Essen Pediatric Surgery: Univ.-Prof. Dr Berger

Prof. Dr Michael Berger is a Specialist in Pediatric Surgery and Director of the Clinic for Pediatric Surgery at Essen University Hospital.

Prof. Berger's team treats congenital and acquired diseases in children from the prenatal and neonatal period, in infancy and toddlerhood up to adulthood. At University Hospital Essen, children are always operated on in a holistic, interdisciplinary treatment approach.

Modern Pediatric Surgery – Children Are Not Little Adults

The surgical treatment of the smallest patients is especially challenging because many anatomical and physiological conditions of the body differ significantly between children and adults. Thus, knowledge of the specifics of pediatric pathologies is a necessary key to successful treatment. In particular, the surgical treatment of children is very demanding due to their small size and unique metabolism.

A particularly gentle surgical approach is, for example, the minimally invasive keyhole surgery, which is highly modern and can also be used in children in many cases. Prof. Dr Berger is a proven expert in minimally invasive pediatric surgery. During his training in the U.S., he first specialized in surgical techniques using the keyhole method in children and then in hepatobiliary and transplantation surgery of the liver and kidney in children.

Liver Surgery in Children

Prof. Berger and his team are characterized by their special medical expertise in liver and biliary diseases in children. Rare liver tumors, for example, are surgically treated here. The clinic is particularly specialized in the clinical picture of biliary atresia, a congenital obstruction of the bile ducts that requires surgical treatment. At best, this can be achieved through corrective surgery (hepatoportoenterostomy).

The University Hospital Essen also offers treatment for the rare Abernethy malformation, which involves a connection between the portal vein and the blood circulation of the right heart or its vena cava. As a result, some or all of the blood from the gastrointestinal tract enters the systemic circulation, bypassing the liver. This often leads to accompanying malformations, such as heart defects or liver tumors.

In some instances, the course of the disease in young patients is severe to the extent that a liver transplant becomes necessary. The University Hospital has been established as a center for this and enables so-called SPLIT transplants to be carried out. In addition, parents can donate parts of their liver to their children.

Visceral Pediatric Surgery

Visceral surgery includes the treatment of diseases of the intestine (e.g., chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, circulatory disorders) and abdominal organs. These include the various stomach, liver and gall bladder, pancreas, and spleen diseases. Today, many surgical procedures can be carried out without opening the entire abdominal cavity, referred to as a laparoscopic approach (keyhole surgery).

One of the most common clinical pictures treated surgically in this way is appendicitis. However, University Hospital Essen specializes in clinical pictures, mainly in children and adolescents, requiring special expertise. These include, for example, necrotizing enterocolitis (inflammation of the intestine, an emergency in newborns) or a persistent omphaloenteric duct (the connection between the navel and the intestine, which usually regresses in the course of embryonic development).

Cancer Surgery in Children

Childhood cancers are fortunately rare but require safe and, at the same time, particular therapy due to their special status. In childhood, malignant and benign tumor diseases differ from cancer diseases in adult patients. In addition, specific clinical pictures such as hepatoblastoma (tumor of the liver), nephroblastoma (tumor of the kidney), or neuroblastoma (tumor of the nervous system) usually only occur in children and thus require unique expertise in treatment.

The University Hospital Essen enables the surgery of such tumors in interdisciplinary cooperation with specialists of the respective necessary fields. Other approaches such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy are also carried out there. The young patients are treated individually, from the diagnosis to the final therapy. Since receiving his doctorate, Prof. Berger has been working scientifically on the biological interaction at the interface between malignant tumors and the immune system. Prof. Berger's research is highly respected within academic pediatric surgery. His work is clinically relevant for innovative treatment strategies for various childhood tumors.

Innovative surgical treatments for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in young patients

Essen University Hospital serves as a specialized surgical center for the treatment of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in children and teenagers. With a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach, the hospital offers state-of-the-art surgical interventions to provide optimal care for young patients with these inflammatory bowel diseases.

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic conditions that can significantly impact the quality of life for affected children and teenagers. When medical therapies fail to control symptoms or complications arise, surgical intervention becomes necessary. Essen University Hospital excels in providing a wide range of surgical options tailored to each patient's needs.

The hospital's team of highly skilled pediatric surgeons, gastroenterologists, and other specialists work closely together to develop personalized treatment plans. Surgical procedures aim to alleviate symptoms, manage complications, and improve long-term outcomes. These may include bowel resection, stricturoplasty, ileostomy, or colectomy, among others.

Essen University Hospital is renowned for its expertise in minimally invasive techniques, such as laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgeries. These approaches offer numerous benefits, including smaller incisions, reduced pain, faster recovery, and improved cosmetic outcomes. Additionally, they can be particularly advantageous for pediatric patients, minimizing the physical and emotional impact of surgery.

The hospital's specialized surgical center emphasizes compassionate care and patient education. The medical team ensures that children, teenagers, and their families are well-informed about the surgical procedures, potential risks, and expected outcomes. This collaborative approach fosters a supportive environment and empowers patients to actively participate in their treatment decisions.

Through its commitment to excellence, innovation, and patient-centered care, Essen University Hospital serves as a leading institution for the surgical treatment of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in children and teenagers. By integrating advanced surgical techniques with a comprehensive approach, the hospital strives to optimize outcomes and enhance the quality of life for young patients living with these challenging conditions.

Pediatric Urology

Congenital and acquired diseases of the kidney, urinary tract, and genital organs represent another field of pediatric surgery. Malformations of the kidney such as double kidneys or a non-functioning kidney can be surgically removed if necessary. Diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections, urinary complaints, and malformations of the urinary tract are also possible in cooperation with specialists in urology.

Special malformations of the genitals, for example, a defective orifice of the urethra, phimosis, or undescended testicles, can also be treated. In many cases, pronounced anomalies are already visible prenatally on ultrasound and can thus be discussed at an early stage, and possible interventions can be planned in detail.

Some kidney diseases lead to kidney failure despite adequate treatment approaches. Dialysis represents a kidney replacement therapy. The necessary preparatory interventions, such as creating certain accesses, are regularly carried out. In addition, University Hospital Essen is a specialized center for kidney transplants in children.

Transition – Long-Term Concepts into Adulthood

The term transition covers the medical transition of children into adulthood with all its changes. For example, many congenital diseases require lifelong therapy, which must be adapted to the respective age and individual development. These include conditions such as spina bifida or short bowel syndrome. Comprehensive care is essential for such cases.

At the University Hospital, an exceptional treatment concept is created for this group of patients. The cooperation between areas of pediatric surgery and specialized adult surgery is a special feature. The transition takes place smoothly, avoiding an abrupt break with the care conditions patients have been accustomed to for years. The best possible medical care is just as important as patient satisfaction.

Please visit the Pediatric Surgery Clinic website for more information.