Department of Thoracic Surgery

bernward-passlick



“It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the University Medical Center Freiburg. The Department of Thoracic Surgery is one of the largest centers for thoracic diseases in Europe. More than 2,000 operations are performed every year, primarily complex surgical thoracic interventions. Operations for lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies including lung metastases and mesothelioma represent the main focus of our department. Our operating theaters are equipped with the newest technical facilities including the newest lung laser which allows us to perform complex operations. In addition, specialists from various fields including, pneumologists, cardiovascular surgeons, and oncologists supply interdisciplinary support. Furthermore, we work in close cooperation with our team of thoracic anesthesiology which allows us to perform complex thoracic interventions, even for patients with limited pulmonary reserve.”

Bernward Passlick
Medical Director, Prof. Dr. med.

Our department is equipped with the newest technical support in order to achieve the exact diagnosis of all thoracic diseases including lung diseases and other respiratory problems. Among these diagnostic tools are computed tomography (CT), magnet resonance tomography (MRI), angiography, positron emission tomography (PET), ventilation- and perfusion scintigraphy, bronchoscopy including fluorescence bronchoscopy, endobronchial ultrasound examination (EBUS), endoesophageal ultrasound examination (EUS), videoassisted thoracic surgery, video mediastinoscopy, and lung function tests.

 thoracic-surgery-certificate

Our Department has gained vast experience in the field of invasive surgical bronchiology such as stent implantations, cryotherapy (cold cauterization), laser treatment in case of tracheal and bronchial stenosis, esophagotracheal fistulas as well as endotracheal and endobronchial tumors.

We performe all thoracic oncological procedures in order to treat lung cancer and mediastinal tumors as well as lung metastases, and other tumors of the chest. In addition, for extended resections we also perform minimal invasive procedures, such as video-assisted lobectomies and thymectomies. In cooperation with the Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg (CCCF) we provide multidisciplinary support.

Another focus of our work is pediatric thoracic surgery. In our department, more than 50 children are treated per year including young patients with chest tumors and patients with chest deformities including funnel chests and chicken / pigeon breasts.