Abdominal, tumour and robotic surgery

Dr. med. René Vonlanthen / M.H.A.

Doctor, surgeon


FMH Surgery - specializing in visceral surgery

I completed my medical studies at the Universities of Fribourg and Bern. I started my further training at the Inselspital Bern (under Prof. Dr. M. W. Büchler) and continued at the University Hospital Zurich. After a two-year stay at the Fribourg hospitals as part of the advanced training program, I returned to the University Hospital as a senior physician in 2005. Parallel to my clinical work, I completed a postgraduate degree in Healthcare Management at the University of Bern (NDSMiG), which I completed with a Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.). I was put in charge of the general visceral surgery team in 2009 and shortly afterwards was also appointed Head of the HIPEC program and Program Director. My appointment as Chief Physician and Deputy Clinic Director in 2014 was followed by a further eight years of intensive and successful collaboration with Prof. Dr. P.-A. Clavien and the team.

Focus area Abdominal wall reconstruction (with functional and aesthetic aspects), hernia surgery, tumor surgery including hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and advice on management issues in the healthcare sector

Languages German, French, English

Career

2022-today vivévis AG - Partner and member of the Board of Directors, partner physician Hirslanden Klinik im Park, Klinik Hirslanden and Hirslanden Klinik Aarau
2005-2022 University Hospital Zurich, Clinic for Visceral and Transplant Surgery Senior Physician, from 1.7.2014 Senior Physician and Deputy Clinic Director
2004-2005 Hôpital Sud Fribourgeois, Clinic for Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Assistant Physician
2003-2004 Cantonal Hospital Fribourg, Clinic for Surgery, Senior Physician
2000-2003 University Hospital Zurich, Clinic for Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Assistant Physician, from 1.1.2002 Senior Assistant/Senior Physician iV
1998-2000 Inselspital Bern, Clinic for Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Resident
1997-1998 CMU Genève, Clinic for Clinical Pathology, Assistant Physician
1996-1997 Inselspital Bern, Clinic for Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Resident

Diplomas

09/2022 Examination specializing in visceral surgery
11/2011 Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.), University of Bern
11/2005 Specialist in Surgery (FMH)
10/2005 Doctorate, University of Berne
12/1995 Diploma as a doctor of the Swiss Confederation

Research

My special clinical and scientific interests lie in hernia surgery, complex abdominal wall reconstructions and oncological surgery as well as health economic and legal issues. This is reflected in this selection of publications:


  • Blurring the boundary between open abdomen treatment and ventral hernia repair. Käser SA, Brosi P, Clavien PA, Vonlanthen R. Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2019 Jun;404(4):489-494.
  • [Complex Hernia Repair]. Käser SA, Plock J, Vonlanthen R. Ther Umsch. 2019;76(10):575-578.
  • Toward a Consensus on Centralization in Surgery. Vonlanthen R. et al. Ann Surg. 2018 Nov;268(5):712-724.
  • Cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC: a curative strategy for primary and secondary peritoneal tumors]. Lehmann K, Gertsch P, Vonlanthen R. Praxis. 2013 Jul 24;102(15):913-8.
  • What factors affect mortality after surgery? Vonlanthen R. et al. Lancet. 2012 Sep 22;380(9847):1034-6.
  • The impact of complications on costs of major surgical procedures: a cost analysis of 1200 patients. Vonlanthen R. et al. Ann Surg. 2011 Dec;254(6):907-13.

You can find an overview of the publications here:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=vonlanthen+r

Awards

  • Challenge in HSM Award 2018
  • Department Leadership Award 2016
  • Challenge in HSM Award 2013
  • Best Teacher of the Year (elected by residents) 2010
  • Innovation Award for Contributions to the Reputation of the Clinic 2007