Prof. Dr. med. Dr. med. habil. Thomas M. Freiman

Professor Freiman studied medicine in Frankfurt am Main, Heidelberg and Boston (Harvard).

He completed his specialist training in neurosurgery under Prof. Dr. Zentner at Freiburg University Hospital. Here, he became involved in brain research in the field of epilepsy at an early stage. Prof. Freiman was appointed Project Leader of a collaborative research center by the German Research Foundation, and has received numerous prizes and awards. This excellent research activity enabled Prof. Freiman to obtain his habilitation/venia legendi/teaching license for neurosurgery at the University of Freiburg.

In 2013, Prof. Freiman moved to the position of Senior Consultant at the University Hospital Frankfurt (Director Prof. Dr. Seifert), and became Deputy Director of the Epilepsy Center (Director Prof. Dr. Rosenow).

In 2020, he was appointed Professor of Neurosurgery at the University Hospital of Rostock and Director of the Clinic and Polyclinic for Neurosurgery.

Prof. Dr. Freiman's expertise extends beyond spinal surgery to include head and brain neurosurgery for adults and children. Here, the clinic has a track record of performing high-precision operations, from the removal of brain tumors in adults and children and anomalies, to vascular anomalies and operations for epilepsy. His expertise also extends to the field of robotics and neuromodulation, where techniques – such as brain and spinal cord stimulation – are used to treat various neurological conditions.

With numerous awards, including European Diplomas in Neurosurgery and Pediatric Neurosurgery, as well as the Epilepsy Surgery Certificate, Prof. Dr. Freiman's credentials are impressive. However, it is his unwavering commitment to his patients and his passion for advancing the field of neurosurgery that truly set him apart. For all those seeking exceptional neurological care, Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Dr. med. habil. Thomas M. Freiman stands for expertise, compassion and innovation.

Key information about the Department of Neurosurgery at University Hospital of Rostock

The University of Rostock was founded in 1419, and is the third oldest university in Germany and the oldest university in north-eastern Europe. True to the university motto, tradition and innovation, the Clinic for Neurosurgery serves the population of Rostock and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the many tourists in the region and national and international patients as a maximum care provider and center of outstanding medical services.

The Rostock University Hospital Department of Neurosurgery is located in an extremely attractive region; it is not for nothing that the Baltic Sea coast is one of the most popular vacation regions in Germany. Partly due to the leading role of university medicine, the region around Rostock has developed into a technology and vacation region that attracts not only young people and families, but also older people who, after a busy life, choose the area as their new home.

As the future promises growth and development, the clinic has taken the responsibility to ensure that state-of-the-art medical care is accessible to all, and provides the best possible care according to international standards. The clinic attaches great importance to a comprehensive approach to patient care and relies on modern technology and innovative treatment methods all year round, including robot-assisted operations. Prof. Dr. Freiman and his team offer a wide range of therapies, from conservative to surgical interventions.


Interdisciplinary collaboration and first-class patient care

Several disciplines within Rostock University Medicine work seamlessly together, including neuroradiology, neuroanesthesia, intensive care, pathology, oncology, radiotherapy, neuropsychology, pediatrics and specialized nursing staff, to achieve the best possible results. This approach is particularly important in the treatment of neurooncological diseases and children, and demonstrates the clinic's commitment to holistic and patient-centered care.


Spinal surgery

One of the hallmarks of the Neurosurgery Clinic is spinal surgery. From the treatment of common conditions such as herniated discs and spinal stenosis to the management of complex spinal and spinal cord disorders, Prof. Dr. Freiman's expertise is impressive. The
clinic has a range of state-of-the-art equipment and techniques, including surgical microscopes, spinal neuronavigation and endoscopy, as well as intraoperative continuous neurophysiological monitoring to ensure optimal outcomes.


Brain tumors (neurooncology)

The treatment of brain tumors is a focus of the clinic. Brain tumors are treated using the most modern methods. High-performance surgical microscopes with neuronavigation are used for this purpose. Brain tumors are stained with fluorescent dye (5-ALA) and visualized under a microscope using special light. Particularly in cases where tumors have to be removed from functionally important areas, special (and very extensive) intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring is used to enable safe removal of the tumor while preserving natural brain function.

Tumors of the pituitary gland – hypophysis

Tumors of the pituitary gland are operated on in the clinic, if possible, using minimally invasive surgery through the nose. Detailed clarification of the many hormones regulated by the pituitary gland is carried out in close cooperation with a highly specialized team of endocrinologists at the University Medical Center.


Movement disorders – Parkinson's disease

The clinic possesses many years of expertise in the treatment of movement disorders (dystonia, tremor, Parkinson's disease) and the implantation of pain and spasticity pumps, as well as spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain and the implantation of vagus nerve stimulators for epilepsy and depression. Computer-assisted target point planning of the deep brain stimulation probe is necessary for many interventions. At the Clinic for Neurosurgery, these fine electrodes are implanted with high precision and millimeter accuracy into the diseased brain region, where they lead to a normalization of movement through electrical impulses.

Epilepsy surgery

In the field of epilepsy surgery, the Clinic for Neurosurgery boasts state-of-the-art facilities in the form of minimally invasive electrode implantation and microsurgical resection procedures with intraoperative imaging using neuronavigation and electrophysiological monitoring. Prof. Dr. Thomas Freiman has many years of clinical and academic expertise spanning the entire field of epilepsy surgery, including the surgical technique of selective amygdalohippocampectomy and hemispherotomy.

Cerebral hemorrhage – Vascular malformation – Aneurysm

Bleeding of the brain or spinal cord can have different causes. Vascular malformations such
as cavernomas, arterio-venous malformations (AVMs, angiomas), AV fistulas or aneurysms are often the cause. The Clinic for Neurosurgery provides emergency care for brain hemorrhages in the region. The aim is to define an effective and low-risk overall concept for all patients. If it is possible to close the vascular malformation using a catheter (coiling/stenting/embolization), this can be carried out in collaboration with neuroradiology. If the treatment has to be carried out by surgery, patient safety is also the top priority here. The Department of Neurosurgery has all the latest procedures for performing microsurgery with intraoperative imaging (ICG fluorescence angiography, neuronavigation, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring).

Pediatric neurosurgery

Pediatric neurosurgery is an important focus area, and includes the treatment of childhood brain tumors, hydrocephalus, epilepsy, spinal malformations, pediatric traumatology and craniosynostosis. During the entire inpatient and outpatient treatment, as well as the long-term aftercare of our young patients, we attach great importance to close contact with the parents and the pediatricians treating them. Treating children requires a high degree of responsibility and surgical skills. Prof. Dr. Thomas Freiman has many years of clinical and scientific expertise, and is both a nationally and internationally renowned expert in the field of pediatric neurosurgery.

Robotic neurosurgery

The surgical robot (ROSA, Robotic Surgical Assistant) can be used for partial steps in stereotactic or endoscopic interventions, brain interventions or screw implantations in the spine, and enables incredible precision in minimally invasive forms of surgery. Prof. Dr. Freiman is a pioneer of robotic neurosurgery. He was the first to use this robot for neurosurgical operations at a German university hospital while working in Frankfurt am Main.