Cutting-edge Medicine in Spinal Surgery

DR. VACLAV CINK ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL SPINE CENTER AT THE WPK

Dr. Cink, you head the International Spine Center at Wiener Privatklinik (WPK). Can you tell us a little about the origins and concept of your center?

Dr. Vaclav Cink: Our center is relatively new and is aimed at both Austrian and international patients. We started with an initial test phase last summer and are now getting off to a flying start. The team of attending physicians who operate under my direction consists of experienced specialists from various disciplines. This includes surgeons specializing in spinal diseases – the patient does not have to choose between neurosurgery and orthopaedics, as both specialists are at the operating table. The focus is on minimally invasive procedures, but of course we also offer a wide range of conservative treatment options.

You mentioned that this is a team of specialists. What distinguishes the International Spine Center from other facilities?

Dr. Vaclav Cink: The key difference is the combination of highly specialized expertise and the ability to offer state-of-the-art, minimally invasive surgical techniques. Our multidisciplinary team works closely together to develop a customized treatment for each patient – be it surgical or conservative. We also attach great importance to ensuring that our patients receive intensive care after the operation. Aftercare, especially for spinal disorders, is crucial to achieving long-term results.

What makes minimally invasive surgical techniques so special and why are they beneficial for patients?

Dr. Vaclav Cink: Minimally invasive techniques primarily mean less pain for the patient, smaller incisions, shorter recovery time and fewer complications compared to conventional surgery. Spinal surgery is a comparatively young discipline and has developed rapidly; we are in a completely different position today than we were 15 years ago. We can operate with special instruments through very small access points and still work precisely and effectively. This often leads to a much faster mobilization of the patient and reduces the risk of infections or wound healing disorders.

You mentioned that not all treatments are surgical. What conservative treatment options do you offer at your center?

Dr. Vaclav Cink: We always try to avoid surgery if there are conservative alternatives. This includes, for example, drug therapy, physiotherapeutic measures, but also innovative procedures such as infiltration therapy, in which pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory drugs are applied to the affected area in a targeted manner. An experienced neurologist specializing in pain therapy is also on board. She can help with neurological complaints with special treatment concepts that often make surgery unnecessary.

What types of spinal disorders do you treat most frequently at your center?

Dr. Vaclav Cink: The most common conditions that patients come to us with are herniated discs, spinal canal stenosis and degenerative changes in the spine. But we also treat injuries and deformities. In older patients in particular, we often see conditions such as osteoporosis, which can lead to compression fractures. In younger people, on the other hand, it is more likely to be herniated discs or injuries that need to be treated.

How does the treatment and aftercare work for patients from outside Germany?

Dr. Vaclav Cink: This is a very important point, especially for our international patients. We offer comprehensive care that goes far beyond the actual procedure. This includes, for example, organizing travel, accommodation and coordinating the necessary preliminary examinations. Aftercare is either provided by us or, if the patient returns home, in close consultation with local doctors. We draw up detailed aftercare plans to ensure that patients receive the best possible care, even if they are no longer with us in Vienna.

What does the future hold for the International Spine Center? Are there any plans for expansion or new areas of focus?

Dr. Vaclav Cink: Our aim is to continuously develop the center. We want to keep our finger on the pulse of the latest research and techniques and continue to specialize in this field. In the long term, we plan to expand our team and extend our range of services, for example in the field of rehabilitation. In addition, we want to do more scientific work and publish our findings in specialist journals in order to be recognized internationally as a pioneer in spinal surgery.