TREATMENT PATHWAY

Careful surgical planning is of particular importance in minimally invasive neurosurgery and requires outstanding surgery-focused diagnostics. Imaging examinations are often numerous, which guarantees not only an exact diagnosis or confirmation of diagnosis, but also gives details of the disease and the adjacent structures with millimetric precision. In complex cases, using modern image processing systems we can take a virtual look into the depths of the brain and simulate the procedure step by step. This allows us to determine the position and size of the individual cranial opening or spinal access, thus reducing the risk of injury to healthy and functionally important tissue. Smaller accesses allow for individual and cosmetically attractive incisions with minimal or no shaving: even in the eyebrow or through the nose.

This type of individualised access incision requires the personal presence of the lead neurosurgeon from the outset and further enhances the quality of treatment.

Most neurosurgical operations are performed under inpatient conditions. The patient is usually admitted on the day before the operation. The first point of contact is the reception desk in the entrance area of the clinic. After the patient’s details have been taken, they will be accompanied to the ward and admitted by the nursing staff. The patient will have an opportunity to discuss any pre-treatment questions with the anesthesiologist and neurosurgeon. For legal reasons, written consent to anaesthesia and surgery is required no later than this time. It is important to us that every patient goes into the operation with a good feeling and that they are willing to bear the risks discussed. In case of doubt, it is preferable to postpone the procedure so that any outstanding issues can be fully clarified. 

We guarantee our patients will receive personal care from Professor Reisch and/or Professor Hopf. That might sound obvious, but it is by no means standard in all treatment centres and is thus worth mentioning. Personal care includes being present during the positioning, technical preparation (neuronal navigation, intraoperative imaging if necessary) and when creating the surgical access. The extremely small, minimally invasive entrances require not only meticulous planning, but also reliable implementation.

Even when the skin is sutured, the personal care path is not yet complete. All patients are personally cared for by our team even after the operation. For the benefit of our patients, we work in close collaboration with highly qualified specialists from other disciplines. This interdisciplinary cooperation is a guarantee of safety from the first contact on admission until discharge and throughout the aftercare process. Klinik Hirslanden offers all the amenities of a state-of-the-art acute care hospital with the ambience of an attractive private clinic, around the clock.

In the case of minor procedures and outpatient operations, the patient will be admitted to the day clinic on the date of the operation. A timely and calm presentation is essential, and everyone involved will be given timely and detailed information. After outpatient surgery, sufficient time should be allowed for postoperative monitoring. Usually this is 2 hours. The focus here is on the circulatory function and possible allergic reactions to drugs and materials. In addition, the patient should not drive after having a general anaesthetic on the same day. Before leaving the centre, the patient will have a conversation with the neurosurgeon, so that the surgical procedure and necessary patient behaviours can be explained, and so that any other questions can be answered.