Visceral Surgery Zurich: Specialist Prof. Dr. med. Rolf Schlumpf

Prof. Dr. med. Rolf Schlumpf is a specialist in visceral surgery with a focus on visceral tumor surgery, bariatric surgery (adiposity surgery), and thoracic surgery. He surgically treats internal organs of the abdominal and thoracic cavity. To guarantee an optimal result under the best possible care, Prof. Schlumpf works together with professionals in a wide range of specialized fields. In addition to surgery, this interdisciplinary team includes radiology, gastroenterology, oncology, and anesthesia., which ensures the best possible care for the patient.

Worldwide  Accepted Specialist for Visceral Surgery in Zurich

Prof. Schlumpf is one of the leading and globally recognized specialists in the field of visceral surgery. In 1995, Prof. Schlumpf introduced the laparoscopically inserted, adjustable gastric band in Switzerland. He looks back on more than 30 years of experience in the field of visceral surgery. He has received many awards for his research, e.g., the "1st Prize for Outstanding Experimental Research at the 5th Congress of the Union of Swiss Surgical Societies, Lucerne". Professor Schlumpf became the head physician of the surgery department at the Cantonal Hospital Aarau in 1997 and partner of the "Chirurgisches Zentrum Zürich" at the Hirslanden Clinic in 2012.

Broad Surgical Spectrum with a Focus on Tumor Surgery, Visceral Surgery, and Obesity surgery

Professor Schlumpf's broad surgical spectrum guarantees comprehensive care. Besides his work as a partner of the Zurich surgical center at the Hirslanden Clinic, Prof. Rolf B. Schlumpf also works part-time as head physician at Männedorf Hospital. Patients benefit from this successful collaboration between the two clinics, and a new standard has been set in complex visceral surgery, thoracic surgery, and tumor surgery, Professor Schlumpf's main areas of expertise.

Subareas of Visceral Surgery

Visceral surgery, also known as abdominal surgery, can be divided into different areas such as pancreatic surgery (surgery of the pancreas), liver surgery, esophageal surgery (surgery of the esophagus), hernia surgery (surgery of abdominal wall hernias), obesity surgery, and intestinal surgery, in each of which an interdisciplinary team treats benign and malignant diseases. Since Prof. Schlumpf is a designated specialist not only for visceral surgery but also for thoracic surgery, he can cover this interdisciplinary spectrum and perform even very complicated surgery safely, prudently, and with low risk for the patient.

Intestinal Specialist with Focus on Intestinal Surgery for Colorectal Cancer

One of Prof. Schlumpf's areas of expertise is intestinal surgery, which deals primarily with malignant diseases such as colon cancer. This is the last section of the intestine that enters the anus. If carcinogenic changes are noticed there, surgical treatment is inevitable. During the surgery, Prof. Schlumpf removes the affected parts of the intestine.

Before the surgery, Prof. Schlumpf discusses each case of a cancer patient in detail in a tumor board meeting. This weekly interdisciplinary meeting at the Clinic for Visceral Surgery Zurich is attended by specialists from other departments who cover all aspects of treatment. The well-respected specialist in surgery meets with radiologists, gastroenterologists, oncologists, anesthetists, and nuclear medicine specialists to discuss the most appropriate treatment for the patient in that meeting. This ensures that all the important aspects are taken into account when planning the individual treatment concept.

Prof. Schlumpf’s Further Treatment Focuses

Visceral Surgery Zurich - Stomach and Esophagus

Surgical intervention on the stomach can be necessary for both benign and malignant tumors. Ulcers of the stomach and duodenum, which are based on defects of the mucous membrane, are also occasionally a reason for surgical intervention. In contrast to tumors, such ulcers can usually be operated on using minimally invasive keyhole surgery. A gastroscopy always precedes surgery at the Visceral Surgery Zurich for clarification, during which a tissue sample is often taken. If a malignant tumor is noticed, part of the stomach usually has to be removed.

In contrast to the stomach, the mucous membrane of the esophagus is not protected against aggressive gastric acid. In reflux disease, the digestive juices flow back into the esophagus and attack the mucous membrane. If this continues for a long time, ulcers can develop. Sometimes an upside-down stomach or a diaphragmatic hernia is responsible for the reflux of gastric acid. Esophageal cancer can also be a cause. In these cases, surgery is indicated in line with visceral surgery.

Obesity Surgery or Bariatric Surgery - Part of the Visceral Surgery Zurich

In people who are very overweight, neither radical diets, nor dietary changes, nor sport leads to permanent weight loss. A reduction of the stomach size can be beneficial and help patients with uncontrollable obesity to achieve a new quality of life and better health. Prof. Schlumpf has decades of experience in this field and has continually brought his surgical techniques to perfection over the years. A gastric bypass, which Prof. Schlumpf considers the gold standard, is suitable for most severely overweight patients.

In this bariatric procedure, a part of the stomach is immobilized. The part that absorbs food is reduced to the size of a cup after separation from the rest of the stomach. The patient can only eat small amounts of food. Besides, Prof. Schlumpf creates a kind of bypass past the duodenum, shortens intestinal passages, and creates new connections. They affect that digestive enzymes of the pancreas and bile have a much shorter effect on the food. The food is partially excreted undigested. Fewer nutrients can be absorbed - the calorie intake decreases.

Visceral Surgery of the Liver and Bile Ducts

Although the liver and bile form a single unit in terms of their function, they differ considerably in the type of disease. While surgery on the bile is usually based on gallstones, surgery on the liver is more often caused by tumors. Depending on the stage of cancer, visceral surgery involves removing parts of the liver or a liver lobe. Sometimes, Prof. Schlumpf can also treat tumors of the liver using thermal methods.

Surgery of the Pancreas

Surgical intervention on the pancreas is usually based on either an inflammation (pancreatitis) or pancreatic carcinoma. But, the formation of cysts or abscesses can also be a reason. Surgery on the pancreas is part of highly specialized medicine and requires a great deal of experience, expertise, and intuition. The Hirslanden Clinic Zurich, with specialists such as Prof. Schlumpf, offers the best conditions for this ambitious complex surgery.

Endocrine Surgery - Thyroid, Parathyroid, and Adrenal Glands

Thyroid cancer mainly develops at a young age. In most cases, complete or partial removal of the thyroid is then necessary. Likewise, an overactive thyroid or parathyroid gland can be the reason for surgery at the Zurich Visceral Surgery. The adrenal glands are also part of the endocrine system of our organism, which produces important hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. Tumors on the adrenal gland are usually benign, but typically have to be removed

Thoracic Surgery

In addition to visceral surgery, thoracic surgery is also one of Prof. Schlumpf's main areas of treatment. The main focus is on interventions on the lungs and the pleura. In most cases, malignant tumors, fluid accumulations, and pneumothorax require surgical intervention.

The Human Being is in Focus

In all surgical procedures within the scope of visceral and thoracic surgery, Prof. Schlumpf is guided by a high demand to achieve the best prognosis for his patients. To protect the patient, most surgical procedures are carried out minimally invasive (keyhole surgery) and only if necessary with the opening of the visceral cavity, which shortens recovery period - more extended hospital stays can be avoided to a large extent. The aim is always to return the patient to a healthy life as quickly as possible.

Further information about Prof. Schlumpf can be found on the website of the Hirslanden Clinic and his website.