Department of General and Oncological Surgery

For many years, the Department of General and Oncological Surgery has been known for professionally performed surgical procedures using laparoscopic and classic techniques. Our patients are treated with the use of the latest surgical techniques and tools produced by renowned global companies. We are the only hospital in the Lesser Poland province using only laparoscopic devices based on 4K technology (Ultra HD), thanks to which the image displayed on the monitor screen during an operation is 4 times more accurate than the picture obtained in the HD technology and 16 times more accurate than the image produced in the standard definition technology. This exceptional quality translates into better accuracy of the treatments. Excellent equipment and a modern approach to surgical treatment allow our doctors to minimize perioperative complications. Patients are managed in accordance with the ERAS perioperative protocol, the effectiveness of which has been proven in many scientific studies.

We treat over 2500 patients a year, last year (2020) we performed approximately 2.100 surgical procedures. We have had the gallbladder laparoscopically removed in over 600 patients, in over 200 patients, we performed a laparoscopic operation to treat malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract; almost 800 people were treated for abdominal hernia using the classic and laparoscopic method. Thanks to our modern approach, the average hospitalization time is one day for non-oncological patients and about 4 days for oncological patients. The incidence of infectious complications is below 2%, which means that our Ward is uninfected and safe.

The Department of General and Oncological Surgery was one of the first in Krakow to begin the routine laparoscopic excision of the gallbladder. Currently, these treatments are standard practice around the world. Excellent surgical equipment, the latest laparoscopic technology and over 20 years of experience in performing this type of procedure minimize the risk of perioperative complications, which is translated into good treatment results. Our doctors are active members of the European Association of Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), members of the Hernia Section of the Society of Polish Surgeons and the European Hernia Society (EHS). Constant improvement of qualifications and publication of our own studies prove the competence of our doctors in this field and ensure the safety of patients.

Operations of inguinal and abdominal hernia are performed using a voltage-free technique with sewing in a plastic mesh, in accordance with the European and world standards for hernia treatment. Currently, more and more of these surgeries are performed using the laparoscopic method.

Oncological patients treated in our Department are covered by comprehensive care, with the method of treatment decided by a council of specialists in oncological surgery, radiotherapy and clinical oncology. Each time, the method of treatment is selected in accordance with the guidelines developed by the Polish Union of Oncology and current recommendations of international scientific societies. We perform surgical procedures to treat malignancies of the digestive tract and endocrine glands. Cancer of the colon and rectum is treated using the laparoscopic method, which minimizes pain and shortens the postoperative hospital stay, while ensuring fully radical oncological treatment. As in most renowned centres, adrenal tumours are operated using the laparoscopic method. The choice of the method of treatment of gastric cancer and pancreatic cancer depends on the stage of the disease, with gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) operated laparoscopically. Thyroid cancer is treated in a classic way, with fully radical excision and minimization of complications. The Department employs three specialists in oncological surgery, members of the Polish Society of Surgical Oncology and the European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO). The Department also employs doctors, members of the most prestigious surgical societies in the world – the American College of Surgeons and the International Society of Surgery.

Our department closely cooperates with the diagnostic laboratories of our Hospital, including the Endoscopy Laboratory, the Ultrasound Laboratory and Computed Tomography Laboratory providing patients with a wide range of diagnostic examinations and highly specialized comprehensive treatment.

The fully professional, yet cordial and warm approach of our Nurses has been highly appreciated by patients and their families. This is evidenced by the opinions expressed in patient satisfaction surveys.

The department, which was renovated in 2017, has 26 beds, including 4 intensive care beds. It has 10 patient rooms with hygienic and sanitary rooms with bathrooms, a diagnostic and treatment room, an intensive care room, isolation rooms with a sanitary lock and rest and refreshment facilities. All patient rooms are air-conditioned. It is not only a modern look and a high functional standard, but above all, an improvement in the quality of services provided to our Patients and better working conditions for our medical personnel.

Free Internet access is available throughout the hospital grounds.

Patients are admitted to our Department under an agreement with the National Health Fund.

See the admission procedure to the Department.

Information and contact: Hospital building A, 1st floor – Lift I.

Head of the Department: Mirosław Szura, MD, PhD, Professor of the Jagiellonian University Deputy Head: Rafal Solecki, MD, PhD

Head nurse: Monika Kaczorowska

Reception desk: 12 379 71 45

Physicians’ duty-room: 12 379 71 48

Nurse’s station: 12 379 71 50

E-mail: ocho@bonifratrzy.krakow.pl