Your individual treatment
Minimally-invasive treatment
“Minimally invasive” not only means creating the smallest possible, keyhole incision. The term also expresses a comprehensive and customised treatment strategy. In minimally-invasive neurosurgery, this customised treatment and operation method plays a central role and represents a departure from standard surgery. The minimally-invasive surgeon plans and performs the surgery himself/herself!
Minimally-invasive treatment involves the following steps:
- consultation and comprehensive briefing,
- careful preparation and planning of the intervention,
- a precise surgical procedure,
- personal care,
- well-prepared discharge, and diligent follow-up
Consulting and briefing
The aim of consultation aims is to inform the patient about the disease and present all treatment options. We do this in a soothing and pleasant atmosphere.
In the ENDOMIN Centre, patients are examined, personal medical history is collected, and diagnostics are reviewed. In many cases, a reliable decision can be made based on this information. In other cases, further investigation is required.
Neurosurgical diseases are uncommon and can be quite frightening for patients. Many have researched on the Internet or to listened to several opinions and are thus very unsettled. We therefore allow plenty of time for consultation – relatives and caregivers are also welcome. We also understand that our patients face a difficult decision and may wish to seek a second opinion.
Preparation and planning of interventions
During preparation, the goal is to create the best possible conditions for the planned intervention. During an anaesthesiologic briefing, the operational capability is scrutinised and the treatment of pre-existing conditions is optimised. In particular, this concerns blood-thinning medication (e.g. aspirin, warfarin, and Plavix), medication for diabetes (e.g. glucophage), and medication that affects the immune system (e.g. chemotherapy). In the operating room, neuro-anaesthesiologists under the direction of Dr Britta Gaida care for our patients.
When it comes to minimally-invasive neurosurgery, the planning of the operation is of particular importance. With extensive radiological imaging, we can not only make diagnosis but also depict millimetre-sized details of the disease and adjacent structures. With the help of modern image data, the patient can examine the depths of the brain without the need for craniotomy. The surgical procedure can be planned accurately, thereby preventing injury to healthy structures. The ultimate goal is minimum invasiveness with maximum effectiveness.
Inpatient admission and care
Most neurosurgical operations are performed on an inpatient basis.
After appropriate preparation, the patient is usually admitted the day before surgery. For minor surgery, the patient is admitted on the same day. After registration at the reception, the patient is accompanied to the ward and received by the nursing staff. Any last questions are clarified with the anaesthetist and the surgeon.
All though it may sounds obvious, it must nevertheless be noted: in our centre, Dr Reisch performs all operations. This includes the positioning, preparation of neuronavigation and intra-operative imaging, and the creation of surgical incisions. Minimally-invasive incisions are reduced to the size of keyhole. They must therefore be perfectly planned and individually created by the surgeon responsible.
Treatment is not completed after the last suture has been placed. After surgery, our patients continue to be cared for by our qualified team. For the benefit of our patients, we work together with highly qualified specialists. This multidisciplinary collaboration guarantees safety for our patients – from the initial patient briefing to discharge and aftercare.
Our patients benefit from a highly modern hospital – with the ambience of a private clinic.
Discharge and follow up
The discharge from the hospital cannot be equated with complete recovery. Patients are only discharged when regular medical or nursing care is required and later complications are not expected. Before the patient is discharged, there is a detailed discussion on the further course, recommended behaviour, and necessary check-ups. If necessary, our dedicated social department will organise inpatient rehabilitation and spa treatment or outpatient follow-up treatment and community nursing care.