On August 8-19, 2016, Prof. Irakli Kokhreidze Associate Professor of Tbilisi State Medical University was on official visit to Innsbruck to deepen bilateralrelations and future cooperation prospects between Tbilisi State Medical University and Tyrol University Clinic the largest medical center of Tyrolean Regional Hospitals in Austria. 

The visit aimed at development and continuation of partner relationship between the clinics of Tbilisi State Medical University and Tyrol University Clinic – promoting exchange programs for students, doctors, nurses and young specialists; introduction of innovative methods for treatment and diagnostics; development of information exchange services between the university clinics – implementation of telemedicine and modern principles of multidisciplinary approach to disease management.

At the meeting, Prof.Dr. Stefan Deflorian, Director of Tyrolean Regional Hospitals (TILAK-one of the largest hospital groups in Austria)  and Dr. Irakli Kokhreidze Associate Professor of Tbilisi State Medical University talked about the significance of  implementation of the European medical experience in the Clinics of Georgia. It was noted, that Tbilisi State Medical University created all necessary conditions: the clinics are equipped with the latest apparatus and devices  making these clinics unique in whole South Caucasus region.

Prof. Irakli Kokhreidze expressed a desire TSMU clinics to host the leadership and clinicians from Tyrol university clinic: during the visits, which will have a permanent character, foreign Professors will provide free consultations and operations for Georgian patients at both TSMU First University Clinic and TSMU G.Zhvania Pediatric Academic Clinic.  

Prof. Dr. Stefan Deflorian was glad to accept the proposal and noted that the initial phase for  development and implementation of this project is elaboration of the plan that should be proved by the Board of  Tyrol University Clinic which is expected to take place in autumn this year.

Within the frame of the visit, Prof. Irakli Kokhreidze met with Prof. Wolfgang Buchberger, Clinical Director of Tyrol University Clinic. Together with Prof. Wolfgang Buchberger  he participated  in the multidisciplinary planning of patients’ treatment- in the so-called Tumor Board.

It should be emphasized that actually, Tyrol University Clinic holds the multidisciplinary meetings in all directions providing the highest quality of diagnostics and treatment. During the visit, Prof. Irakli Kokhreidze was introduced to the details of professional activities of Prof. Wolfgang Buchberger; attended the biopsy manipulation performed due to nonpalpable breast cancer using so-called breast Magnetic Resonance Tomography. Actually, in Tyrol region as well as in a whole Austria breast cancer is diagnosed at preclinical stages in 90% of cases using screening programs. 

In addition, using the nuclear-magnetic tomography and ultrasonography methods for breast cancer screening, which is an integral part of protocol developed by the Innsbruck University Clinic, makes diagnostics and treatment even more highly effective.

Working meetings were held with Prof. Christian Freishlag, the First Deputy Head of Neurosurgery Department and Prof. W. Eisner, one of the leading  neurosurgeon of the Clinic  who conducted  the most difficult operation for the Georgian soldier wounded at  Russian – Georgian war  in 2008. Thanks to him and his team, the Georgian soldier will soon return to his professional activities.

Talking to Prof.Dr. Eisner, Prof.  Kokhreidze emphasized that Neurosurgery Department of the TSMU First University Clinic  is fully equipped with ultramodern apparatus and devices allowing to provide  the most complicated  surgeries on brain and/or spinal cord at injuries, cancer and  vascular pathologies. According to the foreign neurosurgeons they are ready to visit Tbilisi and deliver lectures for TSMU  students on  modern trends in neurosurgery, modern principles for diagnosis and treatment of neurosurgical profile. European colleagues expressed their willingness to provide totally gratuitous free consultations and operations for Georgian patients.

The meeting with Prof. Dr. Gerhard Gaedicke, Director of Children's Oncology and Hematology Clinic turned out to be a special. A live legend of Pediatric Oncology and world-renowned physician-oncologist founded the Children's Oncology Department,  first at  Charité University Clinic and later at the Tyrol University Clinic, where lots of patients not only from Austria  but also from different countries of the world are treated today. Prof. Dr. Gerhard Gaedicke expressed a wish to be involved in the cooperation project (direction - Oncology and Hematology) developed between Tyrol region university clinics and TSMU.

The fact that every year hundreds surgeries are carried out at the Clinic of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of Tyrol region University Clinic is of great significance.

In addition to the aesthetic and plastic surgeries the specialist of this field are  carrying  out  the most difficult operations on blood vessels, nerves and tendons;  reconstruction of lost organs with restoration of their functional abilities. Prof. Irakli Kokhreidze also talked about significance of sharing experiences and development of future cooperation met with Prof. Dr. Gerhard Pierer, Director of the Clinic of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Prof. Dr. Gerhard Pierer expressed a desire not only to visit Georgia, but also invite Georgian specialist to his Clinic in order to get practical experience in plastic and reconstructive surgery. 

At meeting with Prof. Cristian Mart, Director of the Clinic of Obstetrcis and Gynecology Georgian colleague talked about  the opportunities  of Obstetrcis and Gynecology Department  at TSMU First University Clinic.

It was noted that more attention should be paid to professional training of the students at patient's bedside, operating rooms or daily practice.  At the end of the meeting Austrian professor confirmed the readiness to held the Conference of Onco-Gynecologists which will be focused on the current issues of the field in Tbilisi by the end of this year.

During the visit, Prof. Irakli Kokhreidze was introduced to the work and activities of the Department of Radio-Oncology as well. It is doubly proud and pleased that our countrywoman and TSMU alumni Dr. Irma Kvitsaridze are the Head and Chief specialist at the Department of Stereotaxics and Radiosurgery of Tyrol Region University Clinic.

Every day lots of complex radiosurgical manipulations are carried out under her supervision, returning the chance of recovery and  life to hopelessly patients.

Prof. Irakli Kokhreidze attended the repeated radiosurgical ablation of brain metastatic melanoma.

The mentioned manipulation is a single procedure and irradiation cumulative dose amounts to 20 g; actually, the manipulation is carried out on an outpatient basis and the patient stay at the Clinic only 1 night.

Radiosurgery, as the highest peak of development of oncology and especially radiation oncology is a daily routine  at the University Clinic of Tyrol. Here, the patients with both primary and metastatic tumors are treated; post-operative treatment is carried out as well.

 Prof. Irakli Kokhreidze was warmly welcomed by Prof. Peter Lucas, Director of the Clinic of Radiation Oncology who has also expressed a strong desire for cooperation. Prof. Irakli Kokhreidze gave an interview concerning to the visit to Innsbruck University Clinic to the television of University Clinic.

He expressed a hope that collaboration between the internationally recognized medical institution and Tbilisi State Medical University clinics will move to fundamentally new level that will give the real opportunity to TSMU students, doctors and nurses of TSMU clinics to be acquainted with the achievements European medicine and became the founders of innovations in medical field.