Prof. Dr. Ulrich Baumgartner, Surgeon, Abdominal Surgeon, Specialist in Proctology and Surgical Intensive Care Medicine, has been the Chief Physician of the Department of General and Abdominal Surgery and the International Center for Fecal Incontinence at Emmendingen District Hospital since 2011. Prior to this, he was Chief Physician of General and Abdominal Surgery with Coloproctology at Ottobeuren District Hospital.
Fecal incontinence (the inability to control bowel movements) is a topic that patients do not like to talk about due to a feeling of shame which means that the illness remains hidden for a long time. However, around 1–3% of adults in nursing homes are affected by this and their social life is severely impaired. 47% of adults in nursing homes suffer from anal incontinence alone. The psychological stress is high and their thoughts revolve only around the uncontrollable situation of going to the toilet. Often, the condition, which is usually associated with urinary incontinence, leads to patients losing their job and to relationship problems. Urinary tract infections, muscular disorders such as multiple sclerosis or previous abdominal surgeries may cause fecal or urinary incontinence.
As an internationally renowned expert in fecal incontinence, Professor Ulrich Baumgartner has extensive experience in implantation of the "Soft Anal Band System"® artificial anal sphincter and trains proctologists from all over the world in the technique of anal band implantation.
Prof. Dr. Baumgartner’s department of general and abdominal surgery also performs all standard laparoscopic operations ("keyhole surgery") on the gall bladder, small and large intestine, appendix, abdominal wall and groin, and stomach and esophagus and also treats patients with hemorrhoids. Under the direction of Prof. Dr. med. Baumgartner the hospital was awarded the name "International Center for Proctology and Fecal Incontinence".
Prof. Dr. Baumgartner, who regularly lectures on his areas of expertise and has written numerous publications, is a member of the German Society of Surgery (DGCH), the German Society of Visceral Surgery (DGVC), the Surgical Working Group on Coloproctology (CACP) and the Counseling Center of the German Continence Society (DKG).