Hans-Peter Simmen MD
Professor and Chair

The Division of Trauma Surgery is the only academic institution of its kind in Switzerland and covers the entire spectrum of trauma surgery providing comprehensive care for the injured patient. Close cooperation with other disciplines, especially reconstructive surgery, maxillofacial surgery, and neurosurgery as well as the surgical intensive care units guarantees optimal treatment. The high number of patients with multiple trauma injuries is also reflected in the clinical and experimental research. Patients with fractures adjacent to joints and those with pelvic injuries benefit in particular from the continuous development of minimally invasive and computer-assisted surgery.

The Division of Trauma Surgery is a referral centre for seriously injured patients with multiple trauma injuries, craniocerebral trauma, and pelvic and spinal injuries. The division has a Surgical Emergency and Admission Ward, an Emergency Operation Room with a Shock Room as well as an Intensive Care Unit and a Ward. The interdisciplinary treatment of trauma patients has a long tradition in the Division of Trauma Surgery. Cooperation with other divisions enables comprehensive trauma treatment with outstanding results. A model for interdisciplinary collaboration is the Centre for Spinal Column and Spinal Surgery, where trauma surgery, orthopaedic and neurosurgery specialists work together. In addition to the internationally-renowned treatment of trauma patients, the division has introduced innovative techniques and performed clinical studies on new implants and bone replacement products. The research focuses on the intensive care treatment of the severely injured patients, the role of microvascularisation, angiogenesis, and immune response as well as the abdominal compartment syndrome.

Areas of Specialization:

• All kinds of injuries
• Fractures
• Multiple trauma
• Craniocerebral trauma
• Pelvic and spinal column injuries