Expertise

Visceral surgery focuses on the treatment of diseases of the abdominal organs. Dr. Olga Meier is an experienced surgeon specialised in visceral surgery. The following sections present her main areas of expertise.

Minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery

We routinely use the gentlest methods of surgery. They ensure faster recovery and minimise the negative effects associated with the operation. The main goal of minimally invasive surgery is to perform operations while preserving the original surgical technique and at the same time minimising trauma for the patient.

In our daily practice we use both traditional minimally invasive (laparoscopic) techniques and the most modern approaches, in which surgical robotic systems (Intuitive da Vinci 5) are deployed.

Robot-assisted surgery

For certain procedures we use a state-of-the-art surgical robot (Intuitive Da Vinci 5).

As in laparoscopy, the operation is performed through small incisions with a camera and micro-instruments, but the instruments are held and moved by a robotic system. The surgeon controls the instruments and the camera from a console via special handles that direct the robot arms.

The surgical robot offers additional benefits for complex procedures requiring particular precision and maximum control by the surgeon — for example certain operations on the oesophagus, rectum or pancreas.

Compared with classical laparoscopic techniques, the surgical robot offers high-resolution 3D imaging, higher precision in instrument movement and, above all, a greater range of motion of the instruments. This means that some operations that would otherwise require a large abdominal or thoracic incision can be performed with a minimally invasive technique.

In addition, the ergonomics of the surgeon’s work are significantly improved when using the robot, allowing maximum concentration on the surgical intervention.

Open surgery

Open surgery is a traditional surgical technique in which a large incision provides direct access to the organ being operated on. This treatment method has been refined and applied throughout the history of humankind and represents the benchmark for other, more modern surgical techniques.

It is suitable for practically every kind of operation — from the removal of organs in cancer or inflammatory disease to the repair of damaged tissue in traumatic injuries.

Unlike minimally invasive surgery, in which small incisions and specialised instruments are used, open surgery gives the surgeon direct visualisation and physical access to the target area.

Open surgery may be required in complex cases when broader, direct access to the affected organ is necessary and when tactile assessment of the organ — which is impossible with other methods — is needed. Mastering this approach is the foundation for safe, less-invasive interventions. In the case of serious complications that may arise during or after surgery, this method can save the patient’s life.