Half of the world’s oesophageal cancer cases in just one country

With a population of around 1.4 billion (as of 2018) and a size of approximately 9.6 million square kilometres, China is the most populous country in the world and approximately 233 times larger than Switzerland. These incredible figures alone show that this is a country with huge potential in all kinds of areas.

Among the less pleasant statistics is the fact that the People’s Republic of China alone accounts for more than half of all oesophageal cancer cases worldwide. In general, this disease is much more widespread in Asia than in Europe, for example.

The unusually high incidence of oesophageal cancer in China was one of the reasons for holding the 2019 OESO World Congress in Beijing for the first time ever, rather than in Europe or the USA. The OESO is a medical society made up of leading surgeons, gastroenterologists, pathologists, radiologists and other professionals in the field of oesophagus and stomach. Prof. Dr. Jörg Zehetner, who offers a specialised range of services for reflux diseases and bariatrics in Switzerland with the Swiss1Chirugie locations in Bern, Brig and Solothurn, is one of these specialists with high recognition worldwide.

 

 

Exchange of experience and knowledge every minute

What was particularly interesting about the organisation of the OESO World Congress in Beijing 2019 was that in the main part, technical presentations were each only five minutes long, each followed by a discussion that was also five minutes long. This gave the opportunity to exchange and discuss a lot of expertise within a short time.

This not only encourages the exchange of scientific expertise and opinions. Ideas for new studies are also conceived quite quickly and compactly in this way and can then be further refined later.

Dr Jörg Zehetner was a sought-after expert

In addition to the lectures and opinion pieces of his professional colleagues, Dr. Jörg Zehetner was also a sought-after subject matter expert. His experience from many years of work in the United States and his specialisation in upper GI diseases were just the right profile for a lively exchange with his colleagues.

Topics such as oesophageal cancer, stomach cancer, reflux diseases and diaphragmatic hernias also played an important role in the professional exchange with colleagues. The interactions and complementarities of bariatric and reflux surgery, especially in operations of the oesophagus, stomach and intestine, are a broad field that did not lack a great deal of attention at this year’s OESO Congress.

In a special lecture, Dr Zehetner addressed the topic of the size of the hiatal hernia and the choice of surgical procedure.

The focus was on selecting the most suitable surgical procedure for the individual. Dr Zehetner, who is the only surgeon in Switzerland who is versed in all currently known surgical procedures in this field, emphasised that decision-making must always take place together with the patient if long-term success is to be ensured. Conventional gastric sleeves, partial fundoplication, variants with partial removal of the stomach, LINX reflux management system (magnetic ring), electrical stimulation with Endostim or the new reflux stop system are a selection of methods that must always be chosen well-considered and based on the patient.

Dr. Jörg Zehetner is one of the world’s recognised experts in the field of diaphragmatic hernia and reflux surgery and has published several articles on the subject. Accordingly, the corresponding lecture was listened to with pleasure and followed attentively.

For Dr. Zehetner, it is important in every case to carefully weigh up every intervention and always make a decision in the best interests of the patient. Sometimes, drug treatment may take precedence, as not every patient is suitable for surgery per se. This decision can only be made in discussion with the expert. In the run-up to this, a good counselling interview, a targeted diagnosis and the prognosis for healing are important stages.

Swiss1Chirurgie, with its locations in Bern, Brig and Solothurn, offers such expertise for all patients undergoing bariatric surgery or therapy for reflux disease, abdominal hernias and similar complaints. You can also find out what Swiss1Chirurgie with Dr Jörg Zehetner can do at www.swiss1chirurgie.ch and, of course, always in personal contact with the medical specialists.