Prof. Dr. med. Amadeus Hornemann, M.D., MPH, PhD

When international experts talk about the greatest successes of minimally invasive surgical gynecology, his name is likely to appear: Prof. Dr. med. Amadeus Hornemann is regarded as one of the most innovative specialists in gynecology and laparoscopy worldwide. The renowned specialist, who has been Chief Physician of the Clinic for Operative Gynecology at Frankfurt's Sachsenhausen Hospital since June 2020, has repeatedly caused a stir - for example in the area of the pelvic floor, where he was the first in the world to fix uterine prolapses and combat incontinence with tendon transplants from the leg.

With Prof. Dr. med. Amadeus Hornemann, the Sachsenhausen Hospital was able to bring a very special specialist on board: The specialist, who never ceases to amaze the international medical community with his innovative forms of surgery, will add to the strength of the well-known district hospital in the Main metropolis - which fits in perfectly with the trend towards professional specialization that has become a tradition at the Frankfurt institution. Thus the Sachsenhausen Hospital, which set standards some time ago by establishing Europe's first specialist clinic for diabetics, is also considered leading in obesity surgery.

Now Prof. Hornemann, an internationally established specialist in minimally invasive gynecological surgery, has joined the team. He became particularly well known, for example, by performing the world's first ovarian surgery without visible scars - with a very special twist: he was the first doctor and researcher to come up with the idea of accessing the ovaries through the patient's stomach.

Pioneering work: world-class gynecological surgery

As early as 2012, Prof. Dr. med. Amadeus Hornemann was a true pioneer in revolutionising the field of laparoscopic gynecological surgery in Germany. He established 3D laparoscopy in Germany, which was still largely unknown at the time, by adding a whole new dimension to the previous two-dimensional transmission with a completely new camera image, and also investigated the procedure scientifically. Thanks to the 3-D image, surgeries can now be performed much more precisely - and therefore also more safely. It goes without saying that Prof. Hornemann has the appropriate - and rare - state-of-the-art equipment at Sachsenhausen Hospital.

Only recently Prof. Hornemann proved that he is also one of the leading specialists for the pelvic floor. He developed his own method for permanently repairing a uterine prolapse by transplanting a tendon from the hollow of the knee. Up until now, a plastic mesh had been used for this surgery. However, considerable complications with the materials used had led to discussions and even bans in various countries (e.g. USA or Great Britain). In addition, it turned out that a complete removal of the nets is usually no longer possible after only a short time. The body's own materials such as tendon tissue are accepted and integrated by the body.

With tendon transplantation, Prof. Hornemann can save many women from abdominal pain and bladder voiding disorders without using a plastic mesh. In 2019, Prof. Hornemann received the renowned Kurt Semm Prize of the Gynecological Endoscopy Working Group for this innovation. And in 2020, he published a highly acclaimed article in "Science Direct", the world's leading source for medical research, about another surgical world premiere: For the first time ever, incontinence could be cured by a tendon transplant.

Technically innovative - and empathetic

Despite all his inventiveness and enthusiasm for technical innovations, Prof. Dr. med. Amadeus Hornemann never loses sight of the well-being of his patients. He supports his patients from the first consultation to the surgery and aftercare - not only at the Sachsenhausen Hospital, but also at the ETHIANUM Clinic in Heidelberg. He has also worked as a visiting surgeon at several renowned clinics, for example in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia.

With his extensive experience in the field of surgical gynecology, it is therefore only natural that he should be in great demand for training specialists and as a lecturer. In addition, Prof. Hornemann treats women in need of help every year as a member of an aid organisation in Nairobi - free of charge, of course.

Prof. Dr. med. Hornemann also engages in social activities in Germany. For example, he supports social projects in Mannheim, where he offers unpaid medical assistance to prostitutes - also from his base in Frankfurt.

Minimally invasive: " keyhole surgery"

Whether in Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Kuala Lumpur or Nairobi - the focus of the specialist is and remains on minimally invasive gynecological surgery. Especially with laparoscopic procedures, the so-called keyhole technique, no large abdominal incision is necessary to reach the surgical area. After a few, very small incisions, Prof. Hornemann can view the abdominal cavity on a large screen via camera transmission. Through further incisions, he inserts tiny instruments into the abdominal cavity and can thus perform the necessary surgical steps in the abdominal cavity. There are several advantages for the patient: The risks of infection and wound pain are significantly reduced - and the healing time is significantly shortened.

However, the surgeon needs extensive surgical experience in order to precisely and safely perform such a supported procedure. Anyone who comes across Prof. Dr. med. Amadeus Hornemann in Frankfurt is lucky: he is one of less than a hundred specialists in gynecology and obstetrics in Germany who have been certified according to MIC III - i.e. at the highest certification level - by the Working Group for Gynecological Endoscopy.

In order to achieve this level as a gynecologist working in surgery, Prof. Hornemann must be able to document a large number of endoscopically performed gynecological procedures, including many complex procedures with an increased degree of difficulty - and he also must complete regular training courses and attend specialist conferences.