The Clinic for Pneumology at Hannover Medical School and BREATH, the Hannover site of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), were pleased to welcome more than 40 interested doctors from Lower Saxony and the event offered, alongside expert talks, many opportunities for discussion.
Dr. Mark Greer from the Clinic for Pneumology, together with Dr. Patrick Zardo, surgeon at the Clinic for Cardiac, Thoracic, Transplant and Vascular Surgery, reported on the interdepartmental treatment of patients with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). In a video, Dr. Zardo illustrated the minimally invasive lung volume reductions he carries out and the accompanying improvements for the patients.
Since the greatest risk factor for the development of COPD is smoking, it was felt to be appropriate that Dr. Meike Jungen, from the Specialist Practice for Pneumology & Internal Medicine in Hannover, subsequently introduced the “Smoke-Free Program“ (Rauchfrei Programm), a certified program to quit smoking, which she has recently become qualified to conduct. Particularly the registered doctors in private practices were extremely interested in this program and more information and dates regarding the tobacco withdrawal program offered by Dr. Jungen can be found under www.mhh-rauchfrei.de.
Which therapies for asthma should be used when and what information the treating pneumologist requires to come to a decision were explained by PD Dr. Hendrik Suhling from the Clinic for Pneumology in his presentation. From his experience in the Asthma Outpatient Clinic at the MHH, he was able to demonstrate examples of the various forms of asthma and their response to therapy.
To round off the evening, Dr. Christiane Mölgen from the Pulmonary Practice in Linden, described unusual asthma cases from her day-to-day practice. To conclude, she appealed for extensive discussion with the patient about the therapy targets for both the doctor and the patient. Only when these are in accordance or a compromise can be found, will the person concerned profit from the therapeutic measures.
We would like to thank all speakers for their contributions and also the sponsors from industry who made the evening possible through their financial support.

Text: BREATH/AB
Photo: BREATH/AB