Focus

Beyond the scalpel

From a metabolic point of view, the stress of surgery on the human body is comparable to the stress induced by running a marathon. No unfit, malnourished, elderly person would ever agree to participate. With surgery, they do not have a choice. Prehabilitation can help them to prepare.

A brief overview of evidence-based measures for Swiss surgeons

In the last four decades, immunonutrition has gained increasing attention for its potential to mitigate the surgical stress response and enhance host defense mechanisms (1). 

The concept of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) represents a fundamental advancement in the perioperative care of surgical patients. 

Beyond the Scalpel: Perioperative Medicine in Focus

De-resuscitation refers to active removal of excess fluid following major surgery once initial resuscitation goals are met. 

An overview with a focus on preoperative anemia treatment

Focus "Rectal cancer": securing excellence beyond the scalpel

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the most prevalent and lethal malignancies in Switzerland (1). The lifetime-risk of developing CRC is around 4-5% in women and men (2). Early detection of pre-cancerous lesions or early-stage CRC through an effective and high-quality screening program and regular surveillance post-treatment are essential.

For nearly two decades, the standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) involved chemoradiation therapy (CRT) followed by surgery and optional additional chemotherapy. 

If there were no hospitals in Switzerland yet and we could plan a hospital system from scratch, what would it look like?