" Dr. Reich will be at the Emma Klinik at Frankfurt, Germany at the end of September 2002. Can you post to see if anyone is interested in securing his surgery? I can assist with expediting passports, if anyone is interested.
"This is the best scenario for adhesiolysis anywere in the world!"
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Your best chance for a successful adhesiolysis procedure is with either Drs. Harry Reich and Daniel Kruschinski at Frankfurt, Germany - or with Dr. Matthias Korell at Duisburg, Germany.
* These 3 surgeons are very skilled and very experienced laparoscopic surgeons. They have logged thousands of hours in performing laparoscopic procedures; and have developed microsurgical techniques that are helping to prevent adhesion formation.
* Dr. Harry Reich has been recognized internationally as being the best laparoscopic surgeon. He is also considered to be the most ambidextrous surgeon - a quality that sets him apart from other laparoscopic surgeons.
* These 3 surgeons are able to apply the NEW adhesion barrier, SprayGel, at the conclusion of a surgical procedure. SprayGel adhesion barrier was approved in November 2001 for use by surgeons in Europe.
Since June 2002, SprayGel clinical trials are taking place throughout the United States; and it will take at least a year or more of clinical trials before Confluent Surgical will be able to seek FDA-approval for SprayGel.
* Adhesions start forming about 3 hours after surgery. To evaluate the results of the initial surgery - and to "sweep down" any adhesions that may have formed - these surgeons perform a Second Look Laparoscopy (SLL). At this early stage, adhesions are easily "swept down" - and cause little if any trauma.
Second look laparoscopies are NOT routinely offered in the United States - because the cost is prohibitive!!
* Dr. Kruschinski invented Gasless Laparoscopy, a procedure that helps prevent surgical trauma - a known cause of adhesions - to the organs in the abdominal/pelvic cavity. You can read about this procedure at: http://www.endogyn.com/. This procedure is not offered in the United States!
* Traveling to Germany for surgery isn't as expensive as one might think!! During tourist season, air fare is quite expensive; but from November 2002 to April 2003, air fare is considerably cheaper. When I went to Germany in January 2002, air fare was about 1/2 the cost of air fare purchased during the tourist season..
* Having surgery in Germany is considerably less expensive than in the United States!! Unbelieveable, but it is true!!
* Some medical insurance policies include a clause that states that the insurance company will pay a specified amount for out-of-country medical care; however, neither Medicare or Medicare will pay for out-of-country medical care.
* Planning a trip to Germany for surgery is not as complicated as one might think!! Several people have already shared information from their experiences; and as a result, this information will answer many of the questions you might have. This information - gleaned from the experience of others - will help take some of the fear out of actually traveling to Germany for surgery.
This is the best scenario: Special techniques that cause the least trauma during surgery - Gasless Laparoscopy - SprayGel adhesion barrier - Second Look Laparoscopy - as well as surgeons, who actually are adhesion specialists.
If you are interested , please contact me for information about "Planning a trip to Germany for surgery".
Helen