication of scientific achievements.
For a more complete treatment of diseases of the aorta and other vessels, the center holds various consultations, where any patient can get all the necessary information about their disease, as well as about the problems of blood clotting disorders, renal replacement therapy and varicose veins.
Treatment of aortic aneurysms and aortic diseases occupies a special place in the clinic’s activities. Correction of this pathology is carried out depending on the affected part of the aorta — in case of abdominal aorta lesion EVAR (Endovascular Aneurysms Repair, endovascular aneurysm surgery) is performed — it is a minimally invasive method, which is safer compared to the open method, when open surgical access is performed. And in case of thoracic aortic lesions, TEVAR (Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair) is performed.
The center’s chief administrator and director is Hans-Henning Eckstein, MD, PhD. Prof. Eckstein is a physician who, thanks to his experience and expertise, has become one of the best in the treatment of vascular diseases and the diagnosis of vascular pathology. His main specialty is interventional phlebology. The doctor has all the necessary skills and knowledge in performing endovascular surgical interventions through mini-accesses. Prof. Eckstein has extensive experience in working with vascular patients and also teaches at the Department of Vascular Surgery at the Medical Faculty of the Technical University of Munich.
The Clinic for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Munich is in high demand. Privat Assistant Professor Heider and Privat Assistant Professor Trager have extensive experience in the treatment of varicose veins and in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic arterial and vein diseases. Privat Associate Professor Haider worked as a general surgeon at the Rechts der Isar Clinic. Since 2002, the doctor has been chief physician at the Clinic for Vascular Surgery in Munich and has been seeing patients at the Isar Clinic since 2012. Thanks to this experience, Privat Assistant Professor Heider and Privat Assistant Professor Trager have been treating varicose veins in patients after unsuccessful surgeries.
Treatment methods using vein bonding technology are becoming increasingly common. This catheter-based technique avoids incisions, general anesthesia and complications in the postoperative period. In addition, the quality of life after application of the new technology is significantly higher compared to standard methods.
Qualitative treatment requires accurate diagnosis of the lesion. For this purpose, modern ultrasound methods are used: duplex sonography, as well as plethysmography, rheography and oscillography, which help to assess, in addition to structural lesions of vessels, their functional capabilities, which determines the further scope of treatment. Also, the clinic uses modern diagnostic methods, which are still being tested only in some countries: percutaneous measurement of local blood oxygen saturation with visualization of disorders using laser flowmetry.
All patients at the clinic are examined and treated directly under the supervision of experienced doctors Privat Associate Professor Heider and Privat Associate Professor Trager. Treatment can be carried out either as an inpatient or outpatient. If a prolonged hospital stay is necessary, the patient will be transferred to an inpatient unit, where he or she will be under the supervision of specialists for the entire period of treatment.
Most of the surgeries performed are small, so they do not require long postoperative follow-up and treatment.
The Clinic for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery treats varicose veins with VenaSeal. To perform this technique, the biological glue Sapheon is used, which is injected into the varicose vein with the help of a catheter. The affected vein is glued and the pathological process in this area will not develop in the future.
Since 2010, the Clinic for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery has been ranked among the top doctors and clinics in Germany «FOCUS».
In addition to traditional methods of treatment and diagnosis of vein and arterial diseases, the clinic is actively developing such a direction as aesthetic phlebology.
The clinic utilizes three main techniques in this area.
Sclerotherapy. This method of treatment allows you to remove visible changes on the limbs with varicose veins. The method is quite simple: a special substance — sclerosant — is injected into the lesion of the vessel. It promotes the formation of connective tissue, so that through the affected area ceases to flow blood, and externally the vessel is not visible. At the same time, this procedure is minimally invasive, does not require anesthesia and the price of this method is low.
This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, and after treatment for a month it is necessary to use special stockings to prevent recurrences.
Laser vein ablation. This method of therapy is used for minor lesions of the vessels. If the lesion area is large, first sclerotherapy will be performed, after which laser irradiation is applied. To do this, a catheter with an electrode is directed into the area of the affected vessel, while the skin and soft tissues remain untouched. Using ultrasound methods, the area of the affected joint is visualized and the laser exposure is carried out.
And another technology in aesthetic phlebology is the use of VenaSeal. The method is interesting because the effect occurs immediately during the procedure. A special catheter is introduced into the area of the node under the control of ultrasound, through it is introduced glue, harmless to the body, and on the skin side of the doctor presses on the altered vessel. This leads to the gluing of the affected area and withdrawal of it from the general blood flow. The catheter is then removed and the patient can safely go home.
In addition to the above mentioned varicose vein treatment technologies, the clinic performs aesthetic vein surgeries.
CELON PFITT – is a painless procedure that is performed using a thin probe whose end is heated to +85C. At this temperature, the procedure is maximally effective. This method is practically widespread throughout Germany.
VNUS CLOSURE – A procedure to remove the affected vein. It is performed through a mini-access with a small incision. The procedure is painless because high-end instruments are used.
In addition to small aesthetic surgeries, the clinic performs endovascular methods of varicose veins treatment. They remove blood clots, install stents (in this case, vessels are dilated with a small tube, restoring blood flow).
The clinic also performs balloon angioplasty. A thin catheter with an inflated balloon at its end is brought to the vessel; when reaching the affected area, the balloon is inflated, which leads to restoration of blood flow in the altered vessel. Atherosclerotic plaque is usually the cause of vessel blockage, and the balloon compresses it, opening the lumen.
When any tumor is detected, mainly of vascular origin, embolization is used instead of vessel dilation. This is a procedure in which various substances are injected into the vessel feeding the tumor, which clog the vessel and help to stop feeding the tumor.
The main advantages of surgeries at this center are:
— Low complication rate.
— Painless procedures.
— Aesthetic Appearance.
— Rapid Recovery.
In addition, the center is engaged in the development of new methods of varicose veins treatment and improvement of classical methods of surgical treatment.
Gentle radiofrequency therapy. This method removes enlarged veins using radiofrequency radiation.
Crossectomy. The traditional method of treating varicose veins is to remove the affected vein. A small incision is made in the skin. The technique of this operation is highly developed, and the number of complications and recurrences is reduced with this treatment option.
Stripping. It is also a standard method in which complete removal of the affected veins is performed using several incisions in the skin in various areas throughout the vein.
Foam sclerotherapy. The new variant of sclerotherapy has proven itself quite well in Germany. The advantages of this method are: no visible marks on the skin, the possibility to use other methods later, and the shortest rehabilitation period.
CHIVA method. In this method, vessel sections are preserved as much as possible, and if necessary, they can be used in other vascular surgeries.