Greek Hospital win first prize in international competition

Thessaloniki’s Theogenio anti-cancer hospital has been awarded the first prize for the best presentation of a thoracoscopic surgery at an international competition held in Cincinnati, Ohio in the United States.

The Greek surgical team from the Theogenio hospital was led by the head of the clinic G. Barbetakis, a thoracic surgeon who carried out the thoracoscopic surgery presentation.

"The implementation of advanced thoracoscopic surgery is the present and future of minimally invasive thoracic surgery. Our clinic continues the tradition it established in 2006 and offers modern therapeutic methods using cutting-edge techologies, in spite of the economic crisis, aiming at the best results for cancer patients. The award of our thoracic surgery team and the international recognition of our efforts indicates the high level of Greek medicine and makes us all proud," Dr. Barbetakis said.

Three years ago, the same clinic was designated a "Centre of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery" on a European level and also operates as an international training centre for thoracoscopic surgery.

Thoracoscopy involves the insertion of an endoscope, a narrow—diameter tube with a viewing mirror or camera attachment, through a very small incision (cut) in the chest wall. For many patients, thoracoscopy replaces thoracotomy and avoids many of the complications of open chest surgery, reducing pain, hospital stay, and recovery.