Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery

Inselspital Bern

With its current structure, the university clinic covers the full range of plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, as well as hand and peripheral nerve surgery. As a tertiary care center, it receives complex cases referred from other hospitals for further treatment.

To the Inselspital website

Chief Physician Hand Surgery & Co-Director Hand Surgery

Prof. Esther Vögelin

Chief Physician Plastic Surgery & Co-Director Plastic Surgery

Prof. Mihai Constantinescu

Profile, Research Focus Areas of the Clinic:

Research Areas & Leadership

  • Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (Prof. Mihai Constantinescu)
  • Hand Surgery and Peripheral Nerve Surgery (Prof. Esther Vögelin)

Plastic Surgery

  • 3D-assisted aesthetic tissue reconstruction
  • Innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for ischemic tissue and malignant skin tumors
  • Innovations and outcome analyses in free tissue transfer

Hand Surgery

  • Minimally invasive treatment using arthroscopy for carpal injuries
  • Novel techniques for peripheral nerve repair

Hand Therapy

  • Prospective and retrospective clinical research to improve therapeutic outcomes and patient care

Basic Research

  • Vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA)
  • Ischemia–reperfusion injury
  • Nanoparticle-based therapeutic approaches for nerve injury and surgical complications

Teaching & Talent Development

  • Educational programs for students in Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Occupational and Physical Therapy, and Molecular Life Sciences
  • Outreach activities (e.g. “Swiss Youth in Science”)
  • Mentoring of graduation projects supported by the Swiss Academy of Sciences

External Partners

Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Jena, Germany; Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Switzerland; Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium; Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore, India; Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Switzerland; Laboratory for Movement Biomechanics, ETH Zurich; Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland; Department of Orthopaedics and Surgery, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium; Swibrace Ltd, Fribourg, Switzerland; Department of Mechanical Engineering, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences Fribourg, Switzerland; Réseau Hospitalier Neuchâtelois (RHNe), clinique de la main, Neuchâtel, Switzerland, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA

Grants

  • US Army DoD RTRP grant nr. HT94252410165 (09/2024 – 02/2026) under the leadership of PD Dr. med. Radu Olariu
  • Competitive Nachwuchsförderungs-Grant for Translational Research from the University of Bern under the leadership of Dr. med. Esin Rothenfluh
  • Grant from Medartis AG under the leadership of Dr. med. Esin Rothenfluh in collaboration with the Laboratory of Biomechanics at ETH Zurich
  • BEARS Foundation Basic Science Grant (09/2024-08/2025) under the leadership of Dr. med. Remy Liechti in collaboration with the University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
  • Swiss Universities Medicus Student Exchange Program Grant (09/2024-08/2025) under the leadership of Dr. med. Remy Liechti in collaboration with the University of Rochester Medical Center, NY

Highlights 2025

Design of a chimeric osteocutaneous SCIP-flap for microvascular transfer.

Individualized reconstructions of complex osteocutaneous defects using the SCIP-flap

Reconstruction of complex composite defects involving both soft tissue in the extremities remains a significant challenge in reconstructive surgery. These injuries often result from high-energy trauma or severe infection and will result in amputation of the leg or arm if not addressed adequately. In this study we share our experience, technical refinements and potential pitfall, highlighting the versatility of the osteocutaneous SCIP in providing patient-specific reconstructive solutions for limb salvage.

Zubler et al., J Hand Microsurg. 2025

Work incapacity depending on the presence of malunion. The colored area marks the 95% confidence intervals of the respective work incapacities.

The epidemiology of scaphoid fractures and non-unions in Switzerland: a nationwide analysis of the socioeconomic impact

Scaphoid fractures are the most common carpal fractures and carry a high risk of functional impairment when they fail to heal. In our nationwide analysis of more than 16000 scaphoid fractures we statistically evaluated demographic factors, the progression rate to non-union and the resulting impact on long-term work incapacity. This work provides comprehensive evidence that non-unions markedly increase long-term work incapacity, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis and optimal management of these injuries.

Rothenfluh et al., Sci Rep. 2025

Inserting the cancellous bone graft through the insulin syringes under arthroscopic view (A), non-union line (B), filled gap of debrided scaphoid non-union (C), postoperative radiographs and arthroscopic approach scars.

Arthroscopic versus open surgery for scaphoid non-union: A retrospective case-control study

This retrospective case-control study compared arthroscopic-assisted and open surgical reconstruction for scaphoid non-union in a well-matched patient cohort. Functional outcomes, including wrist range of motion and grip strength, as well as complication and reoperation rates, were comparable between both techniques at mid-term follow-up. Radiological assessment demonstrated similar final union rates and carpal alignment; however, arthroscopic treatment was associated with a significantly faster early consolidation at three months. Importantly, this accelerated union was achieved without compromising wrist motion, strength, or increasing postoperative pain or complication rates. These findings support arthroscopic reconstruction as a reliable, minimally invasive, and time-efficient alternative to open surgery for scaphoid non-union in appropriately selected patients.

Bernadette Tobler receiving the 2025 SGHR Award

2025 SGHR-Award

Bernadette Tobler-Ammann, scientific researcher and Head of Hand Therapy Research at Inselspital Bern, received the 2025 SGHR Award for the best abstract of all hand therapy free paper sessions at the Swiss National Hand Surgery and Hand Therapy Conference in Lugano, held on 27–28 November 2025. Her presentation was titled “Effect of MCPJ Differential Angle and RM Orthotic Design on IPJ Mechanics: A Biomechanical Study (Bernadette Tobler-Ammann, Tamara Hauri, Fabienne Neff, Esther Vögelin).” The award, valued at CHF 1,000, supports participation in an upcoming EFSHT or IFSHT congress.