Imhof, Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. Michael

Endocrine surgery:

Endocrine surgery attends to diseases of endocrine organs, i.e. the thryoid, parathyroid and adrenal glands. In endocrine surgery, various methods are used.

Thyroid disorders
The thyroid gland is located at the throat below the larynx. It controls many processes within the body and produces vitally important hormones. Via their central effect in the brain, it also regulates body temperature, water balance, and oxygen consumption. In case of a thyroid disorder, the hormonal balance is disturbed. Hypofunction may lead to tiredness or depression for example.

Parathyroid disorders

Functional disorders of the parathyroid gland often lead to disturbed calcium metabolism. This may result in kidney stones or bone diseases. If the parathyroid glands are affected by benign hypertrophy, the hormone regulating the plasma calcium level is produced in increased quantity. By surgically removing the parathyroids, hormone release and thus the calcium level are normalised.

Adrenal gland disorders

The adrenal glands are located on the upper poles of both kidneys. They produce various hormones such as steroidal hormones, adrenalin and noradrenalin. In addition, they are involved in the water, mineral and glucose metabolisms. Due to the large number of hormones produced in the adrenal gland, multiple medical conditions may occur in case of adrenal gland disorders.

Abdominal surgery:

Abdominal surgery comprises interventions in the abdominal area. Diseases of internal organs are surgically treated. During the past two decades, minimally invasive procedures have become a firmly established and proven standard in abdominal surgery.

Inguinal hernia:
Inguinal herniae are surgically treated using a minimally invasive technique. Compared to other minimally invasive procedures, transabdominal pre-peritoneal plasty (TAPP) offers the advantage that insight into the abdominal cavity may be gained. The organs may be superficially examined for potential abnormalities.

Using the TAPP technique, the opposite side of the hernia to be surgically treated may be viewed and, in case there should be another hernia, treated simultaneously without any additional cuts. With this method, a plastic mesh is inserted in front of the hernia opening.

Abdominal wall and scar herniae:

Abdominal wall and scar herniae are surgically treated using three small skin cuts in keyhole technique. Potential adhesions may be resolved prior to the main surgery at the same time. A specific mesh, the so-called intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM), which cannot adhere to the organs is placed in front of the hernia opening.

Reflux disease:

By reconstructing the valve function at the transition between stomach and esophagus, the causes of the disease may be treated. Using a minimally invasive technique, the esophagus is ensheathed by the upper stomach portion. Insertion of a plastic mesh is not required.

Adhesions:

Following both conventional and minimally invasive surgery, adhesions in the abdominal cavity may occur which might lead to heavy and sometimes colicky pain and negatively affect digestion and also the ability to become pregnant. After excluding organic causes, the adhesions may be removed in a minimally invasive manner.

Gallstones:
Removal of the gall bladder in case of stone formation is performed using a keyhole technique as well. With women, surgery may be performed via natural orifices, if requested (natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, NOTES).

Acute or chronic appendicitis:

Removal of the appendix in case of acute or chronic inflammation is performed via three minuscule skin cuts. Like with removal of the gall bladder, the intervention may be performed via natural orifices with women (natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, NOTES).

• 1986 Medical doctorate at Eberhard-Karls University Tübingen
• 1997 Post-doctorate and conferring of the authorisation to teach Surgery at Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf

• 1985-1987 Surgical University Clinic Ulm (Prof. Dr. H.-G. Beger)
• 1987-1991 Clinic for General and Trauma Surgery, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf (Prof. Dr. H.-D. Röher)
• 1991-1992 Berufsgenossenschaftliche Krankenanstalten Bergmannsheil Bochum (Prof. Dr. G. Muhr)
• 1992 General surgeon
• 1992 - 1999 Clinik for General and Trauma Surgery, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf (Prof. Dr. H.-D. Röher)
• 1994 Senior Physician at the Clinic for General and Trauma Surgery, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf (Prof. Dr. H.-D. Röher)
• 1997 Post-doctorate and conferring of the authorisation to teach Surgery at the Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf
• 1999 - 2004 Chief Physician at the Clinic for General, Visceral and Trauma  Surgery, St. Vinzenz Hospital Düsseldorf
• 2005 - 2009 Chief Physician at the Clinic for General, Visceral and Trauma Surgery, Malteser Hospital St. Hildegardis Cologne

• 1993 Physician in emergency service
• 1994 Specialisation in Trauma Surgery
• 1994 Seminar leader of the German Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ultraschall in der Medizin, DEGUM)
• 1999 Specialisation in Visceral Surgery

* 2007 Additional qualification in Special Trauma Surgery

• BDC (Berufsverband Deutscher Chirurgen / Professional Association of German Surgeons)
• DGAV (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgie / German Society for General and Visceral Surgery)
• CAEK (Chirurgische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Endokrinologie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Viszeralchirurgie / Surgical Workgroup for Endocrinology of the German Society  for Visceral Surgery )
• CAMIC (Chirurgische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Minimal Invasive Chirurgie  / Surgical Workgroup for Minimally Invasive Surgery)
• CAES (Chirurgische Arbeitsgemeinschaft Endoskopie und Sonographie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für -Viszeralchirurgie / Surgical Workgroup for Endoscopy and Sonography of the German Society for Visceral Surgery)
• DEGUM (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ultraschall in der Medizin / German Society for Ultrasound in Medicine)
• DGOU (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie / German Society for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery)
• Professional association of physicians working for employers' liability insurance associations
• KLK (Konvent leitender Krankenhauschirurgen / Convention of Leading Hospital Surgeons)
• VLK (Verband der leitenden Krankenhausärzte Deutschlands / Association of Leading German Hospital Physicians)
• Association of Surgeons in the Lower Rhine / Westphalia Area