Plastisch Rekonstruktive Chirurgie Schweizer Paraplegiker-Zentrum

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

The Plastic Surgery department at the Swiss Paraplegic Centre (SPC) cares for complex wounds using a range of surgical procedures. Performing over 300 operations per year, it is Switzerland’s largest centre of excellence in this field.

Plastic and reconstructive surgery as a specialism is primarily concerned with resolving soft tissue defects (skin, fatty tissue, muscle, and some bones) and problematic scars which may be caused by accidents, the removal of tumours, complications following surgery, or chronic wounds. Specific surgical techniques are used in this process, in order to restore lost function and form, and to reintegrate the patient into everyday life.

Treatment options

Our specialists

PD Dr. med. Reto Wettstein
Consulting Physician, Specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery FMH, Specialist in Hand Surgery FMH

1999-2014
Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Hand Surgery

2011
Speciality Registrar, University Hospital of Basel

2010
Lead physician, Solothurner Spitäler AG

2008
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV)/Clinique Longeraie

2006
Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève (HUG)

2004
University Hospital of Basel

1999
Centre de Chirurgie Plastique Dôle Lausanne

2000-2002 Chirurgie

2000
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV)

2002
Lucerne Cantonal Hospital

1998-Jan 2001 Research

1998
University Hospital of Bern (Prof. D. Erni)

2001
University of California, San Diego (Prof. M. Intaglietta)

Publications

Wettstein R, Savic M, Pierer G, Scheufler O, Haug M, Halter J, Gratwohl A, Baumberger M, Schaefer DJ, Kalb-ermatten DF Progenitor cell therapy for sacral pressure sore: a pilot study with a novel human chronic wound model. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2014 Jan 29;5(1):18.

Wettstein R, Tremp M, Baumberger M, Schaefer DJ, Kalbermatten DF Local flap therapy for the treatment of pressure sore wounds. Int Wound J. 2015 Oct;12(5):572-6.

Erba P, Wettstein R, Schumacher R, Schwenzer-Zimmerer K, Pierer G, Kalbermatten DF Silicone moulding for pressure sore debridement. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2010 Mar;63(3):550-3.

Erba P, Wettstein R, Tolnay M, Rieger UM, Pierer G, Kalbermatten DF Neurocutaneous sural flap in paraplegic patients. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2009 Aug;62(8):1094-8.
Dr. med. Alexander Haumer
Consulting Physician, Specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery FMH