SpringerLink - Journal Article

DeMeester Festschrift

Rudolf Nissen (1896–1981)-Perspective

Dorothea Liebermann-Meffert^{1, 2}

(1)	Department of Surgery, Klinikum r.d. Isar, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany

(2)	Nelkenweg 4, 79112 Freiburg-Opfingen, Germany

Received: 29 April 2009 Accepted: 25 August 2009 Published online: 17 September 2009

Abstract

Introduction

Rudolf Nissen was one of the outstanding general surgeons of the last century. Between the years 1921 and 1933, he was the pupil and protégé of the famous surgeon Ferdinand Sauerbruch. He was nominated professor of surgery in 1930. Forced by the Nazi-Regime to resign his position, Nissen emigrated in 1933 first to Turkey and then in 1939 to the USA. Here, he held positions in hospitals at New York. Having been appointed to the Chair of Surgery at the University of Basle, Switzerland, he returned to Europe in 1952. Nissen was a critical prolific writer and excellent researcher, surgeon, and teacher.

Conclusion

The first successful pneumectomy and lung lobectomy in man, as well as the description of surgical pathophysiology and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, including hiatus hernia, are considered to be his most important pioneer work.

Keywords Nissen–Rossetti fundoplication - Surgery - Gastroesophageal - Reflux disease

Tom DeMeester, Festschrift, Pasadena/Los Angeles, May 16th and 17th, 2008.

Dorothea Liebermann-Meffert
Email: dliebermann-meffert@t-online.de

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