Zurich Pediatric Surgery: Prof Dr Ueli Möhrlen
Treatment focus
- Neonatal and malformation surgery
- Visceral surgery
- Colorectal surgery
- Thoracic surgery
- Fetal surgery
- Surgical oncology
Contact
Universitäts-Kinderspital Zürich
Visceral and Thoracic Surgery
Lenggstrasse 30, CH-8008 Zurich
Consultation Hours:
Appointments by arrangement
Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM
and 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Impressions
Medical Range
Range of Diagnostic Services
- Entire range of radiological imaging diagnostics (X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, PET-CT, and much more)
- The entire range of laboratory diagnostics, including special analyses
- Entire range of functional diagnostics in gastroenterology (gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and much more) and pneumology (lung function, bronchoscopy, and much more)
Range of Therapeutic Services
- Congenital malformations of the head and neck
- Congenital malformations of the chest
- Congenital malformations of the stomach and intestinal tract
- Duplications (double formations)
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Pyloric hypertrophy
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Acquired diseases of the anorectal region
- Persistent vitelline duct (connection between the navel and small intestine)
- Persistent urachus (connection between the navel and urinary bladder)
- Congenital malformations of the abdominal wall
- Hernias
- Oncological diseases
More Information
Card
Prof Dr Ueli Möhrlen is a specialist in fetal, neonatal, and pediatric surgery and Director of Surgery at the Specialist in Pediatric Surgery at the Universitäts-Kinderspital in Zurich. He is an internationally renowned surgeon and researcher. He has worked at the Universitäts-Kinderspital Zurich since 2001 and completed his training, among others, with a fellowship at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (USA). He has been the head of the Department of Visceral and Thoracic Surgery since 2014 and is a very active member of numerous national and international professional associations. His scientific publications and academic activities worldwide have gained significant international recognition.
Prof Möhrlen's experienced team offers interdisciplinary and highly specialized treatments in fetal, neonatal, visceral, and thoracic surgery. They also specialize in complex colorectal diseases in children and adolescents, as well as tumor surgery in the abdomen and thorax. They use the latest technologies and methods.
Specialist in Pediatric Surgery at the Universitäts-Kinderspital Zurich: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Children and Adolescents
Minimally invasive techniques are highly valued in pediatric surgery because they are exceptionally gentle and enable faster recovery. Such laparoscopic and thoracoscopic procedures are routinely used at the Universitäts-Kinderspital Zurich to minimize stress for young patients.
These methods are used to treat numerous diseases, including appendicitis, bile duct disorders, diaphragmatic hernias, and various thoracic procedures. They result in only small, often inconspicuous scars.
Surgical Treatment of Esophageal Atresia, Anal Atresia, and Other Diseases
Congenital malformations of the gastrointestinal tract require specialized surgical treatment. Esophageal atresia is a malformation in which the esophagus is not fully developed, preventing food from reaching the stomach. The separated segments of the esophagus are often surgically connected in the first few days of life to enable normal food intake. The corrective surgery is routine and frequently carried out.
Anal atresia refers to a malformation of the anus, which is either not properly formed or completely absent. This means that the child cannot pass stool. Surgical correction places high challenges on surgeons to restore normal function. This surgery is also carried out several times a month at the Universitäts-Kinderspital Zurich.
The Universitäts-Kinderspital Zurich is home to Prof Möhrlen, a renowned expert in pediatric surgery who treats these complex malformations of the infant digestive tract with a high level of professional competence and comprehensive expertise.
Minimally Invasive Surgery for Intestinal Malformations in Children
One of the most common congenital intestinal malformations is Hirschsprung's disease. In this condition, the nerve cells necessary for regular bowel movement are missing in a section of the large intestine. This leads to severe constipation, a distended abdomen, and failure to thrive.
Transanal endorectal pull-through surgery (TERPT) allows the affected section of the intestine to be removed without external incisions. Combining this procedure with laparoscopic techniques is necessary in extensive cases only. These methods reduce pain, accelerate healing, and leave hardly any visible scars. After the procedure, an interdisciplinary team provides long-term support to the children to ensure optimal bowel function.
Thoracic Surgery for Children and Adolescents: Specialist in Lung and Chest Diseases
A diaphragmatic hernia is a congenital malformation in which organs from the abdominal cavity slip into the chest cavity and impair lung development. Surgical correction uses a minimally invasive technique to return the organs to their correct position and reconstruct the diaphragm. Congenital lung malformations, such as cystic lung changes or segmental malformations, can also lead to breathing problems. In many cases, surgical removal is necessary to prevent complications later on. In addition, all congenital lung malformations (CPAM, sequestrations, and hybrid lesions) are routinely treated at the Kinderspital.
Severe infections of the lungs and pleura are also treated using state-of-the-art surgical techniques. Minimally invasive procedures are preferred as they enable a faster recovery.
Excessive sweating of the hands and armpits (hyperhidrosis) in adolescents is also treated by minimally invasive surgery in the chest (transection of the sympathetic trunk).
Thanks to the high level of expertise of the interdisciplinary team at the Universitäts-Kinderspital Zurich, affected children receive optimal surgical care with an excellent prognosis.
Interdisciplinary Cancer Treatment for Children & Adolescents in Zurich
The treatment of cancer in children and adolescents requires an interdisciplinary approach. The Department of Surgical Oncology at the Universitäts-Kinderspital Zurich works closely with the Department of Oncology to ensure the best possible care.
Prof Möhrlen's team specializes in the surgical treatment of solid tumors such as neuroblastomas and rhabdomyosarcomas. Neuroblastomas are malignant tumors of the sympathetic nervous system that often develop in the adrenal gland or along the spine. Depending on the stage of the disease, treatment is surgical, often in combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Rhabdomyosarcomas, which arise from immature muscle cells, can also grow in various parts of the body and require radical surgical removal, often supplemented by chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Special ports are placed under the skin of children who require prolonged chemotherapy to administer medication gently without having to create new access points constantly. Thanks to close interdisciplinary cooperation, each treatment plan is individually adapted to ensure that young patients have the best chance of recovery with the highest possible quality of life.
Curriculum Vitae
| Since 2024 | Extraordinary Professor in Pediatric Surgery at the University of Zurich |
| 2021–2024 | Assistant Professor with Tenure Track at the Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich and Director of the Surgical Clinic at the Universitäts-Kinderspital Zurich |
| since 2020 | Head of Fetal Surgery, Universitäts-Kinderspital Zurich, and Co-Director of the Center for Prenatal Diagnosis and Therapy, Universitäts-Kinderspital and Universitätsspital Zurich |
| since 2015 | Head of Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, Universitäts-Kinderspital Zurich |
| 2015 | Habilitation and Venia Legendi in Pediatric Surgery, University of Zurich |
| 2014–2021 | Head Physician, Universitäts-Kinderspital Hospital Zurich, Surgical Clinic |
| 2011–2015 | Representative Head of Visceral, Thoracic, and Fetal Surgery, Universitäts-Kinderspital Zurich, Surgical Clinic |
| 2010 | Specialist in Pediatric Surgery (FMH) |
| 2009–2011 | Senior Physician Universitäts-Kinderspital Zurich, Surgical Clinic |
| 2008–2009 | Representative Senior Physician, Universitäts-Kinderspital Zurich, Surgical Clinic |
| 2007 | ECFMG Certification |
| 2006–2008 | Scholarship Holder for Pediatric Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, |
| 2001 | Doctoral Thesis, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich |
| 2000 | State Exam in Human Medicine, University of Zurich |
Team
PD Dr Sasha J. Tharakan
Representative Head of Department, Senior Physician, Head of the Colorectal Center for Children and Adolescents (CORE)
Visceral Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Fetal Surgery
KD Dr Noëmi Zweifel
Senior Physician mbF, Head of Functional Diagnostics, Representative Head of the Colorectal Center for Children and Adolescents (CORE)
Thoracic Surgery, Visceral Surgery
Dr Anthony di Natale
Senior Physician
Visceral Surgery, Thoracic Surgery
Dr Andrea Lehmann
Senior Physician
Visceral Surgery
Dr Hannah R. Neeser
Senior Physician
Visceral Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Fetal Surgery
Extras
The Universitäts-Kinderspital Zurich is accommodated in a new building designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron, comprising two complexes (an acute care hospital and a research building). The new buildings were completed and opened in November 2024.
The new building is particularly family-friendly. The focus is on patients and their families. Various professional groups (doctors, nurses, therapists, nutritionists, social workers, psychologists, pastoral care, and guest relation teams) are available to families to address their concerns. The four hospital clowns, employed by the hospital, are part of the multi-professional treatment team and accompany sick children and their families throughout their treatment.
The eight wards are organized in a ring structure on the top floor. The comfortably furnished rooms – some with a view of Lake Zurich – look like small houses from the outside, where children can find the peace and quiet they need to recover. Each ward has single or double rooms of various sizes, lounges for parents, playrooms for children, and lounges where they can retire.
A wide range of food and drinks are available from morning to evening in the various restaurants and cafés.
Location
Transport Connections
| Zurich Main Station | 4 km |
| Zurich Airport | 14 km |
| Basel Airport | 96 km |
| Bern Belp Airport | 149 km |
| Geneva Airport | 288 km |
Information about Zurich
The capital of the canton of the same name is also the largest city in Switzerland. Geographically it is located north in eastern Switzerland. Zurich is situated on the Limmat River, directly at the outflow of Lake Zurich, and is thus also called the "Limmat City." Economically, socially and scientifically, Zurich is considered the center of Switzerland. Therefore, large banks, many media companies, and international companies are located there, and at the same time, the cultural offer is rich. The well-known Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ) gives Zurich an international name in educational institutions.
